THE ROLE OF A FORENSIC EXPERT IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS OF MITIGATION OF DEATH PENALTY: LESSONS FOR NIGERIA FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

dc.contributor.authorAudu, Godiya
dc.date.accessioned2023-12-14T08:53:39Z
dc.date.available2023-12-14T08:53:39Z
dc.date.issued2014-01-01
dc.description.abstractDeath penalty is one of the capital punishments for grievous crimes in the world. The death penalty has been a topic of controversy from the issue of its constitutionality to the variability in its application in the world. The author provided a focus upon the role of the forensic psychologist, specifically as it applies to mitigation. Case study review of forensic case indices from American population was employed by the author and contrasted with the practice in Nigeria. The author obviously found that looking at the development of the death penalty; it becomes clear that there remained serious problems with the structure of capital trials and the imposition of the death penalty in Nigeria. The author further stated that, in trying to address some of these problems, the legal community should increasingly focus on the importance of the development and presentation of mitigation evidence. In this endeavor the efforts of forensic psychologists can be of great importance to both prosecution and defense attorneys, jurors and the judicial detennination about the appropriate punishment to be imposed, i.e either death sentence or alternative offer of life imprisonment. To achieve this, the author recommends that there should be increase understanding of the relationship between psychologists and lawyers in Nigeria through publications on issues of law and psychology in Nigerian jurisprudence. This will increase lawyers’ knowledge of forensic psychology and the entire forensic science, while at the same time increasing psychologists' knowledge of criminal law so that they can interact with judges, attorneys and other legal professionals for effective justice dispensation. In addition, Nigerian universities should offer joint academic programs in law and psychology. This will no doubt foster continuing communication and learning between psychologists and lawyers and this will enhance justice dispensation in Nigeria.en_US
dc.identifier.citationAmerican Bar Association. (1989). Criminal justice mental health standards. Washington, DC: Author. Retrieved March 31, 2004 http://www.abanet.Org/crimiusi//stanndards/mental blk.html In American journal of forensic psychology. Vol. 25 Issue 3. 2007. American Bar Association. (2003). Guidelines for the Appointment and Performance of Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases. Washinton DC: Author. Retrieved March 31, 2004, from http://www.abanet.org/crimi ust//stanndards/mental blk.html In American journal of forensic psychology. Vol. 25 Issue 3. 2007. American College of forensic psychology. (2007). American College of Forensic Psychology Publication, Balboa Island: Author. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from www.forensicpsvchologv.org American Journal of forensic psychology. (2007). American College of Forensic Psychology Publication, Balboa Island: Author. Retrieved March 20, 2013, from www.forensicpsvchologv.org American Supreme Court. (2013). Rape and kidnapped news from Aljazeera Television: Author. Retrieved Jully 27, 2013, from www.aliazeeranews.orgen_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://keffi.nsuk.edu.ng/handle/20.500.14448/6869
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherPolitical Science Department, Nasarawa State University, Keffien_US
dc.titleTHE ROLE OF A FORENSIC EXPERT IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS OF MITIGATION OF DEATH PENALTY: LESSONS FOR NIGERIA FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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