INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

PUBLIC DESCRIPTION OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY BY APA

Forensic psychology is the professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology or another specialty recognized by the American Psychological Association, when they are engaged as experts and represent themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise to the judicial system.

http://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/forensic.aspx

AMERICAN BOARD OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY;

Forensic Psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. The word "forensic" comes from the Latin word "forensis," meaning "of the forum," where the law courts of ancient Rome were held. Today forensic refers to the application of scientific principles and practices to the adversary process where specially knowledgeable scientists play a role.
http://www.abfp.com

THE BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETYTHE DIVISION OF FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

Forensic Psychology is the application of psychological principles within criminal and civil legal contexts. Forensic Psychologists apply their skills across the domains of assessment, treatment, research, consultancy, training, management and supervision. Client groups include the courts, offenders, victims, and criminal justice personnel such as the police, prison and probation.
http://dfp.bps.org.uk/

 Legal Psychology covers the application of psychological knowledge and methods to the process of law Criminal Psychology deals with the application of psychological knowledge and method to the understanding (and reduction) of criminal behaviour

Unlike the typical clinical setting where a client as voluntarily sought out assistance or evaluation, a forensic psychologist usually deals with clients who are not there of their own free will.

SOME LANDMARK DATES IN THE STUDY OF LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

1843 Daniel McNaughten is found not guilty by reason of insanity; nine medical experts testify on his behalf 1896 a psychologist, Albert von Schrenck-Notzing testified at a murder trial 1906 In a speech to Austrian Judges, Sigmund Freud suggests that psychology has important applications for their field 1908 Psychologist Hugo Munsterberg's On the witness stand is published 1908 In Muller v. Oregon, attorney Louis Brandeis submits a brief that includes empirical research results relating to the issue at hand (working hours for women)

SOME LANDMARK DATES IN THE STUDY OF LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

1909 Legal scholar John H. Wigmore satirizes Munsterberg's claims in a law review article 1909-18 Guy Whipple publishes a series of articles in Psychological Bulletin extending European research (e.g., Stern, Binet) on observation, memory, and witness testimony 1916 Lewis Terman begins applying psychology to law enforcement 1917 psychologist William Marston (a student of Munsterberg) found that systolic blood pressure had a strong correlation to lying

SOME LANDMARK DATES IN THE STUDY OF LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

1954 The "Social Science Brief', written by psychologists Kenneth Clark, Isidor Chein, and Stuart Cook and signed by 35 social scientists, is cited in a footnote of the momentous Brown vs. Board of Education decision outlawing school segregation. 1968-69 The American Psychology-Law Society is founded 1971 The Program in Law and Social Science is established at NSF 1974 First joint-degree psychology-law program is established (University of Nebraska) 1976 "Psychology and the law" is first reviewed (by J. L. Tapp) in the Annual Review of Psychology

SOME LANDMARK DATES IN THE STUDY OF LAW AND PSYCHOLOGY

1977 Law and Human Behavior begins publication as the AP-LS journal 1980-81 APA's Division 41, Psychology and Law, is established 1984 AP-LS merges with Division 41 of APA 1991 Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists are approved 1992 The European Association of Psychology and Law is instituted 1995 Psychology, Public Policy, and Law begins publication as an APA journal

JOURNALS
Law and Human Behavior Psychology, Public Policy, and Law Psychology, Crime, and Law Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology Journal of Forensic Neuropsychology Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry American Journal of Forensic Psychology Legal and Criminological Psychology Behavioral Sciences & the Law Criminal Justice and Behavior Law and Psychology Review