Forensic Psychology Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-15-2022

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological knowledge to the criminal justice system. Print out and pin up this Cheat Sheet to remind yourself of how forensic psychology is used within the justice system to assess offenders, identify criminal capacity in young people, and to characterize psychopaths.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 06-26-2021

Immersing yourself in the behavioral science of criminology involves analyzing the tools and approaches for helping you, and society as a whole, understand and even control criminal behavior. From interpreting the legal terminology of the various types of violent crime, to examining the important theories as to why people commit crimes, criminological research gives you the knowledge you need to follow crime trends.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

In criminology, examining why people commit crime is very important in the ongoing debate of how crime should be handled and prevented. Many theories have emerged over the years, and they continue to be explored, individually and in combination, as criminologists seek the best solutions in ultimately reducing types and levels of crime. Here is a broad overview of some key theories: Rational choice theory: People generally act in their self-interest and make decisions to commit crime after weighing the potential risks (including getting caught and punished) against the rewards. Social disorganization theory: A person’s physical and social environments are primarily responsible for the behavioral choices that person makes. In particular, a neighborhood that has fraying social structures is more likely to have high crime rates. Such a neighborhood may have poor schools, vacant and vandalized buildings, high unemployment, and a mix of commercial and residential property. Strain theory: Most people have similar aspirations, but they don’t all have the same opportunities or abilities. When people fail to achieve society’s expectations through approved means such as hard work and delayed gratification, they may attempt to achieve success through crime. Social learning theory: People develop motivation to commit crime and the skills to commit crime through the people they associate with. Social control theory: Most people would commit crime if not for the controls that society places on individuals through institutions such as schools, workplaces, churches, and families. Labeling theory: People in power decide what acts are crimes, and the act of labeling someone a criminal is what makes him a criminal. Once a person is labeled a criminal, society takes away his opportunities, which may ultimately lead to more criminal behavior. Biology, genetics, and evolution: Poor diet, mental illness, bad brain chemistry, and even evolutionary rewards for aggressive criminal conduct have been proposed as explanations for crime.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

In criminology, how a violent crime is approached depends very much on how the crime is defined. So many different legal terms exist for various forms of violent crimes that it’s often hard for people to keep track of what means what. Following are simple yet detailed definitions of some common types of violent crimes: Homicide: The killing of one person by another (regardless of the circumstances). Murder: The intentional killing of another human being. First-degree murder: A term some states use to refer to an intentional killing. Second-degree murder: A term some states use to refer to an unintentional killing in which the killer demonstrates “extreme indifference to human life” or “wanton disregard” for the life of the victim. Felony murder: A term some states use for a death that occurs during the commission of a serious felony, such as robbery or kidnapping. (All participants in such a felony can be charged with murder.) Manslaughter: The unintentional killing of another person, where the killer engages in reckless conduct that causes a death. Negligent homicide: The causing of someone’s death through negligence. Battery: The act of making offensive physical contact with someone. Assault: The threat of a battery, or an attempted battery, without actual physical contact. Simple assault or battery: The act of causing someone low-level — not serious — physical injury. Aggravated assault or battery: Serious felony conduct that involves the use of a dangerous or deadly weapon or that results in serious injury. Vehicular assault: Dangerous driving that results in injury to another. Spousal assault (also called domestic assault or intimate partner violence): Violence between domestic partners. Rape: The act of forcibly compelling someone to have sexual intercourse, or sexual intercourse between an adult and a partner under the age of 18, or the act of having intercourse with someone whom the law deems incapable of consent because of a mental handicap. Sodomy: The act of having forced anal or oral sex with someone, or the consensual act of participating in those same acts between an adult and a juvenile.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Forensic Psychologists often assess offenders to determine whether they’re fit to plead their case in court, or are likely to be violent in the future. There are a number of important issues to be considered in this assessment and these are outlined here: Family background Any history of abuse? Offender ever removed from family? Any criminal close relatives? Criminal background Amount and variety of criminal convictions? Types of victims? (Particularly their age and gender) Education Achievements at school? (Or lack of them) Age left school? Literacy skill level? Numeracy skill level? Attitudes Opinions about crime and criminality? Justifications of his or her offences? Any processes of denial or minimisation? Psychological characteristics General intelligence level? Any indications of mental illness? Any indication of personality disorder? Domestic circumstances History of intimate relationships? Current intimate relationships? Any children? Occupational history? Residential circumstances? Economic circumstances?

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Robert Hare's Psychopathy checklist is a tool commonly used in clinical practice to assess whether an individual is a psychopath. Here are Hare’s definitions of two types of psychopath: Selfish, callous psychopaths Glibly, but superficially charming Grandiose feeling of how important s/he is Pathological liar – lies when there is no need to Manipulates others, cunning Lacks remorse or any feelings of guilt Does not really feel strongly about anything Lacks empathy Does not accept responsibility for his/her actions Deviant psychopaths Easily bored, needs excitement Feeds off other people No realistic, long-term goals Impulsive Irresponsible Lack of control over actions Behavioural problems in childhood Juvenile delinquency Different types of offending Abuses any conditions set by the courts

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Criminality can often be linked back to an offender’s childhood. A child who exhibits three or more of the following behaviours is at risk of becoming seriously anti-social as an adult: Habitual lying Cruelty to animals Cruelty to people, especially vulnerable people Breaking into buildings or cars Destroying property, that of their own or others Deliberate fire-setting Running away from home overnight more than once Stealing more than once Frequent truancy