Information About Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychology, also known as forensic psychology, is a specialized field within the criminal justice system. Forensic psychologists help lawyers and detectives from the psychological or sociological viewpoint. They offer insight into what mental processes motivate criminals. This information can be useful in the investigation and prosecution of criminals.

Psychological Issues

• Criminal psychologists obtain a deeper understanding of motive and intent by interviewing criminals and witnesses, according to the website Masters in Criminal Justice. They aid police and legal officers with apprehending criminals, evaluating both the witnesses and suspects, picking jury members and any other psychological or sociological issues. Criminal psychologists have a wide area of expertise in such areas as the legal system, public policy, psychology, the public view of criminal behavior, profiling, demographics, mental illness and insanity and the criminals themselves.

Forensic Science

• Criminal psychology differs vastly from forensic science, according to CriminalJusticeUSA.com. While forensic science deals with physical and tangible evidence, the forensic psychologist deals with the intangible--the criminal mind. Criminal psychologists delve into a number of psychological issues, such as sexual deviance, psychopathic behavior or other psychoses associated with both the crime itself and the suspect, and then apply these insights to better serve justice. They are frequently asked to determine the competency and mental state of a defendant from the time of the crime through the entire legal proceedings.

Education

• There are not many academic institutions that actually offer a specific degree in criminal or forensic psychology, according to CriminalJusticeUSA.com. Generally, persons interested in pursuing the forensic psychology field start with education centered on both psychology and criminal justice. Criminal investigative, clinical, cognitive, developmental and social psychology classes are also beneficial.

Further Learning

• Sometimes a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or psychology is not sufficient in this specialized field, according to CriminalJusticeUSA.com. Some prospective employers prefer more than a bachelor's degree. Some state laws require a doctoral degree to become a licensed psychologist, which often goes hand in hand with the forensic psychology position. Social and abnormal psychology, criminology and criminal law and statistics are all excellent undergraduate classes for those interested in a career in forensic psychology.

Stability

• The field of forensic or criminal psychology has gained popularity since the 1990s, according to CriminalJusticeUSA.com. More and more legal systems are consulting the forensic psychology field to research and build their criminal cases. Forensic or criminal psychologists find themselves working with more juvenile offenders as the laws change and new ways of dealing with young delinquents are developed.