What is Forensic Psychology?

When my students arrived for their first forensic psychology lecture, I would always start by giving them 10 minutes to write down an answer to the question what is forensic psychology?

Before reading on, why not quickly write down what you think forensic psychology is.

The reason I did this was because despite the fact that every single undergraduate psychology student (about 180 of them) chose to do the forensic psychology course; not one of them came to see me in advance to ask what the course was about.

Now bear in mind students chose their courses well in advance of the start date, and in order to make an informed choice they were all strongly advised to speak to the lecturer running the courses they were interested in before making a final decision. So why the no show?

I can't hear a thing, can you?



I suspect, well actually I know because I discussed it with the students afterwards, that they didn't feel they had to find out what forensic psychology is, because they already had a preconceived idea.

I mentioned I would give students 10 minutes to write down an answer to the question what is forensic psychology, what I didn't mention, however, is that after about 2 minutes I would ask for their attention and apologise for forgetting to tell them that they weren't allowed to use the words serial killers or silence of the lambs in their answer. It was usually as this point that most of the writing in the lecture theatre stopped.



If you're thinking I would have stopped writing as well, please contain your disappointment and don't rush off just yet. The answer to the question, what is forensic psychology may not quite be what you thought, but that doesn't mean that the subject has to be any less engaging.

The first thing to appreciate when addressing the question is that even psychologists in the field are divided as to what the answer is.

The division of criminological and legal psychology within the British Psychological Society argued for twenty years as to whether their members should be entitled to call themselves Chartered Forensic Psychologists. It was finally agreed that they should, however, there still remains a great deal of debate and controversy surrounding the issue.

A fragmented discipline?

The central problem is that its members are drawn from a wide range of disciplines, so it is always difficult to state what the boundaries are when you talk of Forensic Psychology.

Psychologists in the prison/correctional services

Clinical psychologists in special hospitals & the psychiatric services

Educational psychologists

Occupational psychologists

Academics

Now while it is important to acknowledge that this fragmentation of role exists, it is just as important to realise that these different groups are linked to forensic psychology because their work, expert knowledge or research activity is somehow connected with the law.

This legal connection makes perfect sense when you consider that the word forensic comes from the Latin forensis, which literally means appertaining to the forum, specifically the imperial court of Rome. So in essence:

The debate as to what is and what isn’t forensic psychology rests primarily on the nature of psychology’s relationship with the legal system.

My preferred definition of forensic psychology is:

That branch of applied psychology which is concerned with the collection, examination and presentation of evidence for judicial purposes (Haward 1981).

If you adopt this definition you are stating categorically that Forensic Psychology relates to the provision of psychological information for the purpose of facilitating a legal decision (Blackburn 1996).

There is a school of thought that would claim that any activity that links psychology to the law deserves to be described as Forensic. I’m not going to try and convince you which is right, although I do have a strong opinion on the mater; the main thing is that you know that this debate exists.

Summary

In answering the question, what is forensic psychology we have discovered that:

In essence, forensic psychology refers to the application of psychology within a legal context.

The debate as to what is & what is not forensic psychology relates to the nature of this legal application & the level at which it is applied.

And this debate raises a number of questions that you need to think about. In particular:

The boundaries of forensic psychology

The role of the forensic psychologist

The credibility of forensic psychology

This article is taken from my main forensic psychology website.

Click Here To Visit The Site

Criminal Forensic Studies Degree Review: Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers (USA):



Bachelor of Science in Criminal Forensic Studies:

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Forensic Studies provides students with the skills requisite to the investigation of criminal offenses and the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of criminal offenders. This curriculum integrates the theoretical perspectives of different disciplines pertaining to deviant and criminal behavior with the practice of identification, procurement, and presentation of evidence resulting from criminal activity.

This program builds upon a solid liberal arts core to achieve a balanced criminal justice perspective, which includes an emphasis upon the victim, the offender, the criminal justice system, and society. Recognizing the multidisciplinary nature of Forensics, this curriculum blends crime scene analysis, laboratory analysis, behavioral analysis, and constitutional criminal law. The program’s objective is to develop a sound educational foundation for graduate work or professional practice at the bachelor’s level. It is designed as a scholar/practitioner curriculum providing students with advanced levels of knowledge in criminal investigation, thus increasing the employment potential for the graduates of this degree.

Typical Study Areas

Criminal Justice Systems and Processes

Forensic Psychology

Theories of Criminal Behavior

Introduction to Criminalistics

Research Methods in Criminal Justice

Interview and Interrogation

Constitutional Criminal Law

Ethics in the Criminal Justice System

Advanced Criminalistics

Advanced Forensic Psychology

Forensic Anthropology

Introduction to Forensic Science

Forensic Microscopy

Other Information



Contact Information

Click Here To Request more information and/or an application for admission

About Fort Myers

Click Here To See The Official Fort Myers website

Click Here To See The Fort Myers Wikipedia Page

Are You Doing This Degree Course?



If so, why not tell people what you think by clicking on the comments link below.

The best way to save this criminal forensic studies degree review for future reference is to click on the social bookmark this link below.

Forensic Psychology Forum

I've just launched a brand new forensic psychology forum which will hopefully provide an informal and friendly environment for people to share their interest in forensic psychology.

Posting categories include:

General Forensic Psychology

Criminal Profiling

Psychopathy

Forensic Assessment

Eye Witness Testimony

Forensic Psychology Research

Forensic Psychology Q & A

Anybody can read the forum posts but you will need to register for free if you want to post.

All the best

David

Click Here To Visit The Forensic Psychology Forum

Forensic Psychology Job Opportunity: Jury Consultant (research Analyst): Washington DC (USA)

Litigators are looking for sophisticated strategic advice to help them win at trial. DOAR’s jury consultants provide this advice based on sound jury research and analytical graphics consultation.

Jury consultants are responsible for carrying out the day-to-day jury research and strategic graphics responsibilities. Some examples of these responsibilities include reading case materials, constructing questionnaires, coordinating the recruitment of mock jurors, facilitating focus-group panels, writing analyses of findings, and developing analytical graphics. Jury consultants are also responsible for the overall project management of research and graphics engagements (i.e., organizing, monitoring, and managing research events and graphics meetings).

As Jury Consultants gain more experience, they become increasingly positioned as the lead strategists and consultants on jury research and graphics cases, and will be responsible for forging, managing and maintaining high-level relationships with clients. They are also called upon to lead sales pitch meetings with potential new clients, and becoming actively involved in conferences and speaking engagements.

Senior Jury Consultants spend approximately 50% of their time participating as the lead strategist/consultant(including managing the client relationship) on jury research and graphics cases. The remaining 50 percent of their time is spent developing new business, expanding upon existing business, and participating at conferences and speaking engagements.

DOAR offers a competitive compensation package plus sales incentive, Medical/Dental benefits, matching 401k retirement plan, PTO, Referral programs and more. DOAR is an equal opportunity employer.



Candidate Requirements:

Ph.D. in the social sciences

No previous jury consulting experience necessary. Successful candidates, however, must have expertise in conducting qualitative and quantitative research.

Must have the ability to analyze data and understand its implications with respect to case strategy.

Ability to write with clarity, grammatical correctness, and in a style that “flows”.

Ability to perform well under demanding and changing conditions.

Ability to handle multiple case loads simultaneously.

Ability to forge and maintain high-level relationships with clients.

Ability to plan and execute projects in an effective and efficient manner both internally with Jury Consultant colleagues and externally with clients.

Must be detail-oriented, dependable and be able to maintain deadlines.

Knowledge of Microsoft Word and SPSS. PowerPoint skills preferred but not required.

It is expected that the jury consultant will be traveling approximately 15% of the time. Length of travel will range from 1-2 nights for conducting out of venue research to weeks at a time when supporting a client at trial.



Submit resume via e-mail to careers@doar.com

Find out more about DOAR Litigation Consulting: Click Here To Visit The Main Website

Clinical Psychology Internship Program (Specialty Track in Forensic Psychology): NYU Medical Center

The mission of the NYU-Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program, accredited by the American Psychological Association, is to prepare doctoral candidates for careers as psychologists in a variety of academic, clinical and research settings in both the public and private sectors.

Designed in the Practitioner-Scholar Model, the Program consists of four tracks, including a forensic psychology track and aims to facilitate a smooth transition from doctoral study to professional functioning, teaching advanced clinical skills which integrate theory with practice. Interns in all tracks carry caseloads of adults, adolescents, children, groups and families.



Specialty Track in Forensic Psychology

It is the philosophy of the NYU-Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program that sound clinical knowledge and skills are the basis of competent forensic psychology as it applies to the psychiatrically impaired population. Consequently, this track maintains a dual focus on both general clinical psychology as well as specialized training in forensic psychology.

Through the two main rotations of this track (the Forensic Inpatient Psychiatry Unit at Bellevue Hospital and the Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center), interns are exposed to both acute-care and long-term forensic patients who are at various stages of involvement with the legal system. Each of these rotations is required of interns in the Forensic Track. Their third rotation is of their choosing.

On the Forensic Inpatient Psychiatry Unit, interns work with incarcerated patients who may be pre-arraignment, awaiting trial or post-conviction. Responsibilities include intake interviews, individual and group psychotherapy and psychological assessments. Interns also serve as the primary clinician for one patient at any given time, and have the opportunity to observe evaluations of competency to stand trial. Participation in treatment team meetings and the preparation of discharge summaries are also required components of this rotation.

The Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center is a 164-bed maximum-security hospital located on Wards Island that provides intermediate and long-term evaluation and treatment of forensic patients. Most patients at Kirby have been deemed unfit to proceed with trial or not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect. While on this rotation, interns conduct individual and group psychotherapy as well as a weekly fitness-to-stand-trial group. Interns are also involved in numerous forms of forensic evaluations, including evaluations of competency to stand trial, violence risk assessments, and evaluations of dangerousness.

At both of the forensic rotation sites, interns are active members of multidisciplinary treatment teams comprised of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, activity therapists, nursing staff and other advanced trainees.

Participation in these teams provides the interns with many opportunities to experience the challenges of balancing legal needs and clinical requirements while also integrating treatment and security considerations. Interns completing the Forensic Track acquire greater knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs of forensic patients, also gaining experience in managing the many legal, clinical and organizational issues that affect these individuals.

All psychology interns, regardless of track, obtain advanced training in assessment, diagnosis, and various intervention and treatment modalities. The Program is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.

The NYU-Bellevue clinical population is extremely diverse, including individuals from an array of cultures, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations and socio-economic levels.

Interns have opportunities to gain expertise in areas including development, adolescent behavior, individual adult psychotherapy, neuropsychology, health psychology, inpatient and outpatient assessment and treatment, as well as family and group psychotherapy. Supervision of psychotherapy is conducted according to theoretical orientations including brief dynamic, cognitive, behavioral, and psychodynamic.

The Program takes pride in its long and distinguished history of training fine psychologists who make valuable contributions to clinical, academic, research and public policy arenas, both nationally and internationally.



How to Apply

The NYU-Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program uses the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) application, which can be downloaded from the APPIC website: www.appic.org. The application deadline is November 1st, for consideration for admission on July 1st of the following year. The application consists of the following documents: 1) a cover letter clearly indicating to which of the following four tracks you are applying: General Track, Child and Adolescent Track, Cross-Cultural Track, or Forensic Track.(Please note, each applicant may apply to one track only), 2) an APPIC application, 3) a current curriculum vitae, 4) official copies of all graduate school transcripts, and 5) three letters of recommendation from faculty and/or supervisors familiar with your clinical work, submitted in sealed envelopes signed across the back.
All application materials should be compiled by the applicant and submitted in one envelope. Applications should be mailed or hand-delivered to:

Dr. Alan S. Elliot
NYU-Bellevue Clinical Psychology Internship Program
Bellevue Hospital Center
Room 20 South 17
First Avenue and 27th Street
New York, New York 10016

Find out more about the Internship Program: Click Here To Visit The Main Webpage