Forensic Psychology Career Paper

Introduction Forensic psychology connects psychology and the justice system, and has become an important and critical discipline in the court system. The career in forensic psychology involves the application of the study of psychology and law to criminal behavior. The forensic psychologists focus on why some people deviate from societal norms to become criminals and outlaws. Forensic psychologists bridge the gaps in the study of psychology and the law with arduous practical application. In their preparation for their career, a forensic psychologist most often will be educated in criminal profiles, evidence and/or the lack thereof, in crime scenes in efforts to eliminate the innocent and effectively identify the culprit(s) as …show more content…
Additionally, one may need to complete a bachelor’s degree in criminology, criminal justice with emphasis on psychology, or other combinations thereof with concentration on forensics or forensic psychology. Though one can major or minor in forensic psychology at the undergraduate and graduate levels, the dominant model recommended by the American Psychological Association for becoming a forensic psychologist involves earning a doctoral degree in clinical psychology, followed by a post-doctoral experience for anyone interested in arduous clinical practice (FPE, …show more content…
Within the legal system, forensic psychologists appraise the mental health of offenders and defendants with respect to criminal and plausible illegal prosecutions and trials (FPE, 2015). They assess and determine the individual’s psychiatric capacity to ensure that the offender or defendant is fit to stand trials, in some problematic cases. Furthermore, a practitioner with emphases on child and family matters helps to resolve child custody disagreements and quarrels in family judicial processes, as they are proficient in determining criminal behavior and psychopathology (and psychological disorders) assessments (FPE,