Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Australasia’s leading centre for excellence in the areas of forensic mental health and forensic behavioural science research, teaching and practice development.
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science researcher awarded 2022 Chris Abderhalden Award
Senior Lecturer Dr Tessa Maguire was awarded the 2022 Chris Abderhalden Award for Young Researcher in the field of Aggression in Healthcare at the 12th European Congress on Violence in Clinical Psychiatry.
The Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science provides academic and clinical excellence in forensic mental health research and practice. We bring together academics, clinicians, researchers and students from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, psychiatry, nursing, social work, law, occupational therapy and epidemiology. Our research, consulting services and professional development and training programs have strengthened the field of forensic behavioural science in Australia and overseas.
A key focus of our work is to transfer academic and clinical excellence into practice in the health, community services and criminal justice sectors. Our aims include:
- understanding, predicting and reducing offending and violence by people with mental illness or problem behaviours
- improving the legal system through empirical research and policy analysis
- creating a vibrant culture of learning and research in the forensic mental health and behavioural science sectors.
We harness additional expertise through our affiliations and collaborations. In particular, we have a strong partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare), serving as Forensicare’s research and training arm. We also have a long record of collaborating with other general and forensic mental health and correctional services, as well as international experts.
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Our research
We engage in a broad range of clinical, epidemiological and experimental research within seven key research streams.
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Our study options
We offer postgraduate research and clinical qualifications, online graduate degrees and single unit enrolments.
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Our professional development and training
We provide professional development and training that optimises the delivery of health, social and criminal justice services.
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Our consulting services
We provide consultation, evaluation and primary research services across correctional and health settings.
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Our publications and products
Read our publications and reports or explore our products for forensic mental health professionals, including manuals available for purchase.
What is forensic behavioural science?
Forensic behavioural science concerns the study of the relationship between human behaviour and offending, including:
- understanding how criminal behaviour is produced and what might be done to prevent such behaviour
- informing practice in the field of forensic mental health
- assisting professionals responsible for the assessment and treatment of the mentally disordered whose behaviour has led, or could lead, to offending
- influencing the way that law enforcement, courts and criminal justice systems identify and manage offenders.
How does our centre operate?
We have a strong partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Mental Health (Forensicare), serving as Forensicare’s research and training arm.
Prato 2023 Conference
Stronger Trajectories, Safer Communities: Improving welfare, mental health and legal responses to crime
Hosted by Swinburne University of Technology and Monash University, this conference will be held in Prato, Italy in September 2023. It seeks to bring together policy contributors, lawyers, clinicians, legal decision makers, advocates, and researchers to work together and learn from each other to explore and describe, from a cross-disciplinary perspective, legal, welfare, clinical and strategic responses to addressing, intervening and preventing criminal behaviour.
Our products
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The Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression (DASA)
This is a structured measure used by unit staff to assess risk of imminent (within the next 24 hours) aggression by patients in psychiatric hospitals and other secure settings.
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Stalking Risk Profile: Guidelines for the assessment and management of stalkers
This definitive tool provides structured guidelines to help professionals make considered judgements about the variety of risks in stalking situations.
Forensic Mental Health Professional Development Programs
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Research
- Research Impact
- Health
- Law
- Psychology
5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships
In collaboration with the Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, the Australasian Youth Justice Administrators (AYJA) will partner with Swinburne University of Technology to deliver the 5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference: Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships. This three-day conference seeks to bring together policy contributors, clinicians, legal decision makers, advocates, researchers and those with lived experience to work together and learn from each other through presentations, keynote addresses, Q & A, and panel discussions.
Register now (5th Australasian Youth Justice Conference 2024. Strengthening Connections: The Power of Relationships and Strong Service Partnerships) -
Research
- Research Impact
- Health
- Psychology
Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Adult Firesetting
This two day workshop will provide attendees with the latest knowledge on deliberate firesetting including common characteristics of and theoretical explanations for adult firesetting, current evidence-based approaches for assessment and treatment of adult deliberate firesetting including psychometric tools that can assist in identification of treatment needs, and current best practice in risk assessment.
Register now (Understanding, Assessing, and Treating Adult Firesetting) -
Research
- Research Impact
Nobody wants a punch in the throat or a black eye – that shit hurts
Join Dr Armon Tamatea (Department of Corrections – New Zealand) in exploring the complex dynamics behind the culture and control of violence in New Zealand prisons.
Register now (Nobody wants a punch in the throat or a black eye – that shit hurts)
Centre news
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- University
Swinburne researchers appointed as University Distinguished Professors
Professor Jo Barraket and Professor James Ogloff have received the highest honour awarded to academics for outstanding contributions to their fields.Wednesday 22 April 2020 -
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Bushfire research at Swinburne
Research is underway to improve bushfire preparedness, response and recovery, and find innovative solutions to issues affecting communities across the countThursday 06 February 2020 -
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Three Swinburne scholars awarded Fulbright scholarships
The prestigious Fulbright Program in Australia has awarded scholarships to Anastassija (Stacey) Konash, Dr Karen Hughes and Dr Nina Papalia.Thursday 30 January 2020 -
- Health
Meet the Swinburne researcher taking her studies on family violence to the frontline
Associate Professor Troy McEwan’s research into gender-based violence and stalking has changed how Victorian authorities assess violent behaviours.Thursday 21 November 2019 -
- University
Swinburne builds on high Australian Research Council funding success rate
Two Swinburne teams receive Australian Research Council Linkage Project funding, giving the university the highest success rate for 2018 submissions.Thursday 11 July 2019
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How you can reach us
Location
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Level 1, 582 Heidelberg Road
Alphington, 3078
Postal address
Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
Level 1, 582 Heidelberg Road
Alphington, 3078
Contact the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science
There are many ways to engage with us. Whether you’re a student, from the media or an organisation interested in our professional development and training programs or consulting services, contact us on +61 3 9214 3887 or via cfbs@swinburne.edu.au.