Forensic Psychology - Beyond Silence Of The Lambs
If you have the usual question, what is forensic psychology or have your own version
of the answer, you will be glad to know that even psychologists in the field are
divided as to what the answer is! Welcome to the world of forensic psychology,
one of the fastest growing fields of psychology, world-wide. One of the first
visuals that come to mind when you talk of forensic psychology is perhaps Silence
of the Lamb. But, the science goes much beyond that and the scope is ever increasing
for forensic psychologists. So who is a forensic psychologist and where will you
find him? In short, you may find a forensic psychologist in:
- Prison/correctional services.
- As clinical psychologists in special hospitals & the psychiatric services.
- As Educational psychologists in behavior correctional institutions
- As Occupational psychologists & Academics.
It is important to remember that forensic psychology because the nature and
scope of work that it covers, is somehow connected with the law. In short, from
a lay man’s point of view, forensic psychology would be this: Any court
of law requires a formal collection, testing and subsequent presentation of
crucial evidence by which the legal proceedings can take a direction. Thus it
is critically important that if you intend to study forensic psychology in the
U.S.A, make sure you are equally well-versed about the American justice system.
You could also say that this particular branch of psychology applies various
psychology theories and principles to solve legal disputes, which could include
disputes over child custody, ill-treatment of children, assessing whether a
person is sane enough to manage his own affairs, whether a man is able enough
to stand in a court of trial, and giving advice to judges whether a particular
person can pose any future to risk to society at large.
Forensic psychologists play a variety of roles in and outside the court of
law:
- If a person is not competent enough to stand trial, a forensic psychologists
examine the individual and sends his or her recommendations.
- Forensic psychologists also examine criminals who claim insanity as a mode
of defending themselves in trial.
- Forensic psychologists assesses an individual's chances of committing repeated
offences or if there is any risk factor if he is set free. They also send
their recommendations for sentences, granting probation, and stipulate conditions
for parole.
- Forensic psychologists analyze criminal intentions, motivations for committing
a crime and the personal attitudes of the subject.
- When it comes to juvenile matters, forensic psychologists determine whether
the youth or child should be sent for rehabilitation. They also help prosecuting
attorneys, defending lawyers, and other law enforcement authorities in assessing
various abnormal and behaviors which are criminal in nature. They also ‘profile’
criminals applying psychological principles.
- If a person is considered to be incompetent to stand trial or found not
guilty on grounds of having lost his sanity, forensic psychologists work in
conjunction with other facilitators to offer rehabilitation to the person
accused.
To become a forensic psychologist, you must be a doctoral or be equipped with
a Psy.D in clinical psychology. In America, a forensic psychologist must be
licensed. He also needs hold a Diploma in Forensic Psychology awarded by the
American Board of Forensic Psychology. Minimum 4 years of postdoctoral working
experience as a forensic psychologist, along with 100 hours of special training
is necessary to qualify.
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