Although forensic psychology dates back to the late 1800’s, the American Psychological Association did not fully recognize it as a field until 2001 (American Psychological Association, 2008). Television shows and media such as “Criminal Minds”, “Law and Order: SVU”, and most recently, “Evil” on Netflix, have created an increased interest in the field. Even more, the field gained popularity during the nationally televised and extremely popular Depp v. Heard trial where there were two forensic psychologists who testified as expert witnesses in the case. But the portrayal of forensic psychology in television and film frequently distorts and dramatizes what it means to work in the profession, and the specifics are frequently misinterpreted. Thus, what precisely is forensic psychology and what do professionals in this field do?
Forensic psychology is a specialized field of psychology that incorporates psychology and the legal system. It incorporated psychology with the legal system and applies the theories and skills of psychology to the laws and rules of the legal system. In addition to supporting the legal system, forensic psychologists work toward psychology’s ultimate goal of understanding human behavior and mental processes. Incorporating psychology into the courtroom and legal cases allows for collaboration amongst psychologists, judges, attorneys and law enforcement to create a more just society.
As previously mentioned, forensic psychologists work within the legal system and collaborate with lawyers, judges, and law enforcement. These collaborations help to provide insight into cases and expert opinion regarding psychological issues. A forensic psychologist may assist in a legal case in the following ways:
Incorporating psychological knowledge and insight into legal matters through the involvement of forensic psychologists in diverse capacities facilitates fair judicial hearings and processes.
By: Marianne Texeira, M.S.
References:
American Psychological Association (2008). Forensic psychology. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic#:~:text=Forensic%20psychology%20is%20a%20specialty,the%20judicial%20and%20legal%20systems.