Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Lindsay Granger
ENGL 1010
15 Nov 2017
Forensic Psychology
In a world where no two minds are alike, we have yet to discover a set thinking process
for people of similar scenarios regarding civil and criminal cases. Being involved in a criminal
investigation requires months and years of intense training and work to be done for things to be
done correctly especially when coming in direct contact with the criminal and the crime itself.
Forensic Psychologists fill in holes by “narrowing down the suspect list or at least provide a
motive for a crime.” (CIP). Although it has similarities to other careers within psychology
boundaries, this career requires extended periods of dedication and work to meet the standard as
Forensic Psychology deals with a couple of different subjects and combines them. Two of
the most prominent subjects are Psychology and Criminal Justice. “A common course of action
criminology or pre-law.” (LHTB). A couple of the courses required under the psychology major
include various classes under the categories of: Behavioral and Systems Neuroscience, Clinical
serial killers and terrorist agents are also recommended. Classes under these categories consist of
reading and writing reports on these subjects as well as other works that the instructor might
have for the student. “The minor in Criminal Justice requires 18 credits of course work in
criminal justice, including Crm J 101, 201, 205, and 330.” (WSU). Once these prerequisites are
completed, enrollment into an accredited doctoral program is necessary where 100 minimum
hours of education and 1000 hours of postdoctoral forensic psychology experience is required.
The intersection between psychology and criminal justice creates a shared education
between Forensic Psychology and other careers. Forensic Psychology consists of Sociology,
Criminology, and Psychology; therefore, certain courses and knowledge is shared between each
genre and facilitates switching majors if wanted and continue to be on the right track of
becoming a forensic psychologist. Obtaining a major in any of these subjects requires English
classes in which a student must be able to write well and clearly. A student majoring in any one
of these genres also must be able to have efficient communication skills as well as these are very
people oriented genres. However, despite the similarities, the careers are still significantly
different when it comes down to what they must focus and deal with. This profession requires a
fair amount of communication whether it is with other peers involving a crime scene, judges,
lawyers, or even criminals themselves. Communication is also a key part of other psychology,
sociology, or other genres. One must be able to verbalize and communicate clearly amongst one
another to get to the main point of a task. Being proficient in speaking and writing is an
A forensic psychologist must have certain skills and strategies to assess tasks placed
ahead of them. Forensic Psychologists are typically the ones that evaluate the sanity,
competency, as well as other factors that can affect the trial of a criminal. In many cases, a
forensic psychologist must present an unbiased testimony to the court. In preparation of this
testimony, a forensic psychologist must pick up certain information and data from the
evaluations made on the subject. They must be able to phrase questions in a way that will present
a certain reaction with the subject. Forensic psychologists must also use surrounding
environment at the time of the crime to understand the subject’s motive and use this knowledge
to establish whether the subject would recommit the crime. Using proper communication skills
and knowledge of the human thought processes these skills aid in the establishment and content
of the testimony. These skills help connect parts together and hopefully can either conclude, or
Although this career may not be the easiest or shortest time to achieve, it can lead to a life
filled with different interesting factors. The knowledge obtained can also create better interaction
between people by using better communication skills. Education received from the multiple
courses also leads to a higher knowledge of understanding the differences in the mind and
thinking. It also leads to a higher understanding of people and criminals due to the fusion of
forensic-psychologist/.
Franklin, Karen. “Forensic Psychology: Is It the Career for Me?” Psychology Today, Sussex
psychology-is-it-the-career-me.
Schools, www.criminaljusticedegreeschools.com/criminal-justice-careers/forensic-psychologist/.
2017, www.psychology.org/careers/forensic-psychologist/#what-does.
“Degrees & Careers in Forensic Psychology | How to Become a Forensic Psychologist.” How to
Become, www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/forensic-psychologist/.
major-minor/176-major-requirements14?showall=&start=3.