In this lecture, you will understand how research in forensic psychology is conducted.

You will explore key methods such as quantitative and qualitative approaches, case studies, and the ethical challenges involved in studying criminal behaviour.

In this lecture, you will learn how to critically evaluate research in forensic psychology.

We will explore bias, media distortion, and the limits of psychological prediction — helping you distinguish between reliable evidence and misleading conclusions.

In this lecture, you will explore the main psychological theories used to explain criminal behaviour.

You will understand how biological, social, and environmental factors interact, and why crime cannot be explained by a single cause.

In this lecture, you will explore the psychological explanations of sexual offending.

You will examine developmental, cognitive, behavioural, and biological factors that contribute to this behaviour, and how these frameworks are used to understand risk and intervention.

In this lecture, you will explore the psychological factors behind violent crime and aggression.

You will examine impulsivity, trauma, situational triggers, and key theoretical perspectives used to understand violent behaviour.

In this lecture, you will explore fire-setting behaviour and other rare offending patterns.

You will examine underlying motivations, psychological profiles, and how such behaviours are understood and assessed in forensic psychology.

In this lecture, you will explore how personality traits relate to criminal behaviour.

You will examine key risk markers, and the role of environment versus individual disposition in shaping offending patterns.

In this mini case analysis, you will apply psychological theories to a real-world case.

Using the Chris Watts case, we will explore how factors such as personality, relationships, stress, and situational pressures can contribute to violent offending — not to sensationalise the case, but to understand it through a forensic psychology lens.

In this lecture, you will explore the link between personality disorders and criminal behaviour.

You will examine key features, diagnosis, and how certain personality patterns are associated with offending, as well as how these traits can also appear in the general population.

In this lecture, you will explore what psychopathy really is — and what it is often misunderstood to be.

You will examine how psychopathy is defined and identified, and whether most offenders can truly be considered “psychopaths.”

In this lecture, you will explore the relationship between mental illness and offending.

You will examine conditions such as schizophrenia and substance misuse, and consider the risks of over-pathologising criminal behaviour.

In this lecture, you will explore what offender profiling is and how it is used in criminal investigations.

You will examine how profiles are developed, what they can realistically tell us, and the limitations of this approach.

In this lecture, you will explore the main approaches to offender profiling.

You will examine the FBI model, investigative psychology, and geographical profiling, and understand how these approaches differ in theory, method, and application.

In this lecture, you will evaluate whether offender profiling actually works in practice.

You will examine the evidence, key criticisms, and how profiling is used in real-world investigations.

In this lecture, you will explore how crimes are actually solved in modern investigations.

You will examine the roles of psychology, forensic evidence, and technology, and understand why successful cases rely on a combination of methods rather than a single approach.

In this lecture, you will explore how memory affects eyewitness testimony.

You will examine false memories, the difference between confidence and accuracy, and why eyewitness accounts can be unreliable in criminal cases.

In this mini case analysis, you will explore how false confessions can occur under psychological pressure.

Using the Central Park Five case, we will examine memory distortion, suggestibility, and interrogation dynamics, and how these factors can lead individuals to confess to crimes they did not commit.

In this lecture, you will explore the role of expert witnesses in presenting psychological evidence in court.

You will examine ethical considerations, potential bias, and the limitations of expert testimony within legal proceedings.

In this lecture, you will explore how victims are perceived within the justice system.

You will examine victim blaming, jury attitudes, and media influence, and how these factors can shape outcomes in criminal cases.

In this mini case analysis, you will examine the role of offender profiling in a real investigation.

Using the Golden State Killer case, we will explore the gap between profiling expectations and reality, and what actually contributed to identifying the offender.

In this lecture, you will explore what reduces re-offending in practice.

You will examine the “What Works” model and how evidence-based rehabilitation approaches are used to address the underlying factors linked to criminal behaviour.

In this lecture, you will explore how risk is managed and rehabilitation is approached in forensic settings.

You will examine treatment programmes and the ethical balance between control and care when working with offenders.

In this lecture, you will explore the psychology of crisis negotiation and incident management.

You will examine how crises affect thinking and behaviour, and the communication strategies used to de-escalate high-risk situations.

Have a look at the instructions on how to obtain or request your certificate.

In this final lecture, you will review the key concepts from the course, reflect on the ethical aspects of forensic psychology, and complete the final quiz to obtain your certificate.