What is Forensic Psychology?

Interest in forensic psychology has grown in recent years, mainly due to the television programs and series where criminal investigators have an almost psychic ability to pin down complicated, elaborate personalities and the behavioral descriptions of the various criminals. The factors influencing those antisocial behaviors, the patterns of action, and the different profiles.

This is a misconception, they are only fictional scripts. The role that forensic psychologists play in this type of investigation is not the one reflected in these movies and they lead us to widespread confusion about who a forensic psychologist is, what their competencies are, and what they do.

Forensic psychology is a relatively new field within psychology, though no less important for it. Therefore, it would probably be best to begin with a definition.

Forensic psychology definition

A simple definition may turn out to be complicated, so to simplify we will say that forensic psychology is the branch of psychology that bases all its theories on the principles and methods of mainstream psychology. Forensic psychology broadens and specializes its action in matters related to people with irregular behaviors who face the justice system. The work of forensic psychologists is not limited solely to analyzing the alleged defendant but also extends to the relationship with victims, witnesses, and qualified professionals who can provide information for each specific case. The goal is to know and master the aspects surrounding the case.

The studies and analyses of the behavior of the people involved in criminal acts are carried out and must go hand in hand with the laws and regulations, since one acts within a judicial process and these are investigations of alleged crimes. Therefore, these experts must be knowledgeable about these laws.

Through the knowledge and methods of forensic psychology, the aim is to understand the motives, the emotional state, and the causes surrounding each of the protagonists of the unlawful event.

Most authors of forensic psychology books describe it as the application of clinical specialties of psychology of the forensic setting in the legal field. Christopher Cronin, a specialist in the subject who has written recognized forensic psychology textbooks, defines it as "The application of clinical specialties to legal institutions and the people who come into contact with the law; clinical skills such as assessment, treatment, and forensic adjustments. This can be considered too generic a definition.

The broad definition of forensic psychology emphasizes the application of research and experimentation from other areas of psychology (cognitive psychology, social psychology) to the legal field. This includes applying results from studies in areas such as cognitive psychology to legal questions. Two good examples include studies on eyewitness identification, and research on children's memory, suggestibility, and competence to testify. Cronin labels this definition as Legal Psychology.

What forensic psychology consists of

Thus, the practice of forensic psychology, and perhaps the most frequent duty of forensic psychologists, is the psychological assessment of the individuals who participate, in one way or another, in the legal system.

Therefore, although it is necessary to have training in law and psychology, the most important skills a forensic psychologist must possess are solid clinical knowledge. That is, skills such as clinical assessment, interviewing, written reporting, strong verbal communication abilities, and depth in interviews using various approach methods to achieve the goal of knowing the mind and feelings of people.

With these skills, forensic psychologists carry out, among other things, tasks such as:

• Evaluations of child custody
• Competency evaluations of those accused of crimes
• Evaluations of older people
• Evaluations of the psychological aftereffects in cases of bullying, workplace harassment, or sexual harassment at work
• Services to crime victims
• Death notification procedures
• The assessment of post-traumatic stress disorder
• The delivery and evaluation of intervention and treatment programs for juvenile and adult offenders under guidance.

The practice of forensic psychology involves various investigations, studies, evaluations, consultations, designs, and execution of treatment programs. In addition to giving testimony as an expert witness in Court.

The forensic psychologist's conclusions, after analyzing and evaluating all the related aspects and data of the different people involved, are set down in a written report requested by the competent personnel.

When this study is requested by a judge, a prosecutor, a lawyer, or competent authorities and is going to be considered as evidence and background to reach their resolution, this document is a psychological expert report and is completed by meeting certain formalities.

Forensic psychology. Guilty mind

Undoubtedly one of the most interesting evaluations for a forensic psychologist is the evaluation in cases of insanity. In many countries, a person is not responsible for a crime if they did not possess a "guilty mind" at the moment the criminal act was committed. There are several conditions under which the law recognizes that a guilty mind is absent (for example, self-defense).

"Insanity" is not a psychological term but a legal one. The standard for insanity is determined by each country or state, and it is also a federal standard. A common standard is whether the person knew that what they were doing was wrong.

The forensic psychologist must determine the mental state at the time of the crime, not how the person is functioning at present. Thus, much of the forensic psychologist's work is retrospective and must draw on third-party information, collateral contacts, indications, and written and verbal communications, statements made at the time of the crime to determine whether there was transient insanity or another type of disturbance at the moment of the event, or, on the contrary, whether any imbalance is ruled out.

Forensic psychology career opportunities

Forensic psychology has grown a great deal over the last 20 years. It is a broad field that offers numerous opportunities. Forensic psychologists can work in many different legal settings, drafting reports, giving recognized testimony, preparing and producing psychological expert reports. And also, in therapeutic communities in direct or indirect human relation to criminal cases.

A good professional in criminal forensic psychology gives a clear picture of what it means to assess, write, and give testimony in court in difficult criminal cases. In many of the cases, their studies and conclusions are decisive in determining the appropriate solutions and determine the judicial ruling.

Requirements and studies for the qualification in Forensic Psychology

If this specialization in psychology appeals to you, obviously you must first hold the qualification that grants you the status of psychologist and then train to be able to practice in this field by taking an in-person master's degree in forensic psychology, attending classes. In the event that this option is not available in your city, we can always do the distance master's degree in forensic psychology.

In some of the universities of some cities they are already offering forensic psychology courses and others also teach criminal psychology, there is an offering that has been increasing in recent years at the country's main universities, in the form of postgraduate and master's programs.

Forensic psychology Barcelona

If your place of residence is in Catalonia, the options expand, since in this area we can find different options such as master's courses in forensic psychology, Barcelona taught, among others, by the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona.

These master's programs in forensic psychology are aimed at people with bachelor's, graduate, or other qualifications in fields related to psychology.

In preparation for forensic psychology, Barcelona has had for some years institutes and universities that successfully teach this discipline.

These specialized courses provide the precise and necessary training in forensic criminal psychological expert work, psychological counseling in labor law, civil law, and family law.

This very thorough training perfectly prepares the people who pass the tests and opens the doors for them to act professionally at different levels.

Another option is to take courses in criminology and victimology knowledge that you can add to your preparation in a psychology degree and opt for occupations appropriate to the qualification obtained through the master's degrees in forensic psychology, Barcelona and its surroundings that provide this type of training.

Criminology courses do not provide the same qualification, since in this case we would be talking about criminology experts but not forensic experts.

Different occupations in forensic psychology

Professionals are considered prepared when they have at least two years of experience in the clinical area of diagnosis. Also, as important points for this professional practice, the exercise of knowledge is necessary, so that the therapist acquires the ability to read processes, analyze, and discern the different cases.

The skill is similar to the examination of situations or facts, carried out by an experienced professional or by someone who knows the specific subject.

Forensic conclusions are documented with the maximum information and presented before the court so that the judge can assess the information gathered in a way that aids their power of decision.

The psychologist as an expert is legitimized following the corresponding regulatory law and, from then on, the psychologist is expected, among other situations, to help by acting as a forensic expert, conducting studies with their legal knowledge, and to issue opinions on the subject of psychology.

In cases where there are affected people of different ages and contexts, the psychologist must evaluate the intellectual and emotional conditions of children, adolescents, and adults in relation to legal proceedings, whether due to mental deficiency and insanity, the contesting of wills, acceptance into foster care and childcare, or to determine legal responsibility for criminal acts, etc.

The therapist psychologist can act as an expert witness in civil courts, criminal courts, labor courts, family courts, child and adolescent courts, in the development of reports, opinions, and knowledge to be added to any type of proceedings.

Process up to the forensic psychology report

The process leading up to drafting the final report is long and laborious. The judge appoints an expert in forensic psychology to follow up on the matters brought before the justice system.

The parties or one of the parties to the proceedings may request that a psychologist, who is appointed as a qualified professional technical assistant, perform functions similar to those of the expert to help in clarifying and defending their interests in the dispute.

The judge, and the jury in some cases, will make an assessment of the reports submitted and will take very much into account the opinion indicated by the psychologist or psychologists, in addition to the rest of the evidence and statements. In this way they will be able to make an appropriate decision with full knowledge of the facts and administer justice.

All the information and knowledge of the facts, cause, and motives where psychology intervenes are fundamental to helping the magistrate in the deliberations and resolutions they apply.

A psychological expert report must be based on ethical, legal, and psychological aspects that provide the most complete and detailed information that helps judges and contributes to administering justice.

The expert report consists of a document prepared by the expert at the end of the evaluation process. This document is similar to the format of a psychological report on a clinical evaluation, but with some peculiarities.

In summary, this psychological expert report will be composed of the identifying data, methods and procedures used by the expert, their results, and, finally, a brief conclusion.

If you need a forensic psychologist, get in touch with us.