ABSTRACT
Forensic psychology is a specialized area of psychology associated with the law. These professionals work in many aspects of the law, from working within the court as an expert witness or determining whether an offender is mentally capable of standing trial or not. Many years of study, research and earned degrees are needed in order to train and become a professional in this field. One of the most interesting aspects of the field is the opportunity to become a criminal profiler. While the career is different from the way it is presented in poplar media, profilers have played instrumental roles in identifying, capturing and convicting many serious and dangerous offenders like serial killers. Forensic psychology, particularly, the discipline of profiling is fascinating practice. It is definitely a worthwhile field of study.
INTRODUCTION
Human beings, communally and individually, are complex and often unique. Understanding how human beings think, feel and behave is equally as complex. Many scientific disciplines work to understand humanity from the perspective of humanity as a biological creatures, like anthropology and biology. However, the discipline of science dedicated to that understanding is, of course, psychology. There are many different career directions that a psychologist may choose from. One discipline that has developed over the decades and has been popularized in television and film is forensic psychology. Forensic psychology is dedicated to the practice and study of psychology and the law. Most forensic psychologists are asked to participate within the prison system, within the courtroom, as an expert witness, are just a few of those options. However, it is the work of forensic psychology in the realm of profiling of serious, dangerous and unstable criminals who commit continuous and heinous crimes, like serial killers, that are the most interesting aspects of the potential occupation (Ward, 2013). Ultimately, after reviewing the available information, forensic psychology is a fascinating field and if it helps to eliminate some of the most threatening offenders from society; it is the most worthwhile of all of the forensic psychological disciplines.
DISCUSSION
Topics in Forensic Psychology
There are many areas of study for forensic psychologists. A forensic psychologist must look at the relationship between the psychology and the institution of the law, including psychology in the law, psychology by the law and psychology of the law (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2008). One of the areas that are often studied within and in regards to forensic psychology is the validity of using forensic psychologists to determine whether or not certain offenders are competent to stand trial for their crimes, which parent should gain custody of a children and gauging the threat level of sex offenders. In the 1990s was the first study dedicated to these cases and how professionals approach such cases. It determined that 52% of their time was spent in court rooms or related assessments, which equated to, nearly, 15 years of their career (Archer, Buffington-Vollum, Stredny and Handel, 2006). With so much time dedicated to legal cases there are a few relevant theories that many such forensic psychologists rely upon to make their diagnoses and analysis.
Developmental Propensity Theory: This theory argues that development incidents can play a large role in the fact that some offenders, particularly juveniles, are more likely to commit crime (Farrington & Ttofi, 2011).
Interactional Theory: This theory focuses upon the development of an antisocial behavioral pattern, which will lead these individuals astray. It also argues that poor parental supervision can encourage antisocial behaviors and antisocial behaviors can encourage poor parental supervision (Farrington & Ttofi, 2011).
Social Control Theory: This theory proposes that most people are inhibited and discouraged from committing crimes because they feel a bond with the normality of society (Farrington & Ttofi, 2011).
Social Learning Theory: This theory argues that people learn from what they observe, so if all one sees is the commission of crimes the likelihood to commit crime increases (Farrington & Ttofi, 2011).
These different, aforementioned, theories establish the framework that forensic psychologist use to determine their perceptions and professional opinions involving individuals, groups or organizations. However, the kind of detailed work that must be done requires a dedication to the work and the years of study that one must commit to in order to become a forensic psychologist (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2008). Theories may aid in the foundation, but each and every case that forensic psychologists handle must be reviewed individually, because not all offenders are alike.
Training in Forensic Psychology
In order to become a forensic psychologist one must receive a college education. Forensic psychologists are licensed psychologist who wishes to focus on the specialty that works within the criminal and civil aspects of the criminal justice system. It will be necessary for a potential forensic psychologist to attend university with a major in psychology and will require a PhD or PsyD. It is also beneficial for them to have experience in scientific theories and empirical research, critical thinking skills, excellent writing and communication skills. There is also a need for them to have competent knowledge of the law, from mental health law to civil law and from mediation to courtroom proceedings (Franklin, 2010). In some cases psychology students who are considering specializing in forensic psychology or degreed individuals who want to further their experience will find and accept internship opportunities. However, one should research the area where they live or attend school to find possible internships that may be available. As the popularity of forensic psychology has grown over the years the number of interested students has also grown. Most universities certainly have a psychology department and many have a specialty in the forensic sciences, as well (Clay, 2016).
Occupations in Forensic Psychology
As mentioned there are many employment options for forensic psychologist in the private and public sectors. Some forensic psychologists are asked to work at educational institutions and others may option to forego practice and teach the subject instead. Again forensic psychologist may be called to give their expert testimony, to interview and diagnose suspects or to aid attorneys in choosing their juries for specific cases. Again, with the many different employment outlets for forensic psychologist within the professional realm the income potential varies as well (Franklin, 2010). Among academic positions, institutional and research forensic psychologists make an income average to that of any psychologist. However, forensic psychologists in private practices make considerable above average. In general given that these forensic psychologists may be called upon to work, sometimes, 12 hours a day, they may make anywhere from $200,000 to $400,000 every year. Experts warn that it can take years to establish a practice, build relationships with people within the criminal justice system and when paid by the state for their services may wait years before they receive the bulk of their pay (Clay, 2016). However, if one has the dedication to the field, the time and energy to put in the hard work and effort required and, is willing to put in long hours and long years of struggle to achieve higher paying success, then it is a field to be recommended.
One of the most popular positions, again, is the forensic psychologists who act as profilers for law enforcement and government agencies, like the FBI. In fairness, forensic psychologists are not necessarily like the image that media and society has given them. “Silence of Lambs,” in the 1990s, brought the criminal profiler to the forefront of people’s minds in the form of Clarice Starling who probed the mind of the most disturbing of fictitious serial killers Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lector. This image of profilers who are like psychic sleuths, like on series like “Criminal Minds,” that can test evidence, review case information, interview persons of interest, deliver the profile and solve the case in a day or two (Ward, 2013). The reality is quite different. However, what is not different is the benefit that criminal profilers have had in understanding, indentifying and convicting some of the most dangerous and mentally unstable individuals. Without forensic psychology people like Jeffery Dahmer would still be luring, abusing and eating his victims. One specific contribution has come with forensic psychology is the specific instances of sociopaths and psychopaths; these are generally individuals who have no conscious, emotion, empathy or sympathy for anyone; such killers will kill without reserve and will never feel remorse for what they have done, like Ted Bundy who admitted he felt sorry for people who were able to feel remorse (Brogaard, 2012).
Personal Interest in Forensic Psychology
It becomes very clear, very quickly that becoming a forensic psychologist is not an easy goal and requires a great deal of time, energy, dedication and commitment. It is the kind of commitment that is not one that is made lightly. At the same time, if you successfully earn the education, put in the long hours of struggle throughout the early, lean years of developing your reputation and practice, then one may have what it takes to become a forensic psychologist. If one wishes to enter into law enforcement or agencies, like the FBI, to share your skills as a profiler, then it will require accessory education that will require one attend training to become an active agent within that organization (Van Aken, 2015). It is this field of forensic psychology that is the most exciting, interesting and can make the greatest difference. In fairness the validity of psychology within the pursuit and diagnosing of potential offenders remains controversial in some circles. There are a number of pros and cons associated with forensic psychology (Torres, Boccaccini and Miller, 2006).
Pros of Forensic Profiling
Profiling aids in understanding the minds of criminals who have sadistic and psychopathic natures, which can be quite different from typical offenders. It has established patterns that are beneficial for the future (Clay, 2016).
Understanding the nature of serious or serial offenders can help to develop greater victim preparedness and protection (Clay, 2016).
Can be credited with contributing to law enforcement being able to solve cases more quickly (Clay, 2016).
Allows for pursuit of offenders without the need for physical descriptions (Clay, 2016).
Cons of Forensic Profiling
However educated much of what profilers use as tools in understanding a given offender is based upon assumptions made regarding the offenders characteristics of previous cases (Clay, 2016).
Forensic profiling often uses ethically questionable facts, for example racial profiling is considered faulty because it stereotypes ethnic groups and it also raises some red flags when it comes to its logic; not every criminal offends for the same reason. For example not everyone who steals food is starving and not everyone who robs a bank is broke (Clay, 2016).
There will always be some offenders who will not fit in and will not conform to the parameters of the profiles given. In these cases, forensic psychology might be detrimental not beneficial. Trying to apply the mold to atypical offenders could lead law enforcement in the wrong direction (Ebisike, 2012).
Regardless, of the pros and cons associated with forensic psychology in and out of the profiling arena, the aid that forensic psychology has given to investigations involving really dangerous offenders who will never stop offending until they are caught cannot be ignored or denied. There is a place for forensic psychology especially when there is serial killer out there who mentality is so divergent from normal that normal investigations and procedures will not be beneficial in identifying and capturing such individuals (Brogaard, 2012). One of the major aspects of serial offenders is that, very often, are quite intelligent; many psychopaths possess very high IQs. What they lack is a sense of right and wrong, which makes these types of offenders even more dangerous, requiring a different kind of investigation, something that a trained criminal profiler could provide (Fulero & Wrightsman, 2008). The field of forensic psychology is a fascinating one and the idea of being able to participate in making the world a safer place from some of the most heinous of offenders, like sex offenders, pedophiles and murderers is gratifying. It is definitely an area that would be worthwhile to study.
CONCLUSION
There are many different possible occupations and directions to specialize in the field of forensic psychology, many of which offer generous salaries. However, there are also years of dedicated research, study and training before one can be referred to as a competent and accurate forensic psychologist. It is not a small comittment. For forensic psychologists working as criminal profilers it is long, often hard and deals with subject matter that would be unthinkable to the average person. However, that exposure and dedication could prove to save many innocent lives and put a dangerous killers behind bars or into mental health facilities where they can no longer threaten or cause harm to the people. Granted, again, profiling and psychological diagnoses are not perfect and there have been instances where profiling has been inaccurate, however, when it comes to the most mentally unstable of offenders they have been instrumental in bringing them to justice. It is worthwhile to pursue the potentially of working in the field of forensic psychology, particularly those dedicated to taking the most dangerous of people off the streets.
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