What Does a Criminal Psychologist Do?
A criminal psychologist mainly studies the personality of convicted criminals or people undergoing prosecution, including their actions, thoughts, reactions, and intentions. Most of the time, criminal psychology is performed in an evaluation capacity when a defendant is suspected of having diminished mental ability. A criminal psychologist will conduct tests that help determine if the person being evaluated is competent to stand trial.
In addition to studying the basic actions involved in criminal behavior, a criminal psychologist tries to dig deep into a person’s subconscious to figure out what caused him to commit the crime in the first place. Once the evaluation is complete, the psychologist is often asked to provide expert testimony about the defendant in court. This gives the jury insight into the mind of the accused.
Not all criminal psychology takes place in a court setting. Many times, a criminal psychologist is called upon to work closely with law enforcement agencies or the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to profile murderers, sexual predators, and other hardened criminals. The trend of criminal psychology profiling began in the 1940s when psychiatrists were enlisted to help profile Adolf Hitler. Since that time, criminal psychologists have remained instrumental in the modern criminology innovations that help define emerging investigative sciences.
Criminal anthropology is another branch of criminal psychology. A criminal psychologist may be asked to examine a victim’s bones to help determine the murderers’ mindset at the time of the killing. With specialized training, a criminal psychologist learns how to use the forensic clues left behind in the bones or other material to define the pattern, or modus operandi (MO), of individual criminals. With the information this type of study provides, law enforcement officials gain valuable forensic evidence that can be used in court.
There are also opportunities for a criminal psychologist to work outside of courtrooms and active law enforcement. Many psychologists opt to set up a private practice or go on to teach criminal justice and forensic psychology for federal agencies and at the university level. Private practice typically produces more income, especially if a criminal psychologist chooses to provide expert court testimony in addition to his practice.
Education requirements for a career in criminal psychology vary across the world. Most areas require at least a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, or criminal psychology. Someone who plans a clinical or advanced career may need a master's degree or Ph.D.
Written by SM Taylor
