Some people’s interest in psychology starts with one simple question: “Why?” Why do criminals do what they do? Why do some people have more extraversion than others? Why do people behave differently in different social situations? Psychologists ask themselves these questions to understand the human mind and behavior. Specifically, in the case of criminal and forensic psychologists, they question the motives and reasonings behind a person’s actions and crimes.
While usually lumped together, criminal and forensic psychologists are different. Forensic psychologists apply psychology to law, advocating for the treatment of clinical behavior in both criminal and civil cases within a courtroom. They’ll examine the factors that influence criminal behavior by analysing the criminal’s social, biological, and psychological life. For example, John Wayne Gacy’s defense team argued him insane and unfit for trial. The forensic psychologists who had analyzed and understood his crimes were able to testify that he clearly and deliberately killed, and it was all premeditated. They were able to help build and create a credible, solid case that ultimately convicted him. Sometimes, forensic psychologists focus more on the victim than the criminal. They’ll advocate for victims, aiding and comforting anyone involved and helping them feel more stable in their day-to-day lives. They can also advise attorneys on the best type of jury to have for their case, teach at universities, and work on government or corporate research.
Some of the pros of this job are the intellectually stimulating analysis of complex behaviors and personalities, the array of different settings available, fewer insurance hassles, and its ultimately rewarding outcomes. On the other hand, forensic psychologists must work on the court’s schedule and be around distressing situations. They must also be bethick-skinnedd as working with criminals isn’t easy. Getting a master’s degree allows the forensic psychologist to work in advocacy and act as a psychological professional in correctional facilities and nonprofits. Advancing the education to a doctoral degree allows for more work in the legal field as then the option to do case analysis and testimonies is open. It can also help the psychologist get into specialized work such as forensic pathology and criminal profiling. This is where the paths of forensic psychology and criminal psychology cross over.
Criminal Psychologists work more with law enforcement and in prisons. Utilizing statistical tools and data trends, criminal behavior theories, and psychological theories, they’ll create portfolios of criminals based on patterns and behaviors. They can also conduct interviews with witnesses, victims, and suspects. Criminal psychologists. They can assist law enforcement and provide insight and direction that law officers might not have because of a lack of psychological understanding. This allows for a better understanding of possible criminals and interrogation techniques based on someone’s behavior and psychological principles. Sometimes, criminal psychologists focus more on finding ways to prevent and manage crime.
Overall, criminal and forensic psychology are different, and both are amazing career paths to check out for future psychologists interested in law.
Sources
University of North Dakota. “Criminal Psychology vs. Forensic Psychology: Which to Choose?” UND Blog, https://und.edu/blog/criminal-psychology-vs-forensic-psychology.html#:~:text=So%2C%20the%20key%20difference%20lies,psychological%20aspects%20of%20legal%20cases. Accessed 8 January 2025.
“What Is Forensic Psychology? A Look at This Exciting Career.” Purdue Global, 2 May 2024, https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/psychology/what-is-forensic-psychology/. Accessed 19 December 2024.
“What is Forensic Psychology | Psychology Careers | TUW.” Touro University Worldwide, 21 November 2024, https://www.tuw.edu/psychology/forensic-psychology/. Accessed 18 February 2025.
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