subject: Working As A Forensic Psychologist [print this page] Youve probably seen the popular image of a forensic psychologist through television or in books. In fiction, the psychologists will be a key part of a murder case, and they might even track down the killer alone. From Silence of the Lambs to Bones, forensic psychologists have been a popular stable of crime fiction on the screen and in books. However, when you get your degree and begin your work as a forensic psychologist, you will see that the reality of what these psychologists do is a bit different from what pop culture tends to think.
The psychologist is going to need to have training in criminology in most cases. In some instances, the specialist will take classes, and other times they may have on the job training. Having some training in criminology is important because forensic psychologists have to deal with and work within the bounds of the law. They will also have to be expert witnesses in trials, so understanding the laws is vital to the success of a case. Some psychologists even choose to work in law enforcement.
You will find that forensic psychologists are able to work in many different areas of the criminal justice system. Some of them will work in the courts, others may work in prisons and detention centers, and others could work directly with the police and other law enforcement agencies. Others choose to go into teaching to train the next generation of forensic psychologists. You will have many different choices in the field.
Because there are so many different areas in which a forensic psychologist is able to work, its hard to narrow down what the day-to-day life is going to be like in this field. The job of a criminal profiler is going to be different from someone who works in the court system to determine whether someone is competent enough to stand trial. With all of these different areas, its a good idea to do some research to see which type of forensic psychologist you might want to be. Find others who are working in the field to get the real scoop on what life is like.
However, no matter what type of forensic psychologist you are, you are going to need to do plenty of research. You will interview criminals, and you can use those interviews and insights to further your research. Studying case files of other criminals is helpful as well. When you are a forensic psychologist, you are always going to keep learning.
