Criminal profiling is an investigative strategy that attempts to identify the perpetrator of a violent crime based on clues about their personality and behavior. These are often reflected in the nature and scene of the crime, the type of victims targeted, and the number of crimes committed. Creating criminal profiles relies on analysis and predictions of a criminal’s upbringing, patterns of crime, and intentions. Criminal profilers also may be involved directly in the interrogation of suspects and may be called to the courtroom to testify about and explain to the court the criminal’s unique inner workings.
In contrast, forensic psychology works to integrate psychology directly into the justice system. Forensic psychologists help assess a criminal’s or victim’s mental state and the validity of witness reports. They often create intervention programs and may be called upon in areas of civil or family casework, such as the arrangement of child custody. Simply put, criminal psychology examines the criminal mind before the perpetrator commits the crime, working with law enforcement more directly, while forensic psychology works to improve the aftermath of the crime, giving advice and exploring rehabilitation strategies through the justice system. While we will focus more on criminal profiling and with it, criminal psychology in the next chapter, let’s zoom in on the practice of forensic psychology.
What do forensic assessments by forensic psychologists entail? They require first an examination of records, including “medical, psychiatric, child welfare, prior forensic evaluations, employment, police reports, and other legal records” (Vienna Psychological Group). Next, clinical and collateral interviews are conducted – the clinical process gathers data to determine whether a diagnosis should be made, while collateral interviews get “third-party” information. This usually entails discussions with family, friends, co-workers, and therapists to understand their history and environment. Psychological testing utilizes checklists and questionnaires to “measure a person’s behavior, cognitive abilities, academic skills, and emotional functioning” – often standard tools (Vienna Psychological Group). All measurements must be reliable and validated, and conclusions are then reported to a judge or trier of fact.
Forensic psychologists specialize in 3 main areas of knowledge; forensics, in regard to the investigative “tools and techniques used to assess symptoms” and response style; clinical when pertaining to diagnosis, treatment, and intervention; and legal, with knowledge on the law and how to obtain, present, and walk through legal information (NYU).
To become a forensic psychologist, the dominant model of education recognized by the American Psychological Association is a bachelor’s or graduate degree in clinical psychology first – not forensic psychology, as it is usually a specialization. Clinical and forensic psychologists thus share a deep understanding of mental health challenges and the workings of the human brain. Due to the required foundation of clinical psychology, forensic psychologists must also master clinical skills, such as “clinical assessment, interviewing, report writing, strong verbal communication skills…and case presentation” (APA). They study and understand cognitive, social, developmental, and abnormal psychology. However, the practice of clinical psychology differs strongly from the practice of forensic psychology as clinical psychologists provide more tailored sessions with patients to discuss strategies to improve their mental state and is far more therapeutic. Forensic psychologists take a more legal approach – they work toward more short-term recovery and readjustment rather than long-term treatment by seeking to first elucidate findings that might prove useful in court. Forensic psychologists often work for the government, and through their involvement with criminals and victims post-crime and pre-trial may work to develop and give advice on crime prevention strategies. Psychological treatment received privately by clinical psychologists is often not revealed outside the doctor’s office, and the doctor’s word often directly translates to patient treatment. However, forensic psychologists must often present their analysis to a judge and jury for a final verdict on rehabilitation, treatment, etc. Most importantly, clinical psychology involves a patient present at their own will, but forensic psychologists work with people who were likely ordered by a court or law enforcement to be present.
Forensic psychologists are generally victim advocates who help them readjust to society and navigate the legal system. They are sometimes asked to make diagnoses and administer treatments not only to criminals, but to those victimized, and in those cases, advanced degrees and licenses are required. They help recommend and organize social welfare services, and most commonly in civil cases, they determine parental fitness for child custody. In such instances, they also prepare children to give testimony in court.
Forensic psychologists also work directly with criminals – as parole officers and social service workers dealing with the inmates. They provide psychological services to offenders, evaluate their risk of reoffending, and thus provide sentencing recommendations to the court. They can oversee the treatment of criminals by arranging correctional programs and anger management courses. They also provide critical insight to crime research, by interviewing criminals to understand their behavior and evaluate their history – especially to determine “mens rea,” or what the mental state of the criminal was at the time they committed a crime. Forensic psychologists evaluate the validity of the defenses for a criminal, which often means evaluating the mental health diagnoses of the criminal. They play a crucial role in voir dire, the process of “determining whether jurors are objective” (Maryville).
From guiding victims through the aftermath of criminal acts, navigating the legal system, rehabilitation strategies, and victim support, forensic psychologists traverse the intricate paths where psychology merges with law, bringing clarity to the shadows of criminal intent and contributing to the pursuit of justice in an evolving world.
Sources:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/criminal-psychology-vs-forensic-psychology
https://www.open.edu.au/advice/insights/criminal-psychology-vs-forensic-psychology
https://www.forensicpsychologyedu.org/
https://www.columbiasc.edu/program/forensic-psychology
https://as.nyu.edu/departments/psychology/graduate/ma-psychology/forensic-psychology.html
https://online.maryville.edu/blog/forensic-psychology-vs-clinical-psychology/
https://www.verywellmind.com/an-overview-of-forensic-psychology-2794901
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/forensic-psychology
Introduction to Forensic Psychology
https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/psn/2013/09/forensic-psychology
The Forensics Lens 
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