FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Forensic Psychology

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Abstract

This paper studies forensic psychology. Forensic psychology interlinks law and psychology as well as provides guidance in legal decision making. It deals with the psychological problems of criminal or witness such as, assessment of crime scene, intention and mental state of criminal or witness.

Forensic psychology has different branches like cognitive, criminal, clinical investigative, and developmental psychology. Forensic psychologist can make a huge difference to other's people life.

Forensic Psychology

Introduction

Oxford English Dictionary defines the word "forensic" in the context of law courts. Hence, forensic psychology deals with the applications of psychology in providing assistance to the criminal justice system. Wrightsman (2001) argues that forensic psychology helps the legal system to deals with the knowledge of psychology.

Blackburn (1996) argues the broader sense of forensic psychology is also related to crime; for instance, rebellious behavior development, studying different types of criminals, and avoidance of crime. The use of forensic psychology in investigations increases immensely.

The terms forensic science and forensic psychology sound quite similar, but they deal in different perspectives in providing assistance to the court of law. Forensic psychology is associated in dealing the psychosomatic, mental, and emotional perspectives of offender, new policies of police, capability, and aptitude of the perpetrator or witness at the time of the crime. However, forensic science evaluates or test the evidences obtained from the crime scene. Moreover, all the information associated with the angle of psychological and law of court comes under forensic psychology, such as analyzing and takes care of criminal psychological condition, mentality, intention, as well as practicing within the civil boundary.

Discussion

Hugo Munsterberg is considered as the father of psychology. He was a German psychologist. In 1892, William James invited him at Harvard University to set up a psychological laboratory. The Munterberg argued that the application of psychology is in every field such as education, law, and industry. He argues that psychologist may better understand and provides the reliable insight on the testimony of witness.

The field of forensic psychology has various branches like cognitive, clinical, criminal investigative, and developmental psychology. In addition, forensic psychology deals with the criminal justice traditional options. The traditional options of criminal justice are academic instruction, guidance, and training; enforcement of law, and modification or amendments (Crighton & Towl, 2010).

The cognitive psychology is concerned with the issues or problems related socio-psychological as well as have some importance in legal perspective. Clinical psychology ...