NCJ Number
45830
Date Published
1976
Length
142 pages
Annotation
THIS TRANSLATION OF PORTIONS OF A RUSSIAN DOCUMENT EXAMINES THE ROLE OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, IN JUDGE SELECTION, IN COURT PROCEEDINGS WITH FOCUS ON THE DEFENDANT, AND IN CORRECTIONS.
Abstract
SINCE IN THE SOVIET UNION THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IS NOT LIMITED TO ESTABLISHING GUILT AND DEFINING PUNISHMENT, BUT ALSO INCLUDES EDUCATION, THE STUDY OF PSYCHOLOGY IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THIS EDUCATION IS DEFINED AS THE CORRECTION AND REEDUCATION OF PERSONS WHO HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES AS WELL AS AN EDUCATION OF ALL CITIZENS TO RESPECT LAW AND AUTHORITY. AFTER TWO SECTIONS DISCUSSING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN THE SOVIET UNION AND THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF EDUCATION IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, METHODS OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY ARE DISCUSSED. TECHNIQUES FOR STUDYING PERSONALITY THROUGH OBSERVATION AND EXPERIMENT ARE DESCRIBED AND FOOTNOTED FROM THE RUSSIAN LITERATURE. METHODS FOR INFLUENCING THE PERSONALITY AND FOR TESTING MENTAL QUALITIES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE METHOD OF FORENSIC PSYCHOANALYSIS IS DETAILED. THE SECTION ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE BEGINS WITH THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, CONDUCTED BY THE COURT ITSELF IN THE U.S.S.R. METHODS THE EXAMINING MAGISTRATE CAN USE TO ELICIT INFORMATION IN SPITE OF THE HIGHLY EMOTIONAL CRIMINAL SETTING, THE NEED FOR OBJECTIVE ANALYSIS, AND METHODS OF INTERROGATION ARE DETAILED. THE SECTION ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF COURT PROCEEDINGS DETAIL THE IMPORTANCE OF RATIONAL, RESPONSIBLE JUDGES, AND THE NECESSITY FOR MAINTAINING A SPIRIT OF INQUIRY IN SPITE OF THE EMOTIONALISM SURROUNDING A CRIMINAL TRIAL. THE SECTION ON CORRECTIVE LABOR INSTITUTIONS DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF A TOTAL CHANGE IN ATTITUDE, OFTEN MANIFESTED BY VOLUNTARY CONFESSION OF FORMER CRIMES THAT HAD NOT BEEN KNOWN AND A DECLARATION THAT THE PRISONER DESIRES TO COMPENSATE FOR MATERIAL HARM IMPOSED. USE OF THE COLLECTIVE LABOR FARM TO FOSTER CORRECT ATTITUDES IS DISCUSSED, TOGETHER WITH THE USE OF DIRECT PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE OFFENDER'S SITUATION AFTER INCARCERATION SHOULD BE PREDETERMINED BY THE CORRECTIONS ADMINISTRATION TO INSURE PLACEMENT IN AN ENVIRONMENT MORE CONDUCIVE TO PROPER BEHAVIOR THAN THE ONE FROM WHICH THE OFFENDER CAME. (GLR)