Cognitive Forensic Sciences

Educational objectives

FORENSIC DECISION-MAKING
The course aims at developing the specific theoretical knowledge and the professional skills needed to understand and assess the psychological mechanisms underlying judgments, choices, and decision errors, especially with regards to the legal, where the relevance of such topics is increasingly recognized. The lectures will be aimed at analyzing the multiple theoretical models for judgment and decision-making, as well as their experimental bases, and at discussing the effective countermeasures to decrease the impact of decision errors. The main topics will focus on the main theoretical models and methods; the normative perspective (history, models, and limitations); the psychological models; the heuristics and biases; the role of context, tasks, and information; the role of judgment and decision-making within the legal system.

Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will possess a sound critical knowledge and understanding of the main theories and methods of investigation of judgment and decision-making. They will also be able to frame this knowledge within the current scientific perspectives. Finally, they will use effectively and critically the scientific papers published on international journals.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply their knowledge, both theoretical and methodological, for devising plausible solutions to complex applied issues involving both decision-making processes and legal issues, through appropriate techniques and methods.

Making judgements
The students will be able to collect and interpret relevant information on decision-making with the aim to form evaluations and scientific hypotheses, also taking into considerations their social, and ethical implications.

Communication skills
The students will be able to communicate information, ideas, solutions, as well as their personal critical opinions and the logical processes that led to formulate those opinions, to both specialists and lay people.

Learning skills
The students will be able to apply their competence on the topics addressed during the course to further levels of study requiring a high level of autonomy.

EPISTEMOLOGY AND PROFESSIONAL ETHIC
The laboratory aims at presenting and discussing the main epistemological underlying the scientific research. Such a knowledge is needed to fully understand the meaning and the implications of the results of scientific research, even from the legal perspective. Students will be involved in the critical analysis of scientific papers from the epistemological point of view. Since the epistemological models do have ethical direct implications, students will be involved into the critical commentary of case studies from the ethical point of view.

Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course students will possess a sound critical knowledge and understanding of the main epistemological theories, framing such knowledge within the modern scientific endeavor, and deriving the ethical implications. They will also be able to use effectively and critically the scientific papers published on international journals.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will be able to apply their knowledge, both theoretical and methodological, for devising plausible solutions to complex applied issues involving both the nature of the scientific knowledge and its ethical implications, through appropriate techniques and methods.

Making judgements
Gli studenti saranno in grado di raccogliere e interpretare informazioni utili a formulare valutazioni riguardanti gli argomenti del corso in forma autonoma, tenendo in considerazione anche le loro implicazioni sociali ed etiche.

Communication skills
The students will be able to communicate information, ideas, solutions, as well as their personal critical opinions and the logical processes that led to formulate those opinions, to both specialists and lay people.

Learning skills
The students will be able to apply their competence on the topics addressed during the course to further levels of study requiring a high level of autonomy.

Educational objectives

General
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the principles governing the international
criminal justice system and to examine the new forms of judicial cooperation, based on
mutual recognition and the free movement of judicial decisions, which are gradually being
added to the traditional ones. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with
an in-depth knowledge of the main normative and jurisprudential developments in
international law and the most significant forms of impact on the criminal and justice system.
Specific
knowledge and understanding
The aim of the course is to provide students with adequate knowledge of the principles of
criminal law and the analysis of the case of crime through its constituent elements and an
understanding of the main penalties and alternative measures to the penalty.
applying knowledge and understanding
The result expected at the end of the lessons is that the student is able to apply the general
principles of criminal law and the institutions that pertain to the general part of criminal law.
making judgements
The expected result at the end of the course is that the student has developed a sufficiently
autonomous ability to analyze the constituent elements of the crime, in the light of the
constitutional principles of criminal law and the functions of criminal sanctions and
alternative measures to punishment.
communication skills
At the end of the course, the student must be able to explain the notions of criminal law
learned in an appropriate way, being able to independently make logical-legal links within the
subject, with an appropriate legal language.
learning skills
At the end of the course the expected result is that the student is able to deepen the study of
criminal law, and in particular to have acquired the tools for the decomposition into
constituent elements of each crime.

Educational objectives

General
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the procedures governing the international
criminal justice system and to examine the new forms of judicial cooperation, based on
mutual recognition and the free movement of judicial decisions, which are gradually being
added to the traditional ones. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with
an in-depth knowledge of the main procedural developments in international law and the
most significant forms of impact on the criminal and justice system.
Specific
knowledge and understanding
The aim of the course is to provide students with adequate knowledge of the principles of
criminal law and the analysis of the case of crime through its constituent elements and an
understanding of the main penalties and alternative measures to the penalty.
applying knowledge and understanding
The result expected at the end of the lessons is that the student is able to apply the general
principles of criminal law and the institutions that pertain to the general part of criminal law.
making judgements
The expected result at the end of the course is that the student has developed a sufficiently
autonomous ability to analyze the constituent elements of the crime, in the light of the
constitutional principles of criminal law and the functions of criminal sanctions and
alternative measures to punishment.
communication skills
At the end of the course, the student must be able to explain the notions of criminal law
learned in an appropriate way, being able to independently make logical-legal links within the
subject, with an appropriate legal language.
learning skills
At the end of the course the expected result is that the student is able to deepen the study of
criminal law, and in particular to have acquired the tools for the decomposition into
constituent elements of each crime.

Educational objectives

The course will provide students with a set of up-to-date knowledge on memory processes and forgetting. The course aims at providing an overview of current issues regarding memory. A focus will be placed on eyewitness testimony according to age (children, adults and the elderly). Practical aspects related to eyewitness testimony will be examined.
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The course provides students with knowledge on theories of face processing, addressing how we recognize faces, how faces are encoded and stored in memory, and the neural underpinning of face processing.
The successful completion of the course entails students acquiring knowledge of a) theories on Face Processing, and b) factors affecting Face encoding and recognition.
The course consists of two parts. Part 1 has the specific objective of providing students with knowledge on theories of face processing. Part 2 has the specific objectives of addressing evidence on how we recognize faces, how changes in perspective or in emotional expression affect face recognition, how faces are encoded and stored in memory, cross-talks between different aspects of faces, social aspects and functions of faces, developmental aspects of face processing, face recognition by eyewitnesses, recognizing faces of other groups, use of technology to identify unfamiliar faces.

Educational objectives

General
Rigorous knowledge of probabilistic models from applications to relationships with other parts of mathematics, applicable to forensic contexts.
Specific
knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired the basic concepts and results related to probability spaces, random variables, independence, laws of large numbers. characteristic functions, weak convergence, limit theorems and their application in forensic science.
applying knowledge and understanding
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to solve simple problems requiring the use of probabilistic techniques in both applications and pure mathematical problems.
making judgements
The student will have the foundation to analyze the similarities and relationships between the topics covered and topics in the Forensic Science course.
communication skills
Ability to expound the content in the oral part of the test and in any theoretical questions in the written test.
learning skills
The knowledge gained will enable a study related to more specialized aspects of the calculus of probability.

Educational objectives

The course will provide students with a set of up-to-date knowledge on memory processes and forgetting. The course aims at providing an overview of current issues regarding memory. A focus will be placed on eyewitness testimony according to age (children, adults and the elderly). Practical aspects related to eyewitness testimony will be examined.
-------
The course provides students with knowledge on theories of face processing, addressing how we recognize faces, how faces are encoded and stored in memory, and the neural underpinning of face processing.
The successful completion of the course entails students acquiring knowledge of a) theories on Face Processing, and b) factors affecting Face encoding and recognition.
The course consists of two parts. Part 1 has the specific objective of providing students with knowledge on theories of face processing. Part 2 has the specific objectives of addressing evidence on how we recognize faces, how changes in perspective or in emotional expression affect face recognition, how faces are encoded and stored in memory, cross-talks between different aspects of faces, social aspects and functions of faces, developmental aspects of face processing, face recognition by eyewitnesses, recognizing faces of other groups, use of technology to identify unfamiliar faces.

Educational objectives

Criminology.
The course aims to offer the specific theoretical knowledge and professional skills necessary to operate in the field of Criminology.
In particular, the models of Criminological Sciences and in particular applicative Criminalistics will be examined.
The aim is to provide practical skills for the reading of criminal dynamics; we will focus on the perpetrator of the crime, victimization dynamics, behavioral analysis and profiling, and the most advanced methodologies and techniques of investigation at various levels: from investigation to the contribution of the Scientific Police. Particular attention will be given to crime inside and outside the INTERNET and to discrimination and hate crimes. During the course, high-level experts with testimonies and demonstrations will intervene to offer the advanced knowledge of Criminology in its practical applications.
Victimology.
The course aims to provide the specific theoretical knowledge and professional skills needed to work with victims. Particularly, models of intervention, prevention, and support will be examined. The aim is to provide practical skills for drafting and executing prevention projects, for the execution of investigation aid programs, for psychological first aid in supporting victims in general and vulnerable victims in particular (Minors, women, the elderly, and minorities)

Educational objectives

General
The aim of the course is to acquaint students with the procedures governing the international
criminal justice system and to examine the new forms of judicial cooperation, based on
mutual recognition and the free movement of judicial decisions, which are gradually being
added to the traditional ones. The primary objective of the course is to provide students with
an in-depth knowledge of the main procedural developments in international law and the
most significant forms of impact on the criminal and justice system.
Specific
knowledge and understanding
The aim of the course is to provide students with adequate knowledge of the principles of
criminal law and the analysis of the case of crime through its constituent elements and an
understanding of the main penalties and alternative measures to the penalty.
applying knowledge and understanding
The result expected at the end of the lessons is that the student is able to apply the general
principles of criminal law and the institutions that pertain to the general part of criminal law.
making judgements
The expected result at the end of the course is that the student has developed a sufficiently
autonomous ability to analyze the constituent elements of the crime, in the light of the
constitutional principles of criminal law and the functions of criminal sanctions and
alternative measures to punishment.
communication skills
At the end of the course, the student must be able to explain the notions of criminal law
learned in an appropriate way, being able to independently make logical-legal links within the
subject, with an appropriate legal language.
learning skills
At the end of the course the expected result is that the student is able to deepen the study of
criminal law, and in particular to have acquired the tools for the decomposition into
constituent elements of each crime.

Educational objectives

The aim of the AAF is to provide students the possibility to acquire -- in applied contexts -- a wide range of specific knowledge and/or competence related to their future profession.

Educational objectives

The student will acquire theoretical-practical training in the field of forensic psychopathology and the ability to contextualize the subject in the various fields of application. In particular, the course will delve into the comprehensive assessment of the person, psychopathological disorders, and the incidence of the same in the different criminal and civil cases. The student will acquire decision making skills, delve into the different conceptual biases applied to the subject, and tools useful to his or her professionalism.
Knowledge and understanding.
Upon completion of the course, the student will have mastered the clinical tools useful for diagnosing and classifying disorders, identifying nosographic criteria, identifying the mode of onset and course of the disorder as well as effective evidence-based treatments. In addition, he or she will know how to apply this knowledge to forensic field.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
The student will be able to competently apply the acquired knowledge, in particular, he/she will be able to apply the different methods of clinical assessment, knowing the various stages of clinical interview, the most appropriate tools to arrive at diagnosis by applying international diagnostic systems.

Educational objectives

Apply knowledge, understanding, and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar topics within multidisciplinary contexts.
Learning skills to study in a manner largely self-directed or autonomous.

Educational objectives

The course will provide knowledge in light of advances in the neuroscience field. It will introduce students to the potential application of neuroscience research to forensic psychology.
The main themes of the course will include the behavioral, neurophysiological, and neuroimaging indicators related to brain activity which are looked at in relation to the neuroscientific challenge to agency and the determination of responsibility for human action.

Knowledge and understanding
Students will acquire basic knowledge in the field of neuroscience, with particular attention paid to the neural substrates of mental processes and the use of neuroscientific techniques relevant in legal and forensic contexts.

Applying knowledge and understanding
Students will develop their skills sufficiently enough to be able to critically evaluate and support arguments on the potential application of neuroscience methods and techniques to the legal field. Students will use their knowledge to effectively comprehend the scientific material proposed in the international literature.

Making judgments
The course will allow students to acquire critical judgment skills on data from neuroscientific information that plays an important role in legal and forensic psychology, including reflections on the related social and ethical implications. At the end of the course, students will be expected to be able to identify any limits connected to the use of specific neuroscientific data and techniques.

Communication skills
The neural correlates of behavior will be presented in such a way as to enable students to gain scientific language and specialized vocabulary. Through the course, students will acquire advanced communication skills enabling them to understand neuroscientific information and to carry on discussions with specialist and nonspecialist interlocutors.

Learning skills
Students will acquire the skills and competencies necessary to achieve a sufficient degree of autonomy when dealing with scientific information and recognizing the limits of current neuroscience on the study of human behavior. Students will be encouraged to consider and remain up-to-date on neuroscientific publications in legal and forensic contexts.

Educational objectives

This course is aimed at giving students specific information on human genetic variability as a means for forensic science investigations, by using genetic polymorphisms and up-to-date tools.
Knowledge and understanding.
This course provides an up-to-date knowledge of the application of genetic analyses performed on biological samples to the legal framework. By taking the course and passing the exam the student will become well acquainted with strategies and methodologies most used in forensic genetics.
Applying knowledge and understanding.
This course provides the student with the ability to thoroughly understand the expertise of forensic geneticist in relationship to other professionals working in the legal framework, providing him a great self-confidence and a better interaction with different professional profiles.
Making judgements.
Issues of this course are discussed in light of the most recent break-through of scientific studies, which exploit various experimental approaches. Hence, by taking this course and passing the exam the student will be able to critically analyze the potentials and limitations of genetic investigations.
Communication skills.
Attending classroom lessons the student becomes familiar with terms typical of biology and genetics, along with methodological approaches of these fields. This allows him to develop communication abilities to be usefully spent in various professional settings. Hence, passing the exam would imply that the student has acquired/improved specific skills needed for an efficacious scientific communication.
Learning skills.
Taking this course and passing the exam would imply that the student has fully learnt strategies and methodologies typical of forensic genetics. These abilities are attained during traditional lessons that emphasize and critically discuss the complexity of our genome, in light of the most up-to-date findings of studies reported by the scientific literature.

Educational objectives

General
The teaching aims to provide examples of the application of the most popular instrumental
chemical analysis techniques for determinations or comparisons on real matrices. Specific
training objectives are: the ability to identify the instrumental investigation technique best
suited to the resolution of the question posed; knowledge of the principles underlying the

writing of an expert report; and the ability to evaluate and present analytical findings from
instrumental investigations.
Specific
knowledge and understanding
Students at the end of the course will be able to identify: the best instrumental approach to
solving the problem, how to report an analytical result at trial, how to write an expert report,
criteria for evaluating an expert investigation
applying knowledge and understanding
Students at the end of the course will be able to choose one or more analytical approaches;
check the quality and consistency of the analytical data obtained; and choose the best
analytical technique according to the sample to be analyzed.
making judgements
The student upon completion of the course will be able to independently assess the most
appropriate conduct for chemical detection in forensics.
communication skills
The student will be able to relate analytical results by adapting their language to the question
and forensic context.
learning skills
At the end of the course, the expected outcome is that the student will be able to study
forensic chemistry in depth and have acquired the skills and tools necessary for
determinations or comparisons on real matrices

Educational objectives

The final thesis completes the curriculum with an individual experimental experience. The student will prepare a written report of the finings and the relevant literature; will present the work to a Faculties commission according to the Academic procedure and deadlines. 12 CFU are assigned to the final thesis that under Faculty member supervision requires the development of an original research project.