Forensic psychology has captivated our interest since Dr. Hannibal Lecter made his debut on the silver screen in 1991. Since then (and even prior), an untold number of movies, TV shows, and books have centered around the profession. This has prompted many to ask questions like, “Is forensic psychology as sensational and exciting as it looks?” And “What do forensic psychologists do, exactly?”

The quick answer is that forensic psychologists work at the intersection between psychology and the judicial and legal systems.¹ They perform a variety of tasks that may range from establishing if suspects are mentally fit to face charges to investigating allegations of child abuse. In other words, it’s a broad field filled with complexities (and, yes, potentially intriguing cases).

In this blog, we’ll map out the basics of forensic psychology and the main responsibilities a forensic psychologist handles. We’ll also explore the path toward becoming one and the rewards the profession may offer.

What Is Forensic Psychology?

The American Psychological Association (APA) defines forensic psychology as a specialty within the field of psychology that provides informed, professional expertise in the legal and judicial systems.²

Why would a psychologist play a role in law and criminal justice?

Some individuals (both defendants and plaintiffs) may have a psychiatric condition or behavioral and/or psychological traits that are critical to legal decisions, such as a suspect with substance abuse disorder or a juvenile offender with schizophrenia. To this end, forensic psychologists often work in two primary areas:

• Civil litigation – A forensic psychologist may be brought in to consult on civil cases, such as workers’ compensation, child custody, disability, or personal injury.
• Criminal proceedings – On the other end of the spectrum, a forensic psychologist might work with populations involved in criminal cases. This work may involve evaluating defendants who may need psychiatric treatment and advising on sentencing considerations for juveniles.

It’s important to note here that not all psychologists who play a part in the judicial and legal systems are forensic psychologists. Neurologists, clinical psychologists, and even school psychologists may also offer their insights, analysis, and suggestions in civil and criminal legal cases.

Key Responsibilities for Forensic Psychologists 

The leading responsibilities of forensic psychologists depend on the case, the organization they work for, and their area of expertise. That said, they may:

• Offer psychological services/counseling to prisoners and inmates
• Examine child custody cases
• Evaluate children in child abuse cases 
• Perform competency assessments
• Advise on treatment plans for criminal offenders
• Provide sentencing recommendations
• Create correctional programs
• Serve as a consultant in witness preparation, jury selection, and legal tactics

Additionally, a forensic psychologist may be asked to act as an expert witness during a trial or to provide a jury with information on a specific criminal behavior or psychological issue.

Education and Qualifications Needed 

Interest in forensic psychology has skyrocketed in recent years.

In 2022 alone, 2,491 forensic psychology degrees were awarded to students in the United States, representing a growth of 8.78%.³ Some educational institutions now offer dual degree programs in law and psychology; other aspiring forensic psychologists choose to further their undergraduate studies (and understanding of the human mind) with a master’s of science in forensic behavioral science.

All that said, the specific skills and qualifications needed to become a forensic psychologist depend on the law enforcement agency or organization you hope to work for and the niche that you are interested in. Further, while there’s no single route to becoming a forensic psychologist, individuals may follow this path:

• Earn a bachelor’s degree – Forensic psychologist hopefuls usually earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology or forensics, or a related field such as criminology.⁴ So, if you’re at the start of your educational journey, you may benefit from forensic psychology program courses that concentrate on subjects like:
  • Cognitive psychology
  • Criminal psychology
  • Abnormal behavior
  • Deviant psychology
  • Criminal justice
  • Law
• Pursue a master’s degree – A master’s degree, such as a master’s of science in forensic behavioral science, is typically the minimum requirement to work in forensic psychology as a consultant or researcher.
• Obtain a doctorate degree – Do you have your eye on working directly with clients, such as providing counseling to inmates? As with all clinical psychologists, you’ll need a doctoral degree, either a PhD or a PsyD, for your professional practice.
  
  What’s the difference between a PhD and PsyD? A PhD focuses on research, while a PsyD emphasizes practical, clinical skills.⁵ If you choose this path for your forensic psychology career, bear in mind that you’ll also have to obtain state licensure, which generally requires passing a state exam and gaining supervised clinical experience.
• Gain relevant experience – For those who decide to pursue a doctorate, this may involve postdoctoral training in either research or a clinical setting. Those who receive a master’s might explore internships, or positions in behavioral health.⁶

Determined to rise to the top of your field? You may also benefit from seeking out board certification in forensic psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology.

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Essential Skills for Forensic Psychologists

As you enroll in a forensic psychology degree program, gaining field experience is another prerequisite to succeeding as a forensic psychologist. However, the profession also benefits from other characteristics, including:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• An interest in (and knack for) research
• Critical thinking 
• Objectivity, or the ability to remain neutral

Lastly, forensic psychologists frequently deal with individuals who may have suffered from a traumatic crime or suspects with serious mental health conditions. For this reason, it’s important to express empathy to everyone involved in a case.

What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?: Daily Tasks and Activities

The routine tasks and activities a forensic psychologist might perform may be as unique as the different individuals they see. For example, a graduate of a master’s forensic psychology program might aim to become a criminal profiler—a specialist who constructs profiles on offenders.⁷ Another forensic psychologist may discover their calling in counseling at-risk teens in crime prevention programs.

To phrase it differently, your daily responsibilities will, as mentioned, depend on your skillset and place of employment, whether that’s a government agency, a psychiatric facility, a private practice, or a prison.⁸

As such, a forensic psychologist may:

• Provide psychological treatment to criminals at a mental health center
• Work for a nonprofit to lobby for changes in the judicial and/or correctional system
• Conduct academic research on criminal behavior 
• Evaluate the risk of repeat offenders
• Perform threat assessments (determining who might commit a violent act)
• Testify in court on a disability claim
• Offer counseling to victims of crimes⁹
• Screen applicants for law enforcement positions
• Direct treatment and/or intervention programs for juvenile offenders
• Interview parents on a separate basis in child custody cases

As you can see, the field of forensic psychology is vast and varied, and that’s one of its perks. It’s also a career that has a substantial influence on the criminal justice system—a topic we’ll look into next.

Impact on Criminal Justice System 

Forensic psychologists play a pivotal role in the criminal justice system.

One of their most important tasks is applying their knowledge of mental health and human behavior to determine if a suspect is responsible for a crime. They’re also consulted to assess whether an individual is psychologically or mentally competent to stand trial (CST), or requires treatment. As discussed, they may also:

• Influence jury selection 
• Assess juror behaviors during a trial 
• Inform jury members on the psychological matters relevant to the case
• Provide evaluations on the litigating parties
• Serve as an expert witness in criminal proceedings

Accordingly, a forensic psychologist may be court-appointed at any point in the judicial process: pretrial, trial, and posttrial.

What is the Difference Between Forensic Psychology and Criminal Psychology?

At this point, you may be asking if there’s a difference between criminal psychology and forensic psychology, as they’re often used interchangeably and similarities exist.

Even still, the answer is yes—they’re two distinct specialties:

• Criminal psychology concentrates on the inner workings of criminal behavior, the motives underlying crimes, and diagnosing mental health conditions.
• Forensic psychology encompasses not just criminal psychology but also a large part of the legal and criminal justice system; as such, a forensic psychologist works with a wider array of people, including attorneys, juries, police officers, investigators, and inmates.

Dive Into Forensic Psychology at Alliant International University 

Forensic psychology wasn’t officially recognized by the APA until 2001, but it has nonetheless made a huge impact on the nation’s legal and judicial systems (to say nothing of its effect on the lives of offenders and survivors). Indeed, the application of forensic psychology has had a hand in several landmark criminal cases, including the apprehension and prosecution of the Unabomber, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Ted Bundy.¹⁰

If you have a passion for law and psychology, broadening your knowledge of forensic psychology might be the educational direction you’ve been hoping to find—and Alliant International University may be the optimal spot to move into the specialty. The Alliant Master’s of Science in Forensic Behavioral Science provides candidates with the skills and knowledge they need to approach crises from a scientific, methodological perspective. The program also offers several unique concentrations, including trial consulting and forensic victimology.

Discover forensic psychology at Alliant International University. Reach out to an admissions officer for more personalized information.

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Sources:

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2. “Forensic Psychology.” American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
3. “Forensic Psychology.” Data USA. https://datausa.io/profile/cip/forensic-psychology-422812. Accessed June 26, 2024.
4. “Forensic Psychologist: Requirements & Degree Paths.” CareersinPsychology.org |, September 11, 2023. https://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-forensic-psychologist/. Accessed June 25, 2024.
5. Tobin, James. “How to Become a Forensic Psychologist.” Psychology.org | Psychology’s Comprehensive Online Resource, April 11, 2024. https://www.psychology.org/careers/forensic-psychologist/. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
6. How to become a forensic psychologist (with salary) | indeed.com, June 30, 2023. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a…. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
7. What is a criminal profiler? Key Job Duties and Skills. https://www.indeed.com/hire/c/info/what-is-a-profiler. Accessed June 25, 2024. 
8. “Forensic and Public Service Psychology.” American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/forensic. Accessed June 26, 2024. 
9. Jordan, Candina. “Forensic Psychology: How Psychology Is Applied in the Legal Arena.” WebMD, May 31, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/what-is-forensic-psychology. Accessed June 26, 2024. 
10. Cassick, Callie, and Fox News. “Criminal Profiling: The Techniques Used by Police to Catch Dangerous Offenders.” Fox News, March 28, 2024. https://www.foxnews.com/us/true-crime-criminal-profiling. Accessed June 25, 2024.