Criminal forensics 2300
Respond by providing additional recommendations for how forensic psychology professionals can promote diversity, reduce bias, and help catalyze positive social change.
1. Alijah- Recent Criminal Case
A recent criminal case in Durham, North Carolina, involved the death of 34-year-old Gary Tharrington Jr., who was allegedly shot by his 14-year-old stepson during a domestic dispute in June 2026. According to local news reports, the incident occurred after Tharrington attempted to intervene in a conflict involving family members. The juvenile suspect was later taken into custody, and the investigation remains ongoing (Bae, 2026).
Aspect of Diversity
Several aspects of diversity may impact this case, particularly age, family dynamics, and socio-economic factors. Because the accused suspect is a juvenile, the court must consider developmental differences between adolescents and adults when evaluating responsibility and decision-making. Additionally, cultural and family influences may shape how the events are interpreted and understood. Culture and social context are essential considerations in forensic evaluations because they influence behavior, communication, and responses to stressful situations (Kirmayer et al., 2007). The American Psychological Association's (2019) Guidelines on Race and Ethnicity in Psychology further note that psychologists should recognize how systemic and environmental factors affect individuals experiences within the legal system. Public perceptions of the juvenile suspect may also be influenced by stereotypes related to age, race, or community background, potentially affecting opinions about punishment.
Forensic Psychology Professional
As a forensic psychology professional, I can help promote diversity and reduce bias by conducting culturally informed assessments that consider developmental, environmental, and cultural influences on behavior. The APA's Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology (2011) emphasize the importance of impartiality, competence, and awareness of potential biases when conducting forensic work. By providing objective evaluations, educating legal professionals about the impact of implicit bias, and advocating for culturally responsive practices, forensic psychologists can help ensure that legal decisions are based on evidence rather than stereotypes. These efforts can contribute to fairness within the justice system and promote positive social change.
References
American Psychological Association. (2011). Specialty guidelines for forensic psychology. https://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/forensic-psychology
American Psychological Association. (2019). APA guidelines on race and ethnicity in psychology. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/guidelines-race-ethnicity.pdf
2.kristin:
This article comes from my hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana and it happened on January 26th, 2025. A 25 year old black male, Trevor Moses, got into a physical altercation with a 43 year old white male, Christopher J. Temple. The fight occurred on the 400 block of Commerce Street where the two gentlemen got into an argument that eventually turned into a physical altercation, which Temple was ruled the primary aggressor by police. After this incident both men left the area and Moses then returned again to the area. Another altercation between the men happened which ended in Temple being found on the ground unconscious. It was found that Temple suffered severe facial and head injuries which he later died from on February 15th. On February 6th Moses was charged with second degree battery due to the incident. However Caddo Parish Attorney’s Office continued to work towards the case to determine if the charges should be upgraded to homicide (Thomas,KSLA,2025).
The main factors in this case would be that one male was black and the person who passed away was white. There are many cases where African Americans are not held to the same legal standards as other races. As a forensic psychologist it is important to stick to the evidence that we have at hand. In this case it is extremely important to note that not only were there witnesses there was also a lot of video evidence that was able to document from multiple angles. There was proof that the two gentlemen did not know each other and certain bystanders were egging on the situation, and people being under the influence of alcohol did not help. The grand jury decided to not indict Trevor Moses in this incident.
References:
Thomas, R. (2025, February 18). Man dies after fight in downtown Shreveport; coroner IDs victim. Https://Www.ksla.co