Legacy Cases & Managing Risk

This course will provide you with an understanding of the complex relationship between mental health and the justice system. We get a rare insight into three legacy cases, Darren William Smith, David Milgaard, and Clifford Olson, from experts who worked closely with them during and after their trials.

The aim of this course is to gain a more thorough understanding of the role of forensic psychology and psychiatry in the criminal justice system. The course is based on chapters from "Shrunk, Crime, and Disorders of the Mind," a book in the Durvile True Cases Series written by forensic psychologists and psychiatrists. Chapters in the book focus on court cases where judges and juries call upon the opinions of forensic experts when dealing with the mentally disordered criminally accused.

We feature Dr. Lawrence Ellerby's "Taming the Lion: A True Story of Community Risk Management", Patrick Baille's "David Milgaard: Tunnel Vision and Wrongful Conviction", and Dr. Thomas Dalby's "Clifford Olson Unplugged". Throughout these contributions, we get an inside look at the treatment for those who commit violent and/or sexual crimes through the telling of the stories of Darren William Smith, David Milgaard, and Clifford Olson. In each case, we examine the accused's mental state in the lead-up and aftermath of their crimes and take a look at the road to rehabilitation through supervision, structure, and support.