Forensic Psychology: Definition And Functions Of The Forensic Psychologist
As we have already explained in other posts, Psychology is the science that studies human behavior and mental processes in a broad sense These mental processes are the genesis of behavior: our thinking ends up taking shape in certain tangible and observable motivations, attitudes and behaviors.
Forensic Psychology: one of the areas in psychology
But what is Forensic Psychology? The term forensic comes from Latin forum. That is, the plaza, the public space where in Roman times public trials took place.
So that, Forensic psychology is the branch of psychology that studies and intervenes in judicial processes in order to provide data and knowledge that help solve the cases. Forensic psychology professionals are forensic psychologists, and their role is to collect, study and correctly interpret the different psychological data that can provide important elements for a trial.
The roles and skills of forensic psychologists
Forensic psychology professionals, in addition to being graduates in psychology, must have knowledge and tools specific to judicial, procedural and criminal law. This allows them to have the necessary background to be able to accurately understand judicial processes and correctly apply psychological techniques in this field.
Forensic psychologists work together with lawyers, experts, prosecutors and judges. In fact, Forensic psychologists act as experts when offering their professional testimony in certain trials providing data and knowledge of interest to collaborate with Justice and ensure that the circumstances of the case can be clarified, at least as far as certain psychological and/or psychopathological aspects of some or all of the parties involved are concerned.
A psychology professional, but also a legal expert
A forensic psychologist is not simply a psychologist who performs certain tasks in a state administration of justice. Actually, He is a great master of all the concepts, norms and dynamics of the legal system in which he finds himself
The forensic psychologist has a broad understanding of all legal and procedural mechanisms. In fact, if this were not the case, he could easily be excluded from certain processes in which he participated, having lost the credibility of the different actors involved in the trial. The judicial system is a formal system in which methods and procedures are of paramount importance. Hence, the forensic psychologist, in addition to being an expert in his field, must know and adapt perfectly to these regulations.
What functions does a forensic psychologist have before a court?
There are many elements and factors in which forensic psychology plays a key role in the context of a judicial process. In order to help the judge make correct decisions, the forensic psychologist makes a series of knowledge and tools available to the case.
One of the most common functions refers to the study carried out by forensic psychologists about mental faculties and psychological conditions of any of the parties involved in a trial (accused, complainants and even witnesses). This analysis helps to elucidate, in the case of the accused, whether they were in full use of their mental faculties at the time they allegedly committed a crime. For example, if there is a defendant charged with homicide, a forensic psychologist would have the ability to prepare a report indicating whether, at the time of the crime, the defendant was aware of his or her actions.
The training of a forensic psychologist
We have talked about what forensic psychology is and also about the tasks performed by judicial psychology professionals. However: What training should a forensic psychologist have to be able to practice?
This point is more complicated to explain, since each country has different legislation regarding the background academic that this type of professionals need. In general, we can say that, to dedicate themselves to forensic psychology, the professional must have a degree or university degree in Psychology, and then specialize in one of these branches: organizational psychology, social psychology or clinical psychology, This last area being especially relevant.
After, You must complete a postgraduate or Master’s degree in forensic psychology However, it is of special interest that the forensic psychologist has extensive knowledge of psychological evaluation, psychopathologies, and diagnostic and intervention techniques. Since the forensic psychologist has to help elucidate whether the accused person has mental disorders or not, part of his work is similar to that of a clinical psychologist, although in this case his interests and those of the person evaluated are not usually to match.
Role in criminal and corrective measures
In addition to the above, forensic psychology also has a certain influence when it comes to informing and suggesting the type of treatment that a person sentenced to imprisonment should follow. So, The judge can have more elements to decide how he will execute the sentence and what corrective measures will be imposed
Forensic Psychology collaborates and describes, but does not judge
A point should be made: forensic psychology can help a judge determine certain psychological factors of the parties involved in a judicial process; It can explain a person’s behavior to make it more understandable that they have been a victim or aggressor in certain circumstances. This information is offered to the court so that it may be able to make a balanced decision on the facts.
However, The forensic psychologist is not authorized to defend or act as a prosecutor for any of the parties involved in a court case. Its function is descriptive and informative, and therefore it must be completely neutral.
Courts of law usually ask very specific questions to the forensic psychologist, always related to the case being tried and around the different psychological variables that may have influenced the events. The terminology with which the different judicial actors express themselves is that of the legal field, and thus The forensic psychologist is also expected to stick to univocal language consistent with the context
In other words, the different actors involved in the judicial process (judge, lawyers, prosecutors and jury) need to know the direct effects of the psychological state of some of those involved to determine to what extent they are responsible for their actions. In this sense, it is worth clarifying that it would make no sense for the forensic psychologist to ramble about the psychological state of any of the parties being judged beyond the task entrusted to him, which is shed light on the psychological circumstances of the parties involved during the events who are being judged, and by extension the treatment that should be provided to any of the parties, if necessary.
Guilt, responsibility, excuses…
Forensic psychologists are often the subject of controversy. This is because, as professionals in the judicial field, we also They have the power to influence the decisions of the courts of law For example, forensic psychologists can point out the convenience of exonerating a defendant from guilt by arguing that, at the time of the events, the defendant was not aware of his or her actions. Therefore, they have the ability to release an individual, even if he or she may have been the material author of a crime.
Likewise, judicial psychologists can also advise that aggravating or mitigating circumstances be applied to certain crimes, indications that can impact the sentence imposed on the accused.
These functions always entail great controversies For example, in the case of a defendant who murdered a child, if he is declared not responsible for clinical (psychiatric) reasons, the family of the murdered minor may burst into anger against such a decision, even though it has strict clinical grounds.
However, and although it can generate all kinds of social debates, the truth is that forensic psychology contributes decisively to ensuring that justice can be administered in a balanced and fair manner, if I may be redundant.
