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Chapter 1: Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology is devoted to psychological aspects of legal processes in courts; the term is also often used to refer to investigative and criminological psychology. The word "forensic" means legal; anything that is pertinent to law comes into the area of forensic psychology.

The range of application is not merely limited to criminals; it involves all matters relevant to legal and civil systems like courts, police, lawyers, crime investigations, criminal behaviours, police recruitments, trainings and adjustment.

According to Wrightsman, "Forensic Psychology is reflected by any application of psychological knowledge or methods to a task faced by the legal system."

Bartel & Bartel view forensic psychology as both the research endeavor that examines aspects of human behavior directly related to the legal process e.g., eyewitness memory and testimony, jury decision making or criminal behavior, and the professional practice of psychology within or in consultation with a legal system that encompasses both criminal and civil law and the numerous areas where they interact.

Breadth of forensic psychology includes child custody decisions, child abuse of an emotional, physical and sexual nature, matters of competency to stand trial, victim support responsibilities, jury selection, alleviating police burnout, competency evaluations, expert witness, advising legislators on public policy, and treatment of chronic offenders.

A forensic psychologist is likely to be indulged in applying psychological theory to criminal investigation, understanding psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour, treatment of criminals including piloting and implementing treatment programmes, modifying offender behaviours, responding to the changing needs of staff and prisoners, reducing stress for staff and prisoners, providing hard research evidence to support practice, undertaking statistical analysis for prisoner profiling, giving evidence in court, advising parole boards and mental health tribunals, and crime analysis.

Historical Background

Historically the legal system has embraced medical expertise, so legal issues relating to madness and insanity continued to be examined within a medical framework; hence terms such as 'disease' of the mind and mental 'illness'. The field predates the Sociological jurisprudence movement of 1930–1950 and goes back at least to 1908 when Hugo Munsterberg, founder of applied psychology, published On the Witness Stand.

Albert von Schrenck-Notzing offered testimony about pretrial publicity in 1896; German police used psychologists in investigations in the 1920s.

Hugo Münsterberg, a student of Wundt and professor at Harvard, is credited with founding forensic psychology; his book On the Witness Stand (1908) argued for psychologist involvement in legal matters.

J. McKeen Cattell conducted the first psychological experiment on testimony; William Healy created the Juvenile Psychopathic Institute in 1909 and authored Pathological Lying, Accusation, and Swindling.

The insanity defense history goes back to the 1843 Daniel M’Naghten case; the M’Naghten test was used for insanity assessment.

In 2001 the APA approved creation of the forensic psychology division.

Because the history of forensic psychology as a unique discipline is short, it struggled to promote a clear identity and was often viewed as a poor relation of medical opinion; courts typically invited medical doctors to comment on insanity. With time courts began to feel the need for psychologists to assess mental states and behaviors of criminals. Judges are not capable of understanding psychological disorders like mental retardation; only trained psychologists can assess such conditions. Only well-trained psychologists are authorized to operate in forensic psychology; psychiatrists do not meet these requirements.

Development in Pakistan and Future Prospects

In Pakistan the development of forensic psychology has a long route ahead because the field is very new even in USA and Europe.

Forensic psychology has experienced steady growth; research work, consultation, and clinical practice in psychology and law will continue to grow; demand will rise for work with courts, attorneys, and lawmakers; jobs will grow in universities.

Constantly changing laws benefit forensic psychologists; dealing with juvenile offenders requires expert advice; doctorate degrees offer more career opportunities; it is almost impossible to specialize with only a bachelor's degree.

The preferred route to become a forensic psychologist is the clinical route: become a clinical psychologist first and then specialize in forensic psychology. Individuals must study psychology and criminal justice; few institutions offer forensic psychology degrees; two institutes in Pakistan offer diplomas.

Clinical, social, cognitive, criminal investigative, and developmental psychology help prepare for this specialty.

A forensic psychologist may focus on research such as eyewitness testimony or improving interrogation methods; public policy work includes designing correctional facilities and prisons; forensic psychology covers territory between criminal justice options like academic training, law enforcement, and corrections.

Key Timeline and Important Figures

Summary of Important Points

Aspect	Description
Definition	Application of psychological knowledge to legal processes
Scope	Courts, police, investigations, criminal behavior, etc.
Key Figures	Hugo Münsterberg, William Healy, Daniel M’Naghten
Historical Milestones	1908: First book; 2001: APA division
Career Path	Clinical psychology + specialization
Future Growth	Steady growth in research, consultation, practice

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