Forensic psychology will be the focus as Bellevue Community College (BCC) and Eastern Washington University (EWU) jointly present a free, public psychology symposium on the BCC Campus Feb. 18 and 19.

The symposium will feature Dr. Kayleen Islam-Zwart, EWU associate professor of psychology, speaking on the topic, “Mayhem, Malingering, and Mental Illness: The Work of a Forensic Psychologist.”

The event begins at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 and will be repeated at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 19.

Both sessions will be held in room 201 of BCC’s N Building, located at the south end of the college’s main campus, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E.

Forensic psychologists have played central roles in some of the most controversial and sensational criminal cases of recent years, including those of “Hillside Strangler” Kenneth Bianchi and serial killer Jeffery Dahmer.

Islam-Zwart will discuss the ways in which forensic psychologists contributed to the capture of these and other criminals, the methods of forensic psychology and its status within the legal system.

Islam-Zwart has worked in a variety of state and federal institutions and has wide experience in both forensic and correctional psychology.

Islam-Zwart is currently the director of Eastern Washington University’s Psychology at BCC and graduate psychology programs, and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Criminal Justice and Behavior.