Investigating Career Area of Professional Psychology

Summary

This report aims to inform the reader about a specific type of psychology commonly called forensic psychology; other names for this field include legal psychology and criminal psychology. This report includes what is expected of forensic psychologists in the workplace what is needed academically to become one.

What do Forensic Psychologists do?

Forensic psychologists examine methods, theories and processes within the criminal, legal and civil justice systems, and also look at and apply psychological theory to a crime or criminal investigation. As well as looking at criminal behaviour they look at the psychological problems associated with that and fair treatment of criminals including rehabilitation. Specifically these psychologists look at the assessment and treatment of offenders. There are many other key tasks in which a forensic psychologist would be likely to be involved with such as helping offenders to make their behaviour socially acceptable, and implementing treatment programmes to do so; prisoner profiling; giving evidence in court or even helping with hostage negotiation. A particular area of forensic psychology that has been developing recently has been focussed around risk assessment with offenders in both their general and individual instances, and making decisions as to whether or not they are suitable for re-integration; of which particular focus has been on sex offenders.

Becoming a Forensic Psychologist

In order to work as a forensic psychologist one must eligible for registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) and have completed an MSc in Forensic Psychology. One must have also completed two years practical experience supervised by a Chartered Forensic Psychologist, whilst completing a course which underlies this (Stage 2 of the Society's Diploma in Forensic Psychology).

Work as a Forensic Psychologist

There are many career paths in which a forensic psychologist can take, the most popular being working for the HM Prison Service, which is the largest employer of forensic psychologists in the UK. Forensic psychologists can also be employed in university departments or in centres with private consultancy, as well as health services and social services including rehabilitation