UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2016/2017
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN NETWORK FORENSICS
AND COMPUTER SECURITY
DNF405 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
DATE: AUGUST, 2017 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer question ONE and any other TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE (30 MARKS) – COMPULSORY
a) In your own words explain why Forensic science is important. (5 Marks)
b) Explain the following types of prisoners. (5 Marks)
i. The right guy
ii. The rat or squealer
iii. The centre man
iv. The tough
v. The gorilla
c) Explain how the factors may discourage involvement in a residential treatment
program for inmates. (10 Marks)
d) There are numerous professional positions and employment possibilities for forensic
psychologists. They can be practiced at several different employment settings.
Explain. (10 Marks)
QUESTION TWO (20 MARKS)
a) Distinguish between forensic psychiatry and Forensic psychology. (4 Marks)
b) Explain with examples the type of person seen by forensic mental health clinicians.
(5 Marks)
c) The prison department faces a myriad of challenges in their quest to offer a habitable
environment for inmates explain any five (5 Marks)
d) A forensic psychologist’s interactions with and ethical responsibilities to the client
differ widely from those of a psychologist dealing with a client in a clinical setting
explain any six aspects. (6 Marks)
QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)
a) Explain any measures that can be taken to ease transition from prison to “free world.”
(5 Marks)
b) In your own words explain crime prevention effectiveness of incapacitation policies
to prevent crime. (6 Marks)
c) Offenders or alleged offenders may be referred to a forensic mental health service or
practitioner by a range of organisations, list any four such organizations. (4 Marks)
d) Forensic practitioners strive for accuracy, honesty, and truthfulness in the science,
teaching, and practice of forensic psychology and they strive to resist partisan
pressures to provide services in any ways that might tend to be misleading or
inaccurate. Give Five guidelines that forensic experts must adhere to.
(5 Marks)
QUESTION THREE (20 MARKS)
a) In the forensic context as in the medical setting, DNA information is personal, and a
person’s privacy and need for confidentiality should be respected. The release of DNA
information on a criminal population without the subjects’ permission for purposes other than
law enforcement should be considered a misuse of the information, and legal sanctions
should be established to deter the unauthorized dissemination or procurement of DNA
information that was obtained for forensic purposes.Outline ethical considerations for DNA
profiling. (5 Marks)
b) Psychological tests fall into several categories; explain any five. (10 Marks)
c) List down any 5 characteristics that a patient suffering from psychotic personality
disorder may exhibit (5 Marks)
QUESTION FOUR (20 MARKS)
a) Borderline personality disorder is diagnosed when there is persistent pattern of unstable
interpersonal relationships, mood and self-image, as well as distinct impulsive
behaviour. Explain any five signs of personality disorder. (5 Marks)
b) Differentiate between the following terms (4 Marks)
i. Non-psychotic illness
ii. Psychotic illness
c) Forensic psychologists also assist with law enforcement. They work in collaboration
with the police force or other law enforcement agencies. Outline other duties of other
duties of law enforcement psychologists. (5 Marks)
d) list down any six Mental health conditions that may be diagnosed and treated by a
psychiatrist (6 Marks)
QUESTION FIVE (20 MARKS)
a) The rapidity of DNA profiling acceptance reflects the technology’s solid foundation
in molecular genetics. This foundation accounts for the technology’s formidable, and
rarely challenged, reputation for accurate identification based on objective
observations. Give limitations and safeguards on collection, retention and use of DNA
samples. (5 Marks)
b) Describe the stages involved in a jury reaching a verdict and the main influences on
this process. (10 Marks)
c) Forensic practitioners recognize that relationships are established with those who retain
their services (e.g., retaining parties, employers, insurers, the court) and those with whom
they interact (e.g., examinees, collateral contacts, research participants, students). Forensic
practitioners recognize that associated obligations and duties vary as a function of the nature
of the relationship. Explain. (5 Marks)
