FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Submitted to: Ms. Sana Majeed and Classmates

Submitted by: Anum Junaid 403202
Hurmat Fatima 403262
Nimra Aslam 403363
 ‘’Forensic psychology can be defined as a specialization within the field of psychology that
represents the synthesis between psychology and law.’’

 The branch of applied psychology which is concern with the collections, examinations and
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presentations of evidence judicial purpose.(Haward 1981)
 INTRODUCTION
Deals with all the aspects of psychology that are relevant to the legal and criminal process which
includes:
 Explanations of criminal behavior and criminality.
 The role of mental disorder in crime.
 Helping investigate the crime and catching the culprits.
 Provision of guidance to all those involved in civil and criminal court proceedings.
David Canter examines how forensic psychology is used, particularly in prisons, to help in the
management, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, once they have been convicted.

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 HISTORY
 First introduced in 1879 in the lab of Wilhelm Woundt in Germany.
• James McKean Cattell conducted earlier researches on psychology of testimony.
• In 1869, albert von shrenck notzing testified a murder trial.
• In 1908, Munsterberg published a book called on the ‘witness stand’.
• In 1916, Stanford psychologist Lewis terman began applying psychology to law enforcement.
• In 1917, William Marston found that systolic blood pressure had a strong correlation to lying.
 After world war 2 psychologist served as expert witness
• In 1954 several psychologist served as testified for the plaintiffs and the defendants.
• Forensic psychology evolved during the past three decades
• In 2001, APA (American Psychological Association) officially recognized forensic psychology
as the specialization of psychology. 4
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 Differentiate between healthy and unhealthy behavior of psychology.

 To explain behavior based on observations.
 Description and measurement of contents relevant to legal questions.

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 SCOPE
Forensic psychologists’ work includes:
 A school doing threat assessments
 The prison doing assessments, or in the courtroom serving as an expert witness
 For psychological analysis, evaluation, assessment and treatment
 Reducing stress for staff and prisoners.
 Piloting and implementing new treatment programme.
 Crime analysis
 Social services
Moreover, the work will be done in association with the police, probation services, prisons and
young offender institutions, trying to understand the psychological problems leading to criminal
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behavior and looking for ways to prevent it.
ROLE OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGIST

 Shedding light on the mental functioning of defendants

 Work with victims of crime
 An investigative and a therapeutic capacity, for example child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic
violence
 Developing psychological profiles of criminals (crime scene’s investigation)
 Work in correctional settings (conducting screenings and assessments on inmates)
 Provide mental health care to inmates in the form of group or individual therapies (substance
abuse treatment or anger management)

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Any questions ???

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Thank you.