Forensic Psychology

Case Study #1 Paul is a 31-year-old man who was recently arrested for shooting a store manager during a robbery. He has a history of aggression and violating the law, including burglary, robbery, assault, and numerous drug charges. He is a high school dropout and has never been able to hold a job. When he first meets someone, he can come across as engaging, funny, and charming. He has been in numerous relationships; however, in those relationships he was emotionally detached and parasitic, as well as verbally and physically abusive. He has a volatile temperament and no sense of obligation or responsibility to anyone. His crimes often display a complete lack of empathy for his victims. Case Study #2 David is a 37-year-old man who was recently arrested and charged with the kidnapping, rape, and murder of two women. David is a college graduate, married with two children, and has worked for the city as a zoning enforcement officer for 23 years. He is extremely controlling, dominating, and verbally abusive in his relationships with his wife and children. Friends describe him as gregarious, smooth, and charming. Those who work with him or have dealt with him in his employment say that he can become arrogant, dominating, and aggressive when challenged.

Identify the case study you selected. Explain whether the primary offender demonstrates features of a disciplined psychopath or an undisciplined psychopath. Provide examples to support your conclusion. Explain how these features differ from those displayed by individuals with antisocial personalities or narcissism. Explain the challenges a forensic psychology professional might have working with individuals with antisocial personality disorder or psychopathy.