Index
- What is Forensic Psychology?
- What is the function of Forensic Psychology?
- What are the subspecialties within Forensic Psychology?
What is forensic psychology?
Psychology in a general sense studies human behavior and conduct. Within it we find forensic psychology, which is the branch of psychology that deals with intervention in the judicial or legal system.
Forensic psychology is a discipline that is built with contributions from other fields such as educational, clinical and social psychology. In addition, it uses resources from criminology, victimology and mediation processes.
A forensic psychologist must be trained in law, but it is also necessary for him or her to master other types of skills. This type of specialist must be able to clinically analyze a person, taking into account both speech and non-verbal communication. That is to say, he/she will require a wide clinical experience that will allow him/her to make a diagnosis of pathologies and their possible evolution. In addition, he/she must have analytical reasoning and sufficient skills to be able to express in writing the conclusions obtained in the judicial process.
What is the function of a forensic psychologist?
Forensic psychology has a wide range of fields of action. That is to say, a forensic psychologist can intervene in the criminal, labor, civil and family areas.
One of the main functions of a forensic psychologist is to carry out expert opinions and psychological reports on the parties involved in a judicial process. In addition, he/she is in charge of assessing psychological damage to victims and studies the psychological conditions of the person accused of a crime, to determine if he/she is in full use of his/her faculties. In other words, he or she advises judges and lawyers in the development of a trial and in the subsequent determination of a sentence.
On the other hand, a forensic psychologist may also be in charge of the evaluation of a possible probation or family law related processes, such as the custody and care of minors or the challenge of guardianships.
What sub-specialties are there within Forensic Psychology?
Forensic psychology has the ability to intervene in different areas, so there are different types of psychology:
– Criminological psychology: studies human criminal behavior.
– Forensic psychophysiology: evaluates the veracity of statements through paraphysiological language.
– Legal psychology of minors and family: mainly involved in the custody of minors and visiting arrangements. It also acts in cases of child abuse, child sexual abuse and bullying.
– Penitentiary psychology: acts in the context of penitentiary institutions, their social climate, treatment and reinsertion.
– Crime prevention psychology: attempts to prevent crimes and social problems.
– Victimology: intervenes in judicial contexts from the victims’ point of view, analyzing victimization and de-victimization processes. It evaluates the psychological consequences of the victim, the credibility of his or her testimony and moral damage.