History Of Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology is one of the newest and largest expanding specialties in psychology and the criminal justice system. Psychology, known as the science of mental processes and behaviors paired with forensic, in its smallest form means different scientific techniques or tests, concludes the profession of forensic psychology. But, in order for professionals in this specialty to evaluate and accurately process based upon evidence, evaluations, and assessments, they must have both the foundation of knowledge in psychology and criminal justice or law. Bartol and Bartol (2012) state a huge benchmark in the field of forensic psychology: “In 1921, the State vs. Driver case was the first time an American Psychologist testified in a courtroom as an …show more content…
A psychologist testified at a civil trial, the first textbook with a forensic emphasis was published and written by a psychologist, first theory of criminal behavior was developed and tested, and the first police psychologist started helping law enforcement (Bartol and Bartol, 2012). The American Association for Correctional Psychology (AACP) recognized correctional psychology as a professional career in this time frame as well helping to achieve several more milestones in this specialty (Heilbrun and Brooks, 2010). Unfortunately, the APA did not recognize forensic psychology as a subspecialty until 2001. Forensic psychology is a consistently evolving field with new research, findings, techniques and added subspecialties. The subspecialties, which will be described more in depth below, include: Criminal, Juvenile, Civil, Investigative, Correctional, and Police. Each of these specialties are integrated differently in each role regarding their responsibilities, practices, etc. that are consistently involved throughout cases and have a very large influence on the profession as a …show more content…
Each different subspecialty within this profession has its own responsibilities, roles, and historic landmarks it was brought upon. Although, each requires the forensic psychologists evaluations, research, assessments, counseling, profiling, and foundation of knowledge in both psychology and criminal justice or law. From 1921 to the present, many landmark cases and findings and helped to strengthen this profession. With new research findings, techniques, and subspecialties we are able to evaluate the positives and negatives within this largely expanding professions and are able to contour it to our needs within the criminal justice