JSB174 Forensic Psychology and the Justice System
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | JSB174 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | PYB215 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | The Commonwealth supported place student contribution amount for this unit depends upon the course of study. Find out more |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,456 |
| International unit fee | $4,932 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | JSB174 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Anti-requisite: | PYB215 |
| Coordinator: | Claire Ferguson | claire.ferguson@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Forensic Psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of psychology globally. Psychologists are now involved significantly in all stages of the criminal justice system. The term 'forensic' literally means 'of or used in law courts' (Australian Oxford Paperback Dictionary). The phrase 'psychology and the justice system', however, is now used more generally to describe the different ways in which psychology and law intersect - namely psychology in the law (assessing clinical issues), psychology and the law (researching experimental and policy issues), and psychology of the law (examining legal processes and policy analysis). By its very nature the study of psychology and the justice system draws from a multidisciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will need a broad appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) what the study of psychology involves.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Source and assess evidence from forensic clients to draw objective conclusions and make recommendations in justice systems.
- Apply psychology theories and research to explain behaviour in forensic contexts.
- Discuss the ethical and social justice implications of policies and psychological approaches.
- Effectively communicate key concepts of forensic psychology for a professional audience.
Content
This unit covers the following:
- Foundations of forensic psychology as a discipline
- Investigating criminal behaviour: profiling, confessions, eyewitnesses, line-up proecedures, offender mental health
- Court processes: domestic and family violence assessment, expert testimony law and policy, criminal responsibility and fitness policy, juries
- Dealing with crime: treatment of offenders, impacts on victims, psychology in corrections and communities
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - live and recorded
- tutorials - face-to-face or online
- readings, media and video resources.
The emphasis will be on learning through quality collaboration and interaction and active participation in lectures and tutorials and through analysis of set readings and cases.
This unit leverages technology to facilitate active learning experiences for both internal and online students. This approach will use a range of media including web-based technologies, online collaborative learning, streaming audio, video and text-based resources.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas site.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit:
1. Virtual Forensic Case Report - this task draws on forensic psychology principles and approaches and asks you to act as a research assistant to critically assess a case in the form of a virtual presentation.
2. Exam - this task asks you to respond to a range of questions about the unit content.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Virtual Forensic Case Report
You will act as a research assistant for a professional forensic psychology firm and critically assess a case. You will prepare and record a virtual presentation that applies the scholarly literature to the case.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam
You will respond to a range of questions about the unit content, including theories of forensic psychology and the justice system, and your ability to apply critical thinking skills to various issues within the field of forensic psychology.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Pozzulo, J, Bennell, C & Forth, A (2018). Forensic Psychology, 6th edition. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Virtual Forensic Case Report, Exam - Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, Virtual Forensic Case Report, Exam - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO3, Exam - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO4, Virtual Forensic Case Report
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Online
| Unit code: | JSB174 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Anti-requisite: | PYB215 |
Overview
Forensic Psychology is one of the fastest growing areas of psychology globally. Psychologists are now involved significantly in all stages of the criminal justice system. The term 'forensic' literally means 'of or used in law courts' (Australian Oxford Paperback Dictionary). The phrase 'psychology and the justice system', however, is now used more generally to describe the different ways in which psychology and law intersect - namely psychology in the law (assessing clinical issues), psychology and the law (researching experimental and policy issues), and psychology of the law (examining legal processes and policy analysis). By its very nature the study of psychology and the justice system draws from a multidisciplinary base for the application of specialised knowledge. As a student of this discipline area, you will need a broad appreciation of (and a critical perspective on) what the study of psychology involves.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Source and assess evidence from forensic clients to draw objective conclusions and make recommendations in justice systems.
- Apply psychology theories and research to explain behaviour in forensic contexts.
- Discuss the ethical and social justice implications of policies and psychological approaches.
- Effectively communicate key concepts of forensic psychology for a professional audience.
Content
This unit covers the following:
- Foundations of forensic psychology as a discipline
- Investigating criminal behaviour: profiling, confessions, eyewitnesses, line-up proecedures, offender mental health
- Court processes: domestic and family violence assessment, expert testimony law and policy, criminal responsibility and fitness policy, juries
- Dealing with crime: treatment of offenders, impacts on victims, psychology in corrections and communities
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
- lectures - live and recorded
- tutorials - face-to-face or online
- readings, media and video resources.
The emphasis will be on learning through quality collaboration and interaction and active participation in lectures and tutorials and through analysis of set readings and cases.
This unit leverages technology to facilitate active learning experiences for both internal and online students. This approach will use a range of media including web-based technologies, online collaborative learning, streaming audio, video and text-based resources.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises discussed and undertaken throughout the unit
- feedback from peers as you investigate and discuss issues raised throughout the unit
- comments about summative assessment work included with your grade
- general summative assessment feedback posted to the whole cohort via the unit Canvas site.
Assessment
Overview
There are two assessments in this unit:
1. Virtual Forensic Case Report - this task draws on forensic psychology principles and approaches and asks you to act as a research assistant to critically assess a case in the form of a virtual presentation.
2. Exam - this task asks you to respond to a range of questions about the unit content.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Virtual Forensic Case Report
You will act as a research assistant for a professional forensic psychology firm and critically assess a case. You will prepare and record a virtual presentation that applies the scholarly literature to the case.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools is allowed to help you study and find out more about the topic; noting AI-generated content may not be accurate, reliable, or may display bias. Any content generated may not be copied and included in your final submission.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Exam
You will respond to a range of questions about the unit content, including theories of forensic psychology and the justice system, and your ability to apply critical thinking skills to various issues within the field of forensic psychology.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Pozzulo, J, Bennell, C & Forth, A (2018). Forensic Psychology, 6th edition. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Education
Risk Assessment Statement
Students are advised that some content in justice units may be confronting. If you are concerned that the content of a unit may impact your completion of the course, please see the unit coordinator. You can also access free student counselling through QUT Counselling via the QUT Student Homepage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.JS34 Bachelor of Justice
- Apply social and criminal justice principles to explain justice issues and contexts.
Relates to: ULO2, Virtual Forensic Case Report, Exam - Collect and analyse evidence to inform decisions and recommendations in justice systems.
Relates to: ULO1, Virtual Forensic Case Report, Exam - Apply culturally safe and inclusive approaches to work with diverse communities and people as a Justice professional.
Relates to: ULO3, Exam - Communicate justice and social issues in respectful, professional and ethical ways with other professionals and stakeholders.
Relates to: ULO4, Virtual Forensic Case Report