Cox Associates: Criminal Expertise
Cox Associates works with both the defence & prosecution in the criminal courts. Many people accused of crimes come from the most vulnerable sections of the population and a psychological report often assists the court to reach decisions which are just. The list below shows some of the questions which can be answered by a psychological report:
- Intellectual competencies — I.Q., fitness to plead, capacity to understand proceedings and to instruct a solicitor, the capacity to predict consequences, the need for appropriate adults to be involved, intellectual & mental handicap;
- Suggestibility — The tendency to be over-influenced by others;
- Risk Assessment — the likelihood of further offending in a specific way;
- Sentencing — The effect of custodial sentence on vulnerable personality (suicide risk);
- Effects of past events — Effects on the offending behaviour: what is normal behaviour?
- Assessment of trauma — Assessing psychological trauma of victims;
- Capacity for change — Assessment of the individual's capacity to change behaviour;
- Other psychological reports — Advice & comments on other psychological reports or issues.
Case Studies
The evidence against Mr. M. was based on his admissions under police questioning. Our assessment indicated that he had below-average I.Q., a hearing impairment, was highly suggestible, he was grieving the death of his mother at the time of the police interview & that an appropriate adult should have been present in accordance with PACE rules. This psychological report was commended by the barrister.
Mr. K. was charged with both obtaining a job by deception and theft from his employer. He was found to have high levels of psychological distress including depression and low self-esteem; in addition he was suffering PTSD following the rape of his partner. Mr. K. was considered to be at significant risk of suicide in a custodial environment. As a result of our report, he received a substantially-reduced sentence.
However, we did find that Mrs. V., a 68-year-old convicted of a first offence of death by dangerous driving, was found not too vulnerable to serve a short prison sentence.