FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY:Origin and History of Forensic Psychology

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Introduction to Psychology PSY101

Lesson 45

FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Applying psychological rules in the judicial system.

Area of psychology that applies psychological principles and methods to various areas of the

legal system.

It is also defined as the area where clinical methods and techniques are used in the legal

system.

It is one of the fastest flourishing areas of psychology.

Bartol & Bartol (2004:8) define forensic psychology as:

"The research endeavor that examines aspects of human behavior directly related to the legal process and

the professional practice of psychology within, or in consultation with, a legal system that embraces both

civil and criminal law."

Psychologists' job is both clinical and forensic in nature in the sense that they provide clinical services to the

traumatized patients, and also submit the assessment report to the court about the extent and the nature of

psychological damage that has occurred.

Forensic psychology is dealt with under the Division 41 American Psychology- Law Society of APA.

The role of the psychologist in the legal system

Assessment of the accused.

Testimony.

Psychological intervention for those under trial.

Rehabilitation of the convicted.

Research in criminal psychology: causes and contributing variables.

Forensic Psychology's Contributions in Various Judicial Areas

Forensic psychology is mainly concerned with:

i. Divorce and child custody.

ii. Determining the criminal responsibility or insanity and the competence of an accused to stand trial.

iii. Selection of the jury.

iv. Recording case proceedings for assessment.

v. Providing expert point of view and opinion while assessing questions, which are psychological in nature.

v. Assessing and evaluating the response receptiveness.

vi. Usage of psychological principles and tests.

vii. Recruitment of police officers, fire fighters, security and military personnel.

viii. Explaining the causes and effects of psychological disorders and illness.

ix. Providing consultation to develop and maintain workplace safety and for violence debriefing procedures.

x. Developing and applying treatment programs to offenders and people at risk.

xi. Conducting researches on increasing, improving, and modifying the treatment and rehabilitation

procedures.

xii.Developing profiles of different types of offenders.

xiii. Teaching, training, and providing professional help on various issues of forensic psychology.

What is the role of forensic psychologist?

A forensic psychologist does a number of things:

Basic and applied research: mainly on the legal matters and/ or related issues. In this, a forensic

psychologist studies: the legal practice and the legal matters, attitudes and behavior of criminals,

police officers, eyewitness testimony, jury behavior, memory, perception, recall etc.

Training/ education to the people in the legal system such as police officers, judges, lawyers

(rarely) correctional staff etc

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Introduction to Psychology PSY101

Clinical applications (these are the activities that are most well-known).

Judging and evaluating various behaviors: insanity, various competencies, civil commitment,

custody, claims of psychological injury, and psychological fitness for law enforcement work.

Providing counseling and treatment: to offenders, inmates, police officers and their families,

and the victims.

Providing consultation to law enforcement agencies: for crisis intervention, hostage

negotiation, critical incident debriefing, autopsy, psychological profiling

Providing expertise to courts such as expert testimony, amices curiae briefs, alternative dispute

resolution.

Helping the lawyers: Giving suggestions about how to evaluate the clients, preparation of

witnesses, jury selection.

Origin and History of Forensic Psychology

Forensic comes from the Latin word "forum".

Forums were the public places or gatherings in the Roman city- states where the debates took

places on the judicial processes.

Its history dates back to at least the turn of the 20th century.

Hugo Munsterberg is regarded as the first forensic psychologist.

Alfred Binet and Sigmund Freud were the ones who developed psychological tests that could be used in

judicial proceedings and suggested that the time taken by the person to answer questions could be an

important factor in estimating whether the person is the real culprit or not.

In 1916, Lewis Terman began to apply psychological tests for law enforcement and used intelligence tests in

assessing intelligence of 30 applicants for the jobs of police and fire fighters.

Psychology's applications in law and law enforcement continues since the 1920's. Today there are almost

2000 psychologists who belong to the American Psychology- Law Society.

Different psychologists take this field with different perspectives. i.e. some defines it as the intersection of

psychology and legal system, whereas others take it as the clinical practice of psychology in legal

departments.

The American Board of Forensic Psychology and the American Psychology-Law Society (1995) define

forensic psychology as:

"The professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology, counseling

psychology, neuropsychology, and school psychology, when they are engaged regularly as experts

and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional

psychological expertise to the judicial system."

They also emphasize on:

Investigations,

Studies,

Evaluations,

Advice to attorneys,

Advisory opinions, and

Depositions and testimony that helps in the resolution of disputes relating to life or property. Also,

forensic psychologists assist other lawful tribunals, and deal with the issues that reach the court, as

well as the situations arising after the court decision.

Important Terminology in Forensic Psychology

The commonly used terminology in forensic psychology is:

Competency.

Insanity.

Expert witness.

Criminal profiling.

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Introduction to Psychology PSY101

Jury consulting/consultation.

Important Sub- Fields of Forensic Psychology

Clinical- forensic psychology.

Developmental psychology.

Social psychology.

Cognitive psychology.

Criminal investigative psychology.

Ethics Essential to Be Followed by the Forensic Psychologist

The following rules are essential to be followed by forensic psychologists. They are;

Responsibility,

Competence,

Relationships,

Confidentiality,

Use of scientific, approved and standardized methods,

Communication harmony.

Requirements of Becoming a Good Forensic Psychologist

Those who wish to become a forensic psychologist need to have special skills like:

Patience,

Adaptability,

Feeling comfortable while working with other people,

Research- oriented mind.

Psychology of Women

Division 35 of APA Society for the Psychology of women.

The main focus is on psychological, biological. social, and lifespan development differences and similarities

of the genders with emphasis on the major life events of women.

The following areas are of special interest to a psychologist involved in women/gender research:

·Female physiology and reproductive health.

·Female cognitive skills

·Early socialization into sex roles.

·Stereotyping women in media.

·Cultural determinants of sex differences

·Work issues; power relationships between men and women, psychosocial factors in

·Women empowerment

·Physical and mental health issues.

·Discrimination and violence prevention.

·Gender equality and equity

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