Role of Psychology in Police Investigation of vulnerable Witnesses and Suspects in Criminal

investigations.

Introductions

According to the American Psychological Association, Psychological science is defined as "the

study of the human mind and behavior." It is the study of the human mind, including how it

functions and influences behaviour. A psychologist uses psychotherapy to treat a patient to

relieve symptoms through behavioural modification.

Psychology can provide essential decision support tools to investigators to aid in the facilitation

of the investigation process and the making of more appropriate decisions. The use of

psychological theories is also helpful in determining the authenticity of the investigation

information that has been obtained.

Medical psychology (psychotherapy for mental and behavioural health), cognitive psychology

(the study of mental activities), behavioural psychology (acknowledging behaviour through

various types of conditioning), and biopsychology (research on the brain, behaviour, and

evolution) are the four primary areas of psychology. Forensic psychology is another area of

psychology that includes forensics and criminal justice.

Fundamentally, psychology is beneficial to individuals in a significant portion because it can

explain why some people behave in specific ways. When a psychologist has this kind of

professional insight, they may assist people in improving their decision-making, stress

management, and behavioural patterns by studying past behaviour to predict future conduct

better.
A better understanding of criminal psychology can aid in the prevention of future illegal activity.

In the end, knowing a criminal's psyche is the most effective method of reducing crime... Once

we grasp how criminals think, we will be better equipped to comprehend why they commit

crimes in the first place and prevent them from occurring in the future, as well. Criminal

psychology aims at studying the feelings, thoughts and behaviours of criminals. Psychology is

therefore of great help in criminal investigations. Criminal psychologists assist in investigating

criminals and vulnerable suspects.

Criminal psychology is linked to the study of criminal anthropology. The study goes thoroughly

into what leads individuals to commit an offence and the reaction following the event. Criminal

psychologists have several functions within the court systems; they include being called up as

witnesses in court hearings to help the jury understand the mentality of the criminal. Some

disciplines of psychiatry also deal with characteristics of criminal behaviour.

To understand offenders' motivations and develop a psychological profile to understand or

apprehend them, criminal psychologists look into their thoughts and feelings. They assess each

individual's criminal behaviour and decide whether they have a mental health condition. They

are frequently called upon to testify in court as subject matter experts in several fields.

Criminal conduct can be expressed as “Any sort of antisocial activity, which is punishable

generally by legislation but can be punished by standards, stated by community,." Therefore, it

is hard to define criminal activity as there is a small line between what could be deemed okay

and what's regarded not to be. Being recognized as a breach at one particular time may now be
tolerated by the community. This article will look at the many duties of a criminal psychologist,

significant elements of offenders, and significant research that led to criminal psychology.

The purpose of this paper is to examine how psychology, specifically Investigative Psychology,

can be used to aid with investigations. Contributions can be divided into three major categories:

investigative inferences, the investigation method, and the evaluation and enhancement of

investigative material (or data). Psychology can provide essential decision support tools to

investigators to aid in the facilitation of the investigation process and the making of more

appropriate decisions.

The application of psychological principles is also beneficial in determining the accuracy of the

investigative information that has been gathered. When based on empirical facts, psychology

can provide solutions to a variety of problems that arise at various phases of a law enforcement

inquiry.

The field of psychology includes qualified specialists capable of assessing both mental and

physical conditions. Profilers seek patterns in behaviour that can identify and link the

individual(s) responsible for a crime (Kalat). A collaborative effort aims to provide answers to

the most frequently asked psychological questions: To determine if a sexual predator will re-

offend if allowed to return to society, it is necessary to determine whether the offender is

competent to stand trial and whether the offender was sane or insane at the time of the

incident.
 Forensic psychology is often characterized as applying clinical specialties in the legal system. To

explain illegal acts and behaviour, forensic psychologists use psychological research, evidence,

and theory to help them solve the case. When assessing whether or not a suspect is guilty or

should be convicted, this approach helps determine whether or not they should be punished. It

also plays a significant role in prosecuting and preventing criminal activity. Because the term

"forensic" refers to the "scientific method of investigation of crime," forensic psychology is

frequently referred to as a "union" of the fields of law and psychology.

As you might guess, forensic psychologists have a robust working relationship with the criminal

court system. The duties they do include conducting screens or evaluations of prisoners,

investigating psychiatric illnesses among criminal and civil court defendants, and examining the

mental condition of criminals to determine whether or not they are competent to stand trial in

court (Sahni 21-30). To this purpose, forensic psychologists work closely with law enforcement

organizations. They are frequently called upon to testify in court on the defendant's behalf to

support a theory the police or prosecutors have regarding the criminal defendant's intent.

Individual treatment sessions with forensic psychologists, such as those provided when the

police have been called or issued court orders, allow them to build personal relationships with

their clients. These sessions are not just for research and study objectives, but they are also for

the benefit of the patient's therapeutic needs. The psychologists may be required to engage in

occasionally unpleasant activities (Prentice). The stress of jail life can lead to mental health

concerns in those who are incarcerated, and while under the supervision of a prison

psychologist, they may experience these issues. In rare instances, the Forensic Psychologist may
recommend that you participate in group sessions. One of the critical goals of a Forensic

Psychologist is to safeguard the rights of each client that comes into their office.

Whenever a crime is committed, people usually contact the police, who in turn respond to the

crime scene and collect evidence; after the evidence has been collected from the crime scene,

the police deliver it to forensic science laboratories, which then complete the scientific

assessment and send the reports to the court of law, which aids the court in determining who,

when, where, what, why, and how the crime was committed (Hamilton). Whenever a crime is

committed, people usually contact the police, who respond to the crime scene and collect

evidence. As a result, forensic psychology plays a critical part in evaluating whether or not a

defendant will be found guilty.

Forensic psychologists are trained professionals who use psychological principles in a criminal

investigation. In criminal cases, forensic psychology is utilized to determine whether or not the

person in question's mental condition fits the requirements of the law. If a psychologist

becomes professionally involved in criminal proceedings, they will take on one of the following

responsibilities:

Evaluations and assessments

Forensic psychologists conduct evaluations and assessments to determine a person's

psychological state for legal proceedings. Evaluations are carried out to gather information for

criminal court proceedings, sentencing criminals, parole hearings, and family courts and civil

courts (Godwin). Forensic psychologists are responsible for evaluating and reporting the

assessment results, and any decisions made based on these reports are the responsibility of the
other legal professionals involved. The evaluator's responsibility is to tell the individual who is

being assessed that everything said in session will be subject to review in a forensic report or

expert witness evidence. In addition to performing evaluations, forensic psychologists also

serve as expert witnesses when they are brought before a court to speak about the findings of

their investigations.

Treatment

Forensic psychological treatment covers the implementation of measures and the treatment of

psychological issues that aid in the prevention of crime and the reduction of difficulties. In both

criminal and civil trials, it is common practice for treatment professionals to be asked to deliver

psychological interventions to those who require them or who want them (Kocsis). Within the

context of criminal cases, forensic psychologists can work with individuals who have previously

committed a crime and been sentenced for it but are executing the same crimes over and over

again, as well as with those who are victims of drug or alcohol abuse, mental illness, or anger

issues. In civil cases, on the other hand, forensic psychologists are required to deal with people

going through a divorce or custody dispute. They can also provide therapy to individuals who

have experienced psychological damage due to a traumatic experience.

Consultations

By utilizing psychological knowledge and research, forensic psychologists assist in better

understanding the human behaviour of offenders, witnesses, victims, jurors, and other legal

experts, including attorneys and other legal professionals. Consultations can take on a variety of

shapes and forms, including:

Consultations with law enforcement

A few examples include helping with criminal profiling, establishing the psychological fit of cops,

or having knowledge of criminal behaviour. Even though offender profiling is not widely used in

police investigations, it is an appealing aspect of psychology to forensic psychologists. There are

many methods and techniques related to criminal profiling, but there is still skepticism about

the efficiency and accuracy as a general practice.

Consultants in the courtroom

Forensic psychologists collaborate with legal experts, such as attorneys, to assist them in

various tasks, including case preparation, jury selection, case strategy creation, and witness

preparation (Howitt). As a result, forensic psychologists rely significantly on research to provide

the best possible advice to the people they are working with. The fact that trial consultations

are frequently hired by one specific side in a trial leaves psychologists facing numerous issues;

therefore, it is the obligation of the psychologists to maintain neutrality while consulting and

not choose one side over another, thereby omitting or preparing data that would be

advantageous to one side or another during the trial.

Expert Witnesses' Testimony

Legal expert witnesses can testify with more excellent knowledge of a situation or topic since

they are specialists for specific issues and have technical information about them, as opposed

to fact witnesses, who can testify about what they know or have witnessed in the case at hand

(Wrightsman). Expert witnesses in forensic psychology are often called upon to testify in cases

involving mental health or other areas such as social, experimental, cognitive, or developmental
psychology, among others. Previously, expert witnesses were more concerned with serving the

court than with the litigants; however, this is no longer the case, and trial attorneys handle the

recruitment of expert witnesses. The judge has the authority to determine whether or not an

expert witness will be allowed to testify.

Academia and scientific investigation

Academic Foreign psychologists are involved in the teaching, training, and research of students

in the fields of foreign psychology, criminal psychology, courtroom psychology, investigation,

assessment, and treatment of offenders, as well as the training of students in the field of

criminal psychology (Pinizzotto 32-40). They also teach students how to conduct illegal

psychological research. However, the function of foreign academic psychologists is not confined

to teaching; instead, it is primarily concerned with researching the subject of interest to which

they are assigned. Every foreign educational psychologist has a particular study interest in

which they conduct research and gain specialized expertise by researching that topic.

Psychology in the police department

Psychology is beneficial in police departments in developing the psychological profiles of serial

offenders. Psychology has also been employed in teaching and training police officers in dealing

with mentally ill people, which is a significant part of my job. Police officers work for citizens,

and there is a high possibility of encountering mentally ill individuals. They will therefore apply

the knowledge of psychology while dealing with the criminal.

After a shooting occurrence, the psychologist provides police officers with guidance and

support. Some police officers tend to be disturbed after shooting a criminal. This may cause

psychological problems, which is why they require a therapist to offer support and guidance.

Crime and Delinquency: The Psychology of Crime and Delinquency

The development of psychopathy is the subject of current research. Stalking is prevented by

working with legislators and government agencies in their capacity as research policy advisors.

Consultation with school employees to detect young people who may pose a threat to society is

recommended. Create a psychological test to determine the risk of suicide among those

mentally ill. Victimology refers to the process of interviewing people who have been victims or

witnesses to the crime. Some victims or witnesses of crime are usually disturbed due to the

situation they observe and get involved in. some are victims of watching other people die. In

contrast, others observed disturbing news (Blackburn). These situations usually require a

psychologist to deal with. Providing training to victim support professionals on the

psychological effects of criminal victimization, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, is an

important step forward.

When victims require mental health services, the organization educates service professionals

on the impact of diversity.

Psychological aspects of legal practice

carries out evaluations in the areas of child custody and abuse. Psychological elements are

applied to determine the issue in child custody and child abuse cases. Psychologists in the court
determine whether or not the defendant is competent to stand trial. They give an account on

whether they can be tried or whether they need to be moved to a mental hospital for

treatment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, psychology is a very effective tool in criminal investigations. Psychologists and

also police psychology plays a significant role in establishing a criminal case. If it were not for

psychological injustice, most individuals would have been tried and jailed or even sentenced to

death, yet committing the crime is not their fault. Psychology has always enabled criminal

investigations to be conducted faster because, through forensic psychology, evidence of crimes

has been noted more quickly. Psychology has also been of help to victims and witnesses of

traumatic incidents because of providing support and guidance to them. The police have also

been supported by psychology after shooting or dealing with severe crimes.

 References

Kalat, James W. Introduction to psychology. Cengage Learning, 2016.

Sahni, Sanjeev P., and Nisha Shakey. "Criminal Psychology: Understanding Criminal

Behaviour." Criminal Psychology and the Criminal Justice System in India and Beyond.

Springer, Singapore, 2021. 21-30.

Prentice, Rhonda Maria Young Garry Raymond, and Christopher George McLaughlin. "Journal of

Criminal Psychology."

Hamilton, Tammi Walker Jenny Shaw Lea, and Clive Turpin Catherine Reid Kathryn Abel.

"Journal of Criminal Psychology."

Godwin, Grover Maurice, ed. Criminal psychology and forensic technology: A collaborative

approach to effective profiling. CRC Press, 2000.

Kocsis, Richard N., ed. Applied criminal psychology: a guide to forensic behavioural sciences.

Charles C Thomas Publisher, 2018.

Howitt, Dennis. Introduction to forensic and criminal psychology. Pearson Education, 2006.

Wrightsman, Lawrence S. Forensic psychology. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001.

Pinizzotto, Anthony J. "Forensic psychology: Criminal personality profiling." Journal of Police

Science and Administration 12.1 (1984): 32-40.

Blackburn, Ronald. "What is forensic psychology?." Legal and Criminological Psychology 1.1

(1996): 3-16.

Blackburn, Ronald. "What is forensic psychology?." Legal and Criminological Psychology 1.1

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