Forensic psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with applying psychological principles to legal issues. It involves areas like criminal profiling, determining competency to stand trial, assessing insanity defenses, and predicting future violence. Forensic psychologists conduct interviews and psychological assessments to answer legal questions regarding these issues. They may work with law enforcement, courts, or in correctional facilities. The document provides examples of roles for forensic psychologists like evaluating competency to stand trial, assessing criminal responsibility through the insanity defense, considering intoxication or amnesia defenses, and providing evidence for mitigating sentences.

1. Forensic
Psychology
-By Saniya Zedi
Assistant Professor
Bangalore University

2. Definition
Forensic Psychology is the branch of psychology concerned with the
production and application of psychological knowledge and principles within
the legal process.
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3. ● Professor of forensic
psychology ;
teach students psychologists and
professionals the techniques of
forensic psychology. Statistics,
analysis, neuropsychology,
developmental adolescent
psychology, psychology and law, etc
etc.
Scope
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● Psychologist in
different settings.
● Narco-analysis
● Polygraph
● BEOSP

4. Branches
● Police Psychology
● Investigative Psychology and
Offender Profiling
● Criminal Psychology & Criminal
Behavior
● Correctional Psychology
● Victimology and Victims Services
● Psychology and the Courts
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6. “
”
Forensic assessment is used when a psychologist is hired
to answer a specific legal question (i.e. competency,
insanity, etc.). Depending on the specific question, the
psychologist will conduct a clinical interview, collateral
interviews (e.g. with witnesses, family, friends, attorneys,
police officers, etc.) review records (i.e. medical,
psychological, criminal, school, etc.), administer
psychological tests, and form an opinion to answer the
legal question.
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9. Applications
Let’s start with knowing how it can be
helpful.
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10. Roles of a Forensic Psychologist:
Competency to stand
trial: Also known as
fitness to plead, which
refers to the
defendant’s mental
capacity to make a
proper defense i.e., to
understand the legal
proceedings and the
charges against him or
her.
Criminal responsibility: Also known as
insanity defense, which refers to the
time of the alleged offense and more
specifically asks the question whether
the defendant had the mental capacity
to distinguish between right and wrong
at the time of the alleged offense and
could control his/her conduct
accordingly.
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11. Roles of a Forensic Psychologist:
Intoxication by alcohol or
other drugs, because it is
self-induced and temporary,
is seldom given complete
guiltless/innocent effect.
The major exception is when
the substance abuse has
been prolonged to a point
where it has produced a
serious mental disorder.
Amnesia at the time of the offense is
one of the most common defenses
heard in the criminal court, especially
concerning violent crimes. It is also
one of the most difficult defenses to
assess. It is not only difficult to
determine the weight that should be
given to the claimed amnesia, but also
to distinguish between genuine and
stimulated amnesia.
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12. Roles of a Forensic Psychologist:
Dissociative identity disorder formerly
called multiple personality disorder, is
primarily characterized by the presence
of two or more distinct personalities
that in turn take control of the person’s
behaviour. However, the disorder is
highly controversial and sometimes
called the ‘UFO of mental health’.
Experts admit that it is very difficult to
distinguish between real cases and
malingering..
Prediction of violent behaviour: To
determine the tendency for future
violence/crime. However, the role of
the mental health professional in
violence prediction is controversial.
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13. Roles of a Forensic Psychologist:
Sentence Mitigation: Even in situations where the defendant's mental
disorder does not meet the criteria for a not guilty by reason of insanity
defense, the defendant's state of mind at the time, as well as relevant
past history of mental disorder and psychological abuse can be used to
attempt a mitigation of sentence. The forensic psychologist's
evaluation and report is an important element in presenting evidence
for sentence mitigation.
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