Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is a field of psychological science that involves application of psychology to the criminal justice system. It is a psychological specialty area that does not exist in academic context but can be found in clinical settings, research institutions, law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Forensic psychologists are primarily responsible for providing mental health assessments, assessments of risk, and general services to criminal justice agencies. Forensic psychologists are involved in a variety of functions within the criminal justice system, such as providing therapy for victims of crime, assessing pre-trial and post-trial risk to the public or an offender, analyzing criminal behavior, evaluating mental health and competency, and making recommendations to the courts about sentencing and rehabilitation. They may also interact with courts, lawyers, juvenile advocates, corrections staff, and other professionals who are part of the criminal justice system. Forensic psychology practitioners must possess a wide range of skills in order to properly evaluate a person in a criminal justice setting. Forensic psychologists must be able to understand the legal system and criminal laws. They must be able to explain the differences between criminal and civil courts, the distinction between criminal and mental health matters, and the laws that govern sentencing and rehabilitation. In addition, they must be knowledgeable about the principles of professional ethics, the principles of assessment, and the empirical evidence that supports their decision-making. Forensic psychologists must also be skilled in communication and interpersonal relations. They need to be able to clearly communicate diagnosis, assessment findings, and recommendations in court, to legal professionals and other relevant parties in criminal justice proceedings. Good communication skills are also critical when dealing with victims of crime, offenders, victims' families, jurors, and witnesses. Finally, forensic psychologists must possess the analytical skills necessary to interpret and synthesize psychological data relevant to the criminal justice system. They must know how to assess risk for offender behavior, make diagnosis of mental disorders, and assess the mental health and competency of potential litigants. Furthermore, they must be able to strategize legal options for defendants, craft arguments in court, and interact with victims and their families to understand the crime from the perspectives of those affected by it. All of these skills are necessary for forensic psychologists to provide high quality services to the criminal justice system.