Forensic Psychology applies the science and principles of psychology to answer legal questions.
One of the exciting and appealing depictions of Forensic Psychology on films, television, and the news media is tracking down killers with the help of psychology. Although this is a function that Forensic Psychologists fulfill in certain careers, it is by far not the only role participated in, although it is also important.
Almost half a million people are murdered worldwide each year!
If we assume that two percent of these (which exclude war, terrorism, and armed conflict deaths) die at the hands of serial and mass killers, and four victims per perpetrator, there are about 2,500 of these offenders active in any year. As they cause great devastation in communities, important work is done by Forensic Psychologists to understand and prevent these homicides. But, Forensic Psychologists contribute much more to the whole criminal and civil justice systems than this!
Forensic Psychologists fulfill other important roles in addition to analyzing killers!
In fact, a Forensic Psychologist gets involved in the entire justice process, from research to understand criminal behavior, identifying, convicting, sentencing, assessing, and rehabilitating offenders, to civil and family courts.
Some of the functions typically performed within Forensic Psychology include:
• Competency evaluations
• Sentencing recommendations
• Evaluations of the risk of reoffending
• Testimony as an expert witness
• Child custody evaluations
Today, just more than 10 years after the recognition of Forensic Psychology as a separate specialty field by professional organizations, most professionals are employed in prison systems in developed countries.
There are about 9 million prisoners worldwide, including over 2 million in the U.S.
Research has found that a sizeable proportion of prisoners suffer from mental illnesses such as personality disorders, depression, PTSD, substance abuse, and psychosis. Forensic Psychologists perform an important role to assess, predict risk, and treat these prisoners.
Therefore, you will enjoy this book if you:
• Enjoy learning about the law and how psychology can contribute to the justice system
• Are interested in resolving crisis situations and helping victims
• Like to use analytics to make objective decisions about the human mind and behavior
• Believe that all persons are entitled to be treated fairly in legal proceedings
• Are convinced that deeply disturbed and dangerous persons can sometimes be helped
But, most of all, Forensic Psychology is a fascinating and evolving field of expertise as it peers into the complex human mind and tries to understand and predict human behavior. It is a formidable task, but science takes us forward one step at a time.
About the author:
Joan Swart is a Forensic Psychologist practitioner, author, and lecturer specializing in personality disorders, behavioral analysis, and risk assessment violent perpetrators. Her Amazon author page can be viewed at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00VGHJDXQ, and her LinkedIn profile is available at http://www.linkedin.com/in/joansw. Also stay updated with her latest books and publications by joining her Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/ForensicPsychDr or her Twitter page at https://twitter.com/ForensicPsychDr.