Forensic Psy, Lec 1

Forensic Psychology
Introduction of
Forensic Psychology
Department of Applied Psychology

Government College Women University,
Faisalabad
Course Objectives:
• To impart knowledge pertaining to the psychology of

criminal and crime
• To make students aware of the psychological aspects
involved in legal system
• To enable students to comprehend the nature of crimes
and methods to assess criminal behavior from
psychological perspectives
In this lecture
▪ Introduction of Forensic Psychology

▪ Definition of Forensic Psychology
▪ Responsibilities Forensic Psychologist
▪ Identifying who can work as Forensic Psychologist
Definition
Forensic psychology is psychology applied to the
work of courts of law. However, nowadays the
term is used rather more generally to include all
aspects of the criminal justice system

Definition
Forensic psychology is the provision of psychological

information for the purpose of facilitating a legal
decision.
(Blackburn, 1996)
Definition
Definitions of terms like ‘forensic psychology’ have changed

somewhat over the years. For example, in the 1980s and
1990s when the field was beginning its rapid expansion,
some influential psychologists defined forensic psychology in
terms of the professional activities of practitioners working
primarily or almost exclusively in law courts.
Definition
Gudjonsson and Haward (1998) were proponents of such a

viewpoint when they defined ‘forensic psychology’ as:
that branch of applied psychology which is concerned with

the collection, examination and presentation of evidence for
judicial purposes
Definition
❑Currently, forensic psychology is defined in terms of activities beyond courts of
law. For example, the British Psychological Society extends the definition to
include much of the criminal justice system beyond courts of law. Indeed, the
British Psychological Society does not mention courts of law currently

Definition
Forensic psychology deals with the psychological aspects of legal

processes, including applying theory to criminal investigations,
understanding psychological problems associated with criminal
behaviour, and the treatment of criminals
British Psychological Society (2017)
Definition
Forensic psychologists are scientist-practitioners. They apply

psychological knowledge, theory and skills to the understanding
and functioning of legal and criminal justice systems, and to
conducting research in relevant areas. They often work in criminal,
civil and family legal contexts and provide services for litigants,
perpetrators, victims, and personnel of government and
community organizations
Australian Psychological Society (2017)
Definition
Forensic psychology refers to professional practice by any

psychologist working within any sub-discipline of psychology (e.g.,
clinical, developmental, social, cognitive) when applying the
scientific, technical, or specialized knowledge of psychology to the
law to assist in addressing legal, contractual, and administrative
matters
American Psychological Association (2017)
Definition and SCOPE
Wrightsman (2001) mentions the following as some of the things
done by psychologists in the context of the law:
• A mediator psychologist employed by a law firm to mediate

between parties in an attempt to resolve legal disputes.
• A social psychologist dealing with civil cases such as commercial
litigation. The psychologist conducts surveys of roleplaying ‘jurors’
in order to assess what might work in a real trial.
• A counselling psychologist who works on the assessment of

potentially violent behaviors for the US secret service. For example,
threats of violence are often made to the national leaders – which
ones are to be taken seriously?
• A correctional psychologist who assesses the competence of

prisoners to stand trial and makes suggestions about possible
treatments for particular offenders.
• A clinical psychologist in private practice. This psychologist
works as a consultant to police departments
Identifying who should be entitled to call themselves forensic
psychologists
• The first (establishing what forensic is) is essentially addressed by all of the
definitions discussed so far.
• The question of who is qualified to call themselves a forensic psychologist
involves identifying the nature of the skills and knowledge required by anyone
working in the field, apart from a basic training in psychology itself.
• In the United Kingdom, it has been suggested that forensic psychologists (i.e.
all chartered forensic psychologists) should possess the following knowledge
and skills (DCLP Training Committee, 1994).
psychologists
• An understanding of the conceptual basis of their work context in terms of:

the psychology relevant to the study of criminal behavior;
the legal framework including the law and structure of the criminal justice
system, for example, of the country in which they practice.
psychologists
• An understanding of the achievements and potential achievements of the

application of psychology to:
• criminal investigation processes;
• legal processes;
• custodial processes;
• treatment processes (for both offenders and victims).
psychologists
A sufficiently detailed understanding of the psychology relevant to the following

individuals, including adults and children where appropriate:
• offenders (whether or not mentally disordered);
• victims;
• witnesses;
• investigators.
psychologists
An understanding of the practical aspects of forensic psychology in terms of the

following:
• different demands for assessment;
• processes of investigation, prosecution and defense;
• decision making in respect of innocence, guilt, sentencing, custody
psychologists
❑ treatment and rehabilitation;

• approaches to assessment;
• professional criteria for report production and giving of testimony
❑ This is combined with an additional requirement of having had extensive
practical experience in at least one area of forensic psychology
END SLIDE
▪ Introduction of Forensic Psychology
▪ Definition of Forensic Psychology
▪ Responsibilities Forensic Psychologist

▪ Identifying who can work as Forensic
Psychologist
Brain Storming
▪ What is the difference between a
psychologist and Forensic
Psychologist?
▪ Difference between Clinical

Psychologist and Forensic
Psychologist?
END SLIDE
Class discussion

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Forensic Psychology

Department of Applied Psychology

• To impart knowledge pertaining to the psychology of

▪ Introduction of Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is psychology applied to the

work of courts of law. However, nowadays the

term is used rather more generally to include all

aspects of the criminal justice system

Forensic psychology is the provision of psychological

Definitions of terms like ‘forensic psychology’ have changed

Gudjonsson and Haward (1998) were proponents of such a

that branch of applied psychology which is concerned with

❑Currently, forensic psychology is defined in terms of activities beyond courts of

British Psychological Society does not mention courts of law currently

Forensic psychology deals with the psychological aspects of legal

Forensic psychologists are scientist-practitioners. They apply

Forensic psychology refers to professional practice by any

• A mediator psychologist employed by a law firm to mediate

• A counselling psychologist who works on the assessment of

• A correctional psychologist who assesses the competence of

• An understanding of the conceptual basis of their work context in terms of:

• An understanding of the achievements and potential achievements of the

A sufficiently detailed understanding of the psychology relevant to the following

An understanding of the practical aspects of forensic psychology in terms of the

❑ treatment and rehabilitation;

▪ Introduction of Forensic Psychology

▪ Definition of Forensic Psychology

▪ Responsibilities Forensic Psychologist

▪ Difference between Clinical

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