Forensic Psychologist

By: Momina

What is a Forensic Psychologist?

Forensic Psychology is the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system

Forensic psychologist is someone who studies the actions and motives of criminals, and applies this research to other criminals

The Things They Do

• Works in the courts to uncover psychological issues

• Looks at psychological aspects of criminal activity

• Looks at psychological issues to do with treating criminals

• Piloting and implementing treatment programmes

• Modifying offender behavior • Providing hard research evidence to

support practice • Giving expert evidence in court Crime

analysis• They can advise parole boards

(panel of people who decide whether an offender should be released from prison )

The Things They Do

Skills Required

• Communication-must be able to communicate• You must be able to listen and speak

comfortably with people• You need to be able to write well in order to

produce reports.

• Observational skills-body language• Problem solving skills • The ability to testify in court

Skills Required

Who do they work with?

• Work with offenders and prison staff to reduce and manage stress.

• May look at coping with bullying (like in prisons)

• Might work with victims and witnesses to support them and help to overcome problems

• Might work with judges and juries in the courts.

Who do they work with?

Who can they work for?

• They can work for academic institutions• Prison services• The National Health Service

• Probation services• Police services • Social services.• In universities research and teaching

Who can they work for?

Some examples of what they might do?

1- Presenting assessment findings to others in multi-agency working

3-Doing crime analysis. This is to be carried out to assist the police

4-Training prison staff5-Evaluating and monitoring treatments

What it requires?

• You need to have a degree in psychology that the BPS recognize. This is then called GBR (graduate basis for registration)

• Its preferred to have work experience before applying for a Masters degree (which is on step ahead of a degree) this is stage 1

• Stage two involves 2 years of supervised practice.

Pay and Prospects

• Forensic psychology in the UK is currently booming with a significant growth in the job market.

• Pay rates start around £15,500 if you are newly qualified, up to £60,000+ for senior psychologists.

What is “chartered”?

• This means that you have satisfied requirements of the BPS and have enough qualifications and experience to be called a psychologist.

• It also means that you can then be credible.

What the Forensic, Educational, and Clinical Psychologist have in common?

• They all carry out assessments, intercentions and evaluations

• All use treatment to help manage behavior• Mainly work for government department

• Need to have a degree in psychology• Tend to be chartered• All require similar kinds of skills.• Carry out research and extend psychological

understanding field.

What the Forensic, Educational, and Clinical Psychologist have in common?

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