Forensic Psychology



Posted: Saturday, February 18, 2006

by Peter Emerson

Not to be confused with the discipline of forensic science (the study of crime scenes, evidence, etc.) with which it does share a common platform, forensic psychology is one of the main bulwarks of criminal justice today. Basically, it finds application in the establishment of competency (selection of juries, witnesses, etc.) and the formulation of workable policies in justice administration.

Probably its most exciting and glamorous application is in the prediction of criminal patterns (for example, where will the serial killer strike next/who will his next victim be?). But forensic psychology is an integral weapon in other areas of justice, too. In the hearing of a criminal case, for instance, the effective cross-examination of a subpoenaed witness and the establishment of his/her credibility often calls for deep knowledge of forensic psychology.

The genesis of forensic psychology as a serious discipline probably dates back to the earliest part of the twentieth century, when the pioneering psychologist William Stern made concerted attempts to investigate individual personality in general and aberrations in particular. He did a lot of research on the human mind’s abilities of selective and compensative memory.

The results of his studies led to a deeper knowledge of why, for example, a certain collection of eyewitnesses to a crime will have vastly different recollections of the incident. After Stern, Hugo Munsterberg gave the science of forensic psychology definite shape and form in his book On the Witness Stand, which was first published in 1908.

Finally, forensic psychology is invaluable in maintaining justice in the criminal justice system by weeding out fraudulent informants and information, extracting factual information from inaccurately recollected testimonies, and establishing suitable aptitude and intelligence parameters among law enforcement personnel.

A forensic psychologist may also exercise his knowledge in formulating new policies for the rehabilitation of criminals.

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