Forensic Psychology is devoted to psychological aspects of legal processes in courts. The term is also often used to refer to investigative and criminological psychology. The word “forensic” means legal; any thing that is pertinent to law comes into the area of forensic psychology. The range of application of forensic psychology is not merely limited to the criminals; it involves all matters that are relevant to our legal and civil systems like courts, police, lawyers, crime investigations, criminal behaviors, police recruitments, trainings and adjustment e.t.c.
Definitions:
Wrightsman
According to Wrightsman “Forensic Psychology is reflected by any application of psychological knowledge or methods to a task faced by the legal system”
Bartel & Bartel
Views Forensic psychology as both:
- The research endeavor that examines aspects of human behavior directly related to the legal process e.g., eyewitness memory and testimony, jury decision making or criminal behavior and
- The professional practice of psychology within or in consultation with a legal system that encompasses both criminal and civil law and the numerous areas where they interact.
Breadth of forensic psychology
Forensic psychology is a very new and exciting area; it seems exciting because of the immense range of its applications, For instance:
- Child custody decisions
- Child abuse of an emotional, physical and sexual nature
- Matters of competency to stand trial
- Victim support responsibilities
- Jury selection
- Alleviating Police burnout
- Competency evaluations
- Expert witness
- Advising legislators on public policy
- Treatment of chronic offenders
What do forensic psychologists do?
A Forensic Psychologist is more likely to be indulged in following activities:
- Applying psychological theory to criminal investigation
- Understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behavior
- The treatment of criminals include piloting and implementing treatment programmes
- Modifying offender behaviors
- Responding to the changing needs of staff and prisoners
- Reducing stress for staff and prisoners
- Providing hard research evidence to support practice
- Undertaking statistical analysis for prisoner profiling
- Giving evidence in court; advising parole boards and mental health tribunals; crime analysis.
