Corso di laurea magistrale in Psicologia criminologica e forense

The teaching course is aimed to:

a. Provide knowledge about the role of the brain and its alterations in behavior and the consequences in the forensic field. The acquisition of skills with respect to the theoretical contents proposed will be fundamental to reach an to understand how a brain alteration can impact on the legal capacity. 

b. Acquire neuropsychological skills that will be useful in drafting an expert report and in the interdisciplinary discussion in the forensic field, improving also the ability to interact with other professional figures (lawyers, judges, social workers, etc.).

c. Develop a critical competence on the use of neuropsychological methods applied to subjects with neurocognitive disorders in the forensic field.

At the end of the teaching course, the student will be able to demonstrate that he/she has acquired the following:

1) Knowledge of and ability to understand the theoretical basis of the disciplinary approach and the complex relationship between the various bodies of knowledge in the field of forensic neuropsychology;

2) Independent judgment skills through the acquisition of theoretical skills in the curricular content of the class, in the critical analysis of cases in the field of forensic neuropsychology and in the concrete exercise of writing expert opinions;

3) Communication skills through specific terminology and a non-superficial and non-dogmatic presentation of the course content.

 Module I: Forensic neuropsychology in neurocognitive disorders - (Pr. Martina Amanzio): 5 CFU

- The neuropsychological forensic examination

- The neuropsychological evaluation of agency and the executive functions

- Civil competencies: Capacity to consent to treatment and the awareness of diseases; financial capacity

- Executive dysfunction and criminal recidivism

- Acquired sociopathy in neurocognitive disorders

- Presentation of forensic neuropsychological cases

Module II: Conclusions - (Pr. Franco Cauda): 1 CFU

The course consists of 36 hours of teaching, which provide a strong interactive component between teachers and students.

Students must register with the Campusnet and Moodle platforms in order to receive communications from the lecturer and to be able to use the teaching materials.

The following aspects will be evaluated: Knowledge and understanding of the theoretical content of the course; independent judgment in the acquisition of knowledge and skills of the theoretical foundations of the disciplinary approach and the complex relationship between the different knowledge in the field of forensic neuropsychology; communicative skills in the use of the specific terminology of the course.

The final grade of the examination is weighted with the CFUs assigned to the two modules.

Module I: Professor Amanzio (5 CFU)

The assessment of the level of learning will be based on an oral exam that will cover the content of Module I.

Module II: Professor Cauda (1 CFU)

Learning is assessed by a written test on the course content: 10 multiple-choice questions (up to 10 points).

-I module. Pr. Martina Amanzio receives only by appointment (phone call or e-mail). Telephone: 011- 670 24 68. E-mail: martina.amanzio@unito.it

-II module: Pr. Franco Cauda receives only by an e-mail appointment: franco.cauda@unito.it

-Bianchi A., Gulotta G., Sartori G., Manuale di neuroscienze forensi. Giuffrè, 2009.
-Stracciari A., Bianchi A, Sartori G Neuropsicologia forense, Il Mulino ed, 2010.

For International mobility students:
-Glenn J. Larrabee. Forensic Neuropsychology: A Scientific Approach. Oxford University Press, 2005.

-Shane S. Bush, Martin L. Rohling, and George J. Demakis. APA Handbook of Forensic Neuropsychology. American Psychological Association, 1st edition, 2017.

Module I: chapters indicated during lessons.