Given the stats of true-crime documentary views, we assume you already know how criminology and forensic psychology work. In fact, true-crime documentaries are among the leading factors that have put forensic psychologists back to work.

But how about we tell you that this a busting myths segment because what you see on screen is only partly true? First things first, criminologists and forensic psychologists aren’t the ones tackling suspects, knocking out escapers, breaking down the doors, etc. Nor are they the ones who’d take down evil using loaded weaponry or firearms.

Now, before you assume that they are some secret agent, let us enlighten you! Forensic psychologist experts are specialised professionals who are required by the court to assess criminal behaviours and intents in light of clinical psychology. Once they get done with the assessment, they compile their findings in a report. This report needs to be in compliance with Civil Procedure Rules and therefore, taken as expert testimony or evidence in the court in the UK.

This blog will be talk about the whats and whatnots, considering the capacities of criminology and forensic psychology experts. Being done with the fluff, let’s slip right into the topic:

Common Misconception about Criminology and Forensic Psychology Experts

The common misconception is that a person working in criminology and forensic psychology studies the DNA, human remains, and crime scene evidence. While it is a part of forensic psychologists’ job, they are not always spotted spending quality time with the dead.

Forensic psychologists expert witnesses are basically clinical psychologists. They use psychological concepts, i.e., clinical psychology, in criminal justice and law. While they are the minds behind understanding criminal psychology, most forensic psychologists work in the legal system as consultants and advisors.

But busting myths is always fun, so let’s not jump to conclusions right away!

To understand what a criminology and forensic psychology expert does and not, we need to understand what he exactly does. Once we’re past this, give yourself a pat because by then, you’d know exactly what a forensic person’s capacities are.

Criminology and Forensic Psychology Expert Can Do…

A criminology and forensic psychology expert witness’s guiding principles in court are always scientific evidence and forensic analysis; however, their professional responsibilities are slightly different. Of course, the employment situation of forensic psychologists underlines the roles they cater to. Nevertheless, some basic responsibilities that every forensic person shares include:

1. Assist in the resolution of custody disputes and evaluate visitation hazards
2. Untangle the abusive behaviour patterns, offer therapy, and rehabilitation
3. Evaluating a defendant’s ability to stand trial and mental competency in a criminal court
4. Providing insight into a defendant’s mental state and acting as an expert witness
5. Occasionally providing psychotherapy and dynamic psychotherapy to crime victims
6. Working as a consultant in a criminal case for the defence or the prosecution
7. Research forensic psychology-related issues and past research in such areas
8. To better understand why people break the law and study criminology
9. Develop criminal profiles based on common psychological traits
10. Analyse the offender’s intent and address anything from psychology to law

Need a better understanding of the role of criminology and forensic psychology expert? Visit here.

Criminology and Forensic Psychology Expert Can’t Do…

We gave the caution; we’re going to question television and media for setting the wrong expectations. For example, watching crime documentaries, if you think criminology and forensic psychology experts witnesses are solely there to spend time with criminals, they aren’t. Their responsibilities are much more diverse than that, but hands bound.

Let’s start busting myths and see what people believe forensic psychologists can do but they can’t:

The Founding Principle of ‘Do Not Harm‘

Here’s one thing straight: justice is not a joke, and law is never taken for granted. By the rule of thumb, ‘do not harm’ is one of the founding principles of psychology. However, when psychology coincides with the justice system, this principle of ‘do not harm’ is usually sided.

The guiding principle of criminology and forensic psychology is to incarcerate first – it doesn’t matter if it’s harmful or not.

Following a study, 25.45% (avg.) of the imprisoned are seriously mentally ill, concluded based on a year-long study. Furthermore, forcing a person’s mental health into the courtroom may result in jury alienation. And most forensic psychologists are very well aware of this.

Forensic Psychologists are NOT Secret Agents

Thanks to television and media, criminology and forensic psychology experts are often confused with MI6 or FBI agents. This isn’t true. An intelligence agency agent, by default, works for the nation and collects and analyses the data he finds to safeguard the nation from any threat.

Contrarily, forensic psychologists do not do any of this. Instead, they are responsible for untangling criminal psychology, psychiatric behaviour development, criminal intent, research, and more. The secrecy underlying forensic psychology is because their job does not require them to come on stage.

Forensic Can Fix the False-Positives

Fixing the false-positive symptoms of a mentally ill offender is also not a responsibility of a criminology and forensic psychology expert in the UK. It is, in fact, an ethical dilemma. It is important to remember that no forensic person will help you fool the law.

Clinicians, who are too suggestive regarding their tools, can sometimes illegitimately encourage a syndrome. The reports generated this way are called false-positive mental health reports. Of course, they can be proven negative by a forensic person, but in no way can he step against the law and affirm them.

Conclusion

In simplest terms, they are NOT the only minds behind the incarceration of the unjust; they are a part of a panel. Criminology and forensic psychology experts do not work with the police; the police sometimes hire them on a case-to-case basis. They work in complete accordance with the law, meaning if you are a criminal, the first step will always be to imprison you.

Thus, the underlying confusion about the role of a criminology and forensic psychology expert is based on a handful of factors (and our first finger would probably point toward Television and Media). Forensic psychologists play a critical role that must be in complete and absolute alignment with the law, and Concise Medico understands this.

Our highly qualified panel of forensic psychologist conducts assessments and interviews, presents cases, and provides expert testimony in criminal investigations. They work in complete accordance with law enforcement, prisons, probation departments, and young offender institutions.