Then another issue where forensic psychologist can be of great help is to identify the real nature and motive of false confession. Many times suggestible, but innocent, suspects might give false confessions because of police behavior and many other factors and when courts ask a forensic psychologist to assess the case, police may create different sorts of hampers to inhibit the psychologist’s work. Let’s take an example here, a person confesses to have committed a murder. The court wants the psychologists help to decide if the confession is genuine. How can the psychologist help?
While interviewing the suspect the attitude of police gives a sign that there is some thing fishy. Even with all such hurdles like policeman is standing in front of the suspect and giving meaningful looks a skillful psychologist can still understand the situation and can make recommendations to court and once recommendations have been given to court it becomes difficult for police to torture that suspect any more.
Police psychologistsForensic psychologists not only assess criminals and solve child custody cases but also help police to work effectively. Police psychologists help in following areas:
RecruitmentPsychologists can help in selecting the persons who suitably fit to the dynamic nature of this job. Psychologist use different personality, aptitude and ability test to assess the right person for the job.
Training
Psychologists’ role in training of police force is also crucial. They can help in designing training programs, developing empathy and customer service attitude.
Adjustment to stressful jobOnce a person has become a policeman the stressful nature of job leads to many other problems like Post Shooting Stress Disorder, Depression, and many other mental and adjustment problems. So, again the duties of a police psychologist are quite demanding and difficult to cope with such situations. Theses three aspects of a police psychologist’s activities will be discussed in detail in forth coming lessons.
Professional responsibilities
Like all other professions, the field of forensic psychology also encompasses many ethical, moral and social responsibilities. The basic province is to assist court no matter whether defense lawyer or court has asked the psychologist to help out.
Forensic psychologist assist courts
In clinical psychology, the client is readily identifiable: The person to whom professional services are offered is the client, the one owed the legal duty, the one to whom privilege belongs. In contrast, in the judicial system, forensic psychologists serve multiple clients evidence, preponderance of the evidence), the level dependent on the legal issue in question and which side bears the burden of proof. However, as expert witnesses, forensic psychologists typically are asked whether they were able to reach an opinion to a reasonable degree of psychological but many others as well. Because of the nature of the assessment, the nature of the oath (to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth), and APA ethical principles, clients include the retaining attorney, the consumer of the product (e.g., the judge and jury), and those potentially affected by the expert’s opinion: society as a whole. So, the ultimate goal of a forensic psychologist should only and only to assist court and find out the truth.
