Part 1
Question 1
According to Bartol, C. & Bartol, A. M. (2008), there are different levels of competence in adult and juvenile cases, and these differences are based on the involved party’s understanding of the law. At the same time, Bartol, C. & Bartol, A. M have explained that juvenile competence has increased, especially in the twenty first century. Some of the areas that they have cited this increased include New Hampshire, UK; New York and California. This makes them different represented, before they are brought for delinquency proceedings. However, they have maintained that the criteria for competence in juveniles and adults are not similar, and they have based these differences on the level at which these parties are affected by the law. At the same time, Bartol & Bartol described dusky standard in reference to juvenile competency, and this is the standard of defining and determining the actual standard of legal recognition to stand trial. In reference to juvenile cases, dusky standard is the ability to represent oneself in a court of law, as a minor. This was developed from the case Dusky vs. United States, 362 US 402 of (1960).
Question 2
Bartol and Bartol described the four stages of the judicial process, and these are the pre-trial, trial, the disposition stage and the appeal stage. In all these stages, it is possible to apply forensic psychology. In pre-trial stage, forensic psychology can be applied whereby the psychologists evaluate the involved parties’ personality, as well as any possible malingering of the involved parties, prior to the trial process. At the trial stage, forensic psychology might be used to predict and assess the personal jury prior to the ruling (Bartol & Bartol, 2008). The lawyers mainly apply forensic psychology at this stage. Thirdly, at the disposition stage, forensic psychology can assess the possible risk that might result from the outcome of the ruling, and lastly, it can apply at the appeal stage, by assessing the competence of the case for repeal, and how successful it might be, judging from the previous ruling, as well as the nature of the crime or civil wrong involved.
Part 2: Questions development
- Attention Deficit of Hyperactivity Disorder, otherwise referred to as ADHD, is a condition that affects people, both adults and the children. It is a common mental dysfunction disease, characterized by mental hyperactivity or minimal activity, as well as other cases, such as attention and memory challenges (Bartol & Bartol, 2008). What is the relation between this condition in children and in adults, and how can it affect competence in a juvenile or adult case in a court of law?
- Threat assessment is one of the investigative strategies that forensic psychology is using to identify any form of threat to identifiable targets (Bartol & Bartol, 2008). What are the pros and cons of using the threat assessment strategy to identify threats, as opposed to using the investigative, psychological and demographic profiles?
- Pedophiles, are in most cases, older than rapists, as their age normally range between 35 and 40 years (Bartol & Bartol, 2008). This is a psychological perspective that forensic psychology connects the criminal’s failure and denial to take full responsibility of their actions. From an analysis of pedophiles and rapists, from an age perspective, what approach to both criminals have towards their crime, and what does their level of responsibility towards their crime reflect concerning their psychological approach towards the crime?
References
Bartol, C., R. & Bartol, A., M. (2008). Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Publications, Inc., pp. 110-11, 117-153, 173-181.
