Course Syllabus

Course Description

Prerequisite: A course in psychology at the university level.

What makes people commit crime? Are there gender differences? What is the role of memory? How are assessments and interventions conducted with those convicted of a serious crime, or those who have been the victim of a crime?  Forensic psychology will be explored from individual to societal levels, with critical analysis of and examples from a European perspective.

This course will provide a detailed overview of current research issues and theories in forensic psychology. The goal of this course is to introduce you to some representative areas of forensic psychology and to teach you how psychology research contributes to the legal system. You will be introduced to the methods used by forensic psychologists to prevent crimes by exploring a number of studies devoted to topics related to forensic psychology.

This course will give you a sense of what forensic psychologists have discovered, how they have made these discoveries, and how it contributes to the legal system.

You will be introduced to and acquire knowledge about the following topics related to the study of forensic psychology:

• The comparison of legal system: USA vs. Nordic countries
• Victimology
• Eyewitness
• Deception detection
• False confessions
• Interrogative techniques
• Juries and decision making

Learning Objectives

• Introduce specific forensic psychological and criminological concepts, theories, and research that interface with legal systems.
• Critically evaluate the benefit of forensic psychological and criminological knowledge and analyses, understand and apply this knowledge in order to suggest solutions to judicial system.
• Develop critical analysis skills towards understanding of the criminal justice system.
• Develop academic writing skills and capability of communicating academic material to the public.

Faculty

Sara Hellqvist Bailey

MPhil, Dept. of Psychology, Stockholm University. PhD candidate in criminology, Dept. of Criminology, Stockholm University. Lecturer in Applied Criminology, Gävle University. Research areas: wrongful convictions, access-to-justice; law in books vs law in action; true crime productions and consumption. With DIS since 2025. 

Course Layout

Detailed descriptions of lecture content and required readings for each lecture will be made available in the Modules section on Canvas.

We will meet for three hours each day. Please regularly check the calendar for specific times.

Classroom E-510 unless otherwise informed.

Readings

Required Articles:

Christie, N. (1986). The ideal victim. In From crime policy to victim policy: Reorienting the justice system (pp. 17-30). London: Palgrave Macmillan UK.

Garrett, B. L. (2020). Wrongful convictions. Annual Review of Criminology, 3(1), 245-259.

LaChance, D., & Kaplan, P. (2020). Criminal justice in the middlebrow imagination: The punitive dimensions of Making a Murderer. Crime, media, culture, 16(1), 81-96.

Marino, M. (2008). Profile of Robert J. Sampson. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(3), 842-844.

Sahlin Lilja, H. (2024). Fear of Crime as a Punitive Project—The Swedish Case. Critical Criminology, 1-18.

Schclarek Mulinari, L. (2025). Sweden’s race to the bottom: Advancing a racial security state. Race & Class, 66(3), 17-34

Tomlin, J., & Völlm, B. (2022). Marginalisation and diversity in forensic mental health care: An introduction. In Diversity and Marginalisation in Forensic Mental Health Care (pp. 3-8). Routledge.

Warner, S. (2015). Forensic psychology: Clinical and critical. In Handbook of Critical Psychology (pp. 96-103). Routledge.

More articles will be added. Please check the Modules for the required readings prior to each class.

Field Studies 

Field study 1 - Witch Walk 

Description: Travel back in time and explore the perhaps original "Miscarriage of Justice" phenomenon - the witch hunt and the following trials. 

Objectives: Placing criminal justice in a historical perspective and start to critically explore the concept of criminalization and punishment and its consequences for the targeted individuals, and to question to what extent justice always is just. 

Field study 2 - Stockholm University

Description: This field study provides the students with the opportunity to travel to a different campus to attend a distinguished guest lecture by Professor Robert J. Sampson. This lecture offers an essential expansion beyond reductionist models that locate criminal behavior primarily within individual deficits or static risk factors. Professor Sampson’s research shifts the analytic lens from who we are to when we are born, demonstrating how structural transformations shape exposure to risk and opportunity.

Objectives: Through this field study, students deepen their understanding of how crime, development, and justice are embedded within social and historical processes, which is an essential competency for critical, research-informed forensic practice.

Field study 3 - Stockholm Prison Island 

Description: Visit the location Langholmen where Sweden’s biggest and probably most famous prison was located and active during 250 years, until 1975. 

Objectives: To learn about role of punishment and pains of imprisonment by exploring the concepts in the context of history. 

Field study 4 - ECPAT (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking)

ECPAT International is a global network of civil society organizations that works to end the sexual exploitation of children. It focuses on halting the online sexual exploitation of children, the trafficking of children for sexual purposes and the sexual exploitation of children in the travel and tourism industry. Fabiola Lind Vasquez, investigator at the hotline will present Ecpat and the hotline.

Sensitive content notice (!)

During this field study we will be listening to experts talk about Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and their experiences working to combat CSAM. 

International Workshop: "Red Light, Green Light" (ECPAT International & Anti-Slavery Australia)

In this workshop, organized by ECPAT International and Anti-Slavery Australia, you will examine how children can become vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse through online platforms and commercial websites (that may not be specifically designed for minors). Through a hands-on, interactive format, you will learn to identify risk indicators and assess how digital environments (often unintentionally) create conditions in which children may be exploited, with a focus on corporate due diligence and the responsibilities of online service providers.

Guest Lecturers

Erika Hedlund holds a PhD in criminology. Her main area of research includes prisoners experiences of being imprisoned with a focus on gendered pains of imprisonment.

Kaisa Tammi works as a Prison Governor in Finland, praised for her work to improve the humane treatment of inmates as well as the exchange of professional knowledge and experience within the criminal sanctions sector.

Approach to Teaching

My goal as a teacher is to stimulate you to think critically about the concept of crime and the criminal justice system - and the different arenas and actors within that setting -  by familiarize you with a selection of theories and concepts, to help you explore their relevance in today´s society and their macro- and micro level implications. A variety of teaching methods will be used, including lectures, case studies, class discussions, group presentations, interactive classroom activities and multi-media. My role is not to present a mountain of facts for you to learn by heart, but rather to introduce a toolbox for critically thinking about crime and the criminal justice system. Together we will explore the field of forensic psychology and learn to problematize its containing elements.  

Expectations of the Students

You are expected to :

• Take an active and participatory role by being involved in discussion, asking questions and completing assignments.
• Work both individually and in groups. 
• Treat each other with respect, and be tolerant to different opinions.
• Be willing to take an academic approach to difficult and emotional subjects.
• Bring laptops to class, as you will be completing writing assignments during class.

Please note the following rules:

• Hand in assignments on time.
• Complete all readings prior to class.
• This course will rely heavily on the Canvas system, and you will be responsible for checking updated information on Canvas.
• Be punctual and attend all classes; missing classes without a legitimate excuse will result in a lower final grade.
• Notify the instructor in case of illness or any other absence from class or field studies.
• The use of recording devices are not allowed, unless permission has been granted from the relevant academic member of staff.

Evaluation

A number of diverse tasks will be given throughout the semester to address the learning objectives. Emphasis will be on engaged participation, and may include individual and/or group based written/oral tasks. Projects may be given that will explore topics experientially.

To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.

Grading

Methods of Evaluation	How is it evaluated? (Individual or group)	Due Date	Percent
Engaged participation	Individual	Ongoing	20%
Assignment 1: wrongful conviction case study (oral)	Group	See Calendar	15%
Assignment 2: theories of criminal behavior (oral)	Group	See Calendar	15%
Assignment 3: a reflective essay (written)	Individual	See Calendar	50%
Total			100%

Engaged Participation (20%):

Participation in class requires arriving on time and being prepared in relation to readings, assignments, and class-reading presentations. Your participation grade reflects the significance of being active in this course, which heavily relies on reflections, discussions, and in-class and out-of-class exercises. Active participation is crucial in both the classroom, during field studies, and in group work. Attendance is mandatory. 

In order to be exempt from the absence penalty you need to: 1. email the faculty at least 2 hours before the class. 2. make up the excused absence by writing a 2 page summary of the assigned readings for the missed class. 

Assignment 1: wrongful conviction case study (15%)

Assignment 3: a reflective essay (50%)

Detailed assignment descriptions and/or rubrics will be made available on Assignments on Canvas and/or in class. 

Policy on use of AI tools: Limited use allowed. The use of AI writing tools like ChatGPT in this course is restricted to specific stages such as brainstorming and making research plans or outlines. The primary content of assignments should reflect your knowledge, creativity, and critical thinking. As with all sources of information and ideas, ensure that all AI contributions are correctly cited.

Academic Accommodations

If you have approved academic accommodations with DIS, please make sure I receive your DIS accommodations letter within two weeks from the start of classes. If you can think of other ways I can support your learning, please don't hesitate to talk to me. If you have any further questions about your academic accommodations, contact Academic Support acadsupport@disstockholm.se