Forensic psychology combines legal and psychological issues, often used in criminal investigations and involving professionals who may work in prisons, mental health institutions, or private practice. Those trained in forensic psychology may counsel witnesses and victims, evaluate children in custody hearings, and provide psychological research to lawyers. Many universities offer degree programs in investigative psychology, and professionals in this field may hold postgraduate law degrees and work as expert witnesses in criminal, civil, or family courts. They may also work with law enforcement agencies to evaluate officers’ mental states.
Forensic psychology is the term used to describe incidents where legal issues need to be considered in tandem with psychological issues. This specific field of psychology is often referred to as forensic psychology and is commonly used in criminal investigations, particularly when a defendant’s sanity is in question or when it is believed that an eyewitness to a crime may not accurately convey information to a court . Professionals trained in forensic psychology are often called upon to participate in criminal investigations before a judicial process begins and ultimately to testify in court regarding their findings.
Numerous professionals trained in forensic psychology find work in prisons and mental health institutions. Some may even work in private practice while specializing in certain aspects of the field that can be of use to police detectives and judges. Individuals trained in forensic psychology are often used to counsel witnesses and victims of violent crime during an ongoing investigation.
The tasks required of a person trained in forensic psychology vary widely. Judges who preside over child custody hearings often require a professional who is trained in forensic psychology and has experience counseling youth to evaluate children in an effort to determine custody and visitation orders. Others working in this field can be relied upon to provide psychological research to lawyers on how jurors are likely to look at defendants and arrive at verdicts.
Many who practice psychology in relation to the law often hold postgraduate law degrees, as well as graduate degrees in psychology. As an ever-emerging field of study and a career option that is growing in popularity and demand, many universities offer investigative psychology degree programs, and some even offer more extensive programs for individuals interested in a career in forensic psychology. In such programs, many are able to earn a law degree while simultaneously working on a doctoral degree in psychology.
Professionals specialized in legal psychology, sooner or later, are called upon to assist in pending cases in a criminal court, civil court or family court as the so-called expert witness. The testimony of these people is highly respected and weighs heavily on the decisions made in those courts. Those with experience in police psychology also work closely with law enforcement agencies in advising police officers and evaluating officers, particularly in cases where it is believed that an officer’s mental state may interfere with his job duties.
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