subject: Forensic Psychologists Make A Difference [print this page] Forensic psychologists go through a number of years of schooling. They have all of the training of a traditional clinical psychologist, but they use their skills to work in the criminal justice field instead of in a regular clinical setting. Many of the psychologists who work in forensics have doctorates, while others have masters degrees. Forensic psychology is a growing field according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and thats a good sign for anyone who is thinking of entering the field. Best of all, forensic psychologists can make a difference in the world.
In the field of forensic psychology, you will gain insight into the criminal mind that most people dont have, and you can use what you learn to help the police and the criminal justice system. Its possible for forensic psychologists to be part of all steps of an investigation, from the discovery of the crime all the way through the trial. They can use their skills and knowledge of human behavior to help the police develop a profile for the criminal in question, and this can help the police to find their suspect more quickly. They will also be able to offer help in a variety of other areas.
One of the areas where forensic psychologists are valuable is in the court system. They are able to provide evaluations for suspects to determine if they are mentally competent and able to stand trial. In addition, the prosecution and the defense may call their own experts to the stand to testify about psychological aspects of the case. Psychologists can play a role in helping criminals when they are in prison as well. Providing counseling and help in preparations for those who are getting out of prison can be very beneficial, and it can help to stop recidivism in some cases.
By providing help to all of these different areas of the law, its easy to see how these specialists are able to make a difference. As helpful as forensic psychologist can be when it comes to investigations and trials, you will find that the myth of the forensic psychologists is a bit different from the facts. Thanks to books and movies there is the image of the lone psychologist facing off against a serial killer in a climactic showdown. It doesnt usually happen like that! The job of an actual psychologist is quite a bit safer, thankfully.
