FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Presentation by: MSc Psychology

DEFINITION• Forensic Psychology is the intersection between psychology

and the Justice System. In other words, it is the branch of psychology that interacts with the law.• That branch of applied psychology which is concerned with

the collection, examination and presentation of evidence judicial purposes. ( Haward 1981) • The provision of psychological information for the purpose

of facilitating a legal decision. (Blackburn 1996)

APA Division of forensic Psychology

• In 2001 APA officially recognized forensic Psychology as a specialization in psychology with subsequent re-certification in 2008.• APA division 41,(American psychology law society)

• Since the Cain killed his brother Abel, which was the first recoded murder, people have been fascinated by crime (Bartol & Bartol 1999). From wanting to know how to keep people from hurting each other. How to predict criminal activity, catching the “bad guy” and all the way to the court room, forensic psychology has become a great tool in the criminal justice system. • The roots of modern day Forensic Psychology were not established

until the early part of the 20th century. The modern era can be traced to the late

History

• After WW2 significant growth could be seen in the field of Forensic Psychology during the past 3 decades.• In 1887 Coroners act ensured that an integral of the Coroner’s role

was to determine the circumstances and the medical causes of sudden, violent, and unnatural deaths.• James Mckeen Cattell studied the psychology of testimony(1890-

1896).• Hugo Munsterberg often referred to as the father of applied

psychology. In his book “On the Witness Stand” which was published in 1908, he reviewed research on such topics as the reliability of eye witness testimony, false confessions, and crime detection an prevention.

HISTORY CONT…• Lousit Terman first American to use mental test as part of

law enforcement screening test(1916-1917).• Karl Marbe IN 1922 first psychologist to testify in a civil trial.• In 1932 chair of legal medicine at Harvard was established • Alfred Binet his work is psychological testing served a basis

for many modern assessments.•William Stern researched the accuracy of expert testimony.

(The Journal of Abnormal & Social Psychology, 1939)

HISTORY CONT…

•William Marston His discovery about the correlation among systolic blood pressure and lying lead to the design of the modern polygraph detector. (Journal of the American institute of criminal law & Criminology vol15. no.1. May 1924)• The modern Era can be traced to the late 1960s when two

psychologists Jay Ziskin & Eric Dreikurs began discussions that led to the creation of the Forensic Psychology’s first professional association and the development of the American Psychology_law of society (APLS)

Branches of Forensic psychology

• Clinical forensic psychology• Developmental forensic psychology• Social forensic psychology• Criminal investigated • Criminal profiling • Rehabilitation centers• Crime trends

WHERE AND HOW FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY IS USEFUL• In The CourtFamily, civil and criminal courtsForensic psychologists testify in an estimated of all federal civil trails• Consulting with lawyers Convincing the jury Witness preparationHelp attorneys in presenting cases and evidence to jurors.• Jury selectionLawyers hire psychologist as jury selection consultant • Police department counseling of police officers screening/ selected police personnel and training or

organizational development.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CRIMINAL AND FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY:

• While Both Professionals Generally Have Decorated in Psychology .A criminal

Psychologist Evaluates criminals Exclusively. A Forensic psychologist Work With All Types Of Courts Cases Including Civil Matters Not Involving Criminals.• Although The Criminal And Forensic Psychology Offer Two Techniques and

Exciting Career Options Many People Confuse Two Terms. The Difference Between The Criminal And Forensic Psychology Is That While Work Closely With The Logical System, A Criminal Psychologist Use To Evaluate The Criminals. Whereas A Forensic Psychologist May Evaluate Criminal To All.• Many Of The Techniques are used Both The Criminal And Forensic

Psychologists.

Degree and Scope

• 2017 best institutes for the degree of forensic psychology: • (i)Florida Institute of Technology. • (ii) The Chicago School of professional Psychology at los Angeles • (iii) Roger Williams University• Skills gained within a degree of forensic psychology are:(a) Ability to identify legal questions which rely on psychological

knowledge (b) Underlying processes of human memory and cognition (c) Application of psychological theories to the law

Degree and Scope CONT…

• Although not as common of a major as psychology, a forensic psychology degree will cover both the legal and psychology concepts. • the following acts fall within the scope of practice of Forensic

Psychologists:(i) conducting psychological assessments, diagnoses, and interventions; referring patients to appropriate professionals for further assessment or intervention;(ii) advising on the development of policies, based on forensic psychological theory and research.

Pakistan prevalence/universities offering Forensic Psychology

• Under-progress in Pakistan• Punjab university offering a diploma in Forensic

Psychology • Virtual university is offering course in Forensic psychology

(Dr. Asir Ajmal)• Institute of health and management sciences Islamabad

is offering 1yrPGD in Forensic psychology• University of Peshawar plans to begin Forensic Psychology

courses in Pakistan by HOD Muhammad Jehanzeb

How Can We Promote Forensic Psychology

• Universities and colleges should start offering forensic psychology as a separate program for certifications and degree courses in their respective department • We can promote forensic psychology by sharing researches of forensic

psychologist and by telling the importance of forensic psychology as an independent field.

SUMMARY • It is the branch of psychology interact with individual and

the law.• In 2001 APA officially recognized forensic Psychology and

re-certification in 2008.•After WW2 significant growth could be seen in the field

of Forensic Psychology during the past 3 decades.

SUMMARY cont• Clinical forensic psychology • Developmental forensic psychology• Social forensic psychology • Criminal investigated • Criminal profiling • Rehabilitation centers• Crime trends

USES and difference• Jury selection• In The Court•Consulting with lawyers• Police department A Forensic psychologist Work With All Types Of

Courts Cases Including Civil Matters Not Involving.A Criminal Psychologist Use To Evaluate The Criminals.

• Under progress in Pakistan • Virtual university is offering course in Forensic psychology• Institute of health and management sciences Islamabad is offering

1yrPGD in Forensic psychology

THANK YOU