In 2001, the American Psychology Association (APA) officially recognized Forensic Psychology as being a viable concentration for some Psychology Students, particularly those in graduate level programs. The field has been around longer than that, however, which helps to demonstrate how the boundaries between fields in Psychology can become blurred with the overlap.
A Brief History of Forensic Psychology
In 1893, J. McKeen Cattell conducted some of the first experiments on testimony. His experiments included asking a series of questions, similar to those in a trial, to a group of students at Columbia University and then asking those students to grade their responses on a confidence level. The results of the inaccuracies, though expected, surprised even Cattell.
Some of the first psychological tests to screen law enforcement candidates were conducted in 1917 and in 1918 the first classification systems for inmates in prisons were developed. In 1921 an American psychologist testified as an expert witness in a courtroom, but it wasn't until the 1940s that this became more common.
The term "forensic psychology" first appeared in the 1970s with the establishment of The American Psychology-Law Society and The American Academy of Psychiatry and Law, both of which served to promote quality mental health evaluations for the courts and judicial system.
Broad vs. Narrow Definitions
The APA favored a narrow definition when Forensic Psychology was first voted on, defining Forensic Psychology as "the application and practice of psychology in the legal system, particularly in courts. "A broader definition could be "both the research and 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," according to Bartol.
One of the biggest issues regarding definitions with Psychologists that work within the Forensic Psychology realm is that many wouldn't consider themselves exclusively Forensic Psychologists, although some might, and others would consider themselves a Forensic Psychologist at times, but a Clinical Psychologist or other specialty at other times.
It is important to note that a very small number of psychologists devote themselves full-time to the field of Forensic Psychology, so if one is considering this field it is a good idea to understand this and have other fields in mind in which to conduct their work or research. For example, a lot of Psychologists will have or work in practices treating patients full-time, then devote themselves on an occasional or requested basis to legal issues or other Psychological pursuits.
Jobs in Forensic Psychology
The main areas in the legal system where one would find Forensic Psychologists are, as Bartol points out: Police/Law Enforcement, criminal and delinquent behavior/psychology, victimology and other victim services, courtrooms, and in correctional facilities or prisons.
Police Psychology encompasses fitness-for-duty evaluations as well as pre-employment screening, but Psychologists working in this field can also provide counseling services for law enforcement members and their families, help with determining best scheduling routines, emotional or aggression issues, and much more.
Criminal Psychology, as one would deduce, involves the behavioral and mental processes of both adult and juvenile offenders. This includes, but is not limited to, how criminal behavior is acquired, or how it first presents itself, how it is maintained or nurtured, and modified.
Victimology and Victim Services can be one of the more challenging fields as, depending on the crime or threats to the victim or the victim's family, significant emotional and psychology distress can become a major obstacle in treatment or assistance.
Courtroom Psychology is not limited to the courtroom. It involves assisting lawyers in jury evaluation and selection, expert witness testimony such as for competency to stand trial, commitment to an institution or hospital, family law issues such as child custody suits, and a great many more tasks involved in legal proceedings and settings. This field is often referred to as Legal Psychology, and also occasionally labeled "Psychology and Law."
Correctional Psychology involves prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities and their programs. These jobs can include counseling services, rehabilitation services, assessments and evaluations, and more.
How to Specialize in Forensic Psychology
While it is rare to find a Doctoral program in Forensic Psychology, it is becoming less rare to find Masters level programs that specialize in the field. Canada, Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. lead the world in Forensic Psychology, but schools and countries everywhere are catching up.
The majority of Psychologists working in Forensic settings have acquired a PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology, and possibly a diplomate status issued by the American Board of Professional Psychology, which is a certification (not a license) attesting to the extensive knowledge of and expertise in that professional's field. Licensure in Forensic Psychology has not yet been established.
The difference between a PhD and PsyD is relatively small, and focuses mainly on the difference in the amount of research and work involved. If your main goal is to be involved in research, a PhD is your best option, but if you plan primarily to treat patients and avoid research then a PsyD is a slightly easier goal.
Without a Doctoral level education, it is difficult to acquire a license as a Psychologist, however, some states do have licensing available for those with a Masters Degree but you would receive a different "non-psychologist" title upon licensing. For example, licensing at the Masters level could provide titles such as "Licensed Psychological Associate" or LPA, "Licensed Mental Health Counselor", "Marriage and Family Therapist", "Psychotherapist", etc. The licensing specifications differ from state to state. A Doctorate degree awards the bearer the title "doctor" and it is the minimum requirement, with licensure, in Psychology to diagnose a patient as having a specific condition.
Resources:1. Bartol, Curt R. Bartol, Anne M. (2008) Current Perspectives in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behavior
2. Bartol, Curt R. Bartol, Anne M. (2008) Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application
3. http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic.aspx
4. http://www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3356
Sasha Maggio - Sasha holds her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Hawaii (minor in Japanese) and M.A. in Forensic Psychology from Argosy ...
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