What is Forensic Psychology?

If you have a fascination with psychology and law, forensic psychology could be for you. While it may not always involve the dramatic crime scenes of your favorite television shows, the actuality may prove far more interesting.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), forensic psychology is the application of clinical specialties to the legal sphere. The APA said public interest in forensic psychology has skyrocketed in recent years, in part due to interest driven by crime dramas on television. However, some fictional depictions of the field have led to misconceptions about what forensic psychology actually entails.

“Forensic psychology applies behavioral sciences research and expertise to a wide variety of legal settings, including police departments, courtrooms and correctional facilities,” said Dr. Patti Butterfield, a forensic psychology instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

Butterfield joined the Federal Bureau of Prisons as a staff psychologist. She was later promoted to the agency's central office in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a psychology services branch administrator overseeing the work of more than 1,500 mental health professionals. She then closed out her career by serving with the Senior Executive Service before retiring, opening a consulting business and starting as an instructor at SNHU.

“In my experience, forensic psychology is a fascinating, rewarding and challenging field,” Butterfield said. “The work is extremely interesting, offering the opportunity to explore the nuances of human behavior and the intricacies of our legal system.”

What Exactly Does a Forensic Psychologist Do?

If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a forensic psychologist, it’s important to understand exactly what the position entails. Although you may primarily associate the role with providing expert testimony at criminal trials, that's only one service forensic psychologists offer.

“The demand for services in this field is high, and forensic psychologists are generally well-received within the legal system,” said Butterfield.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists at large are poised for 6% growth through 2032 — faster than average.*

Butterfield said key duties for forensic psychologists include:

• Conducting comprehensive assessments
• Drawing conclusions based on sufficient evidence
• Maintaining objectivity and professionalism
• Relying on empirical data

Forensic psychologists offer a variety of different services throughout the legal system, and you might find yourself conducting important assessments and making pivotal determinations that affect cases and lives. Butterfield said a few of these responsibilities may include:

• Child custody determinations
• Competency and sanity evaluations
• Criminal profiling
• Risk assessments

“While the complexity of issues confronted at the intersection of psychology and the law cannot be underestimated, addressing these challenges makes for a stimulating and satisfying career,” Butterfield said.

What are the Subfields of Forensic Psychology?

Although forensic psychology itself is a subfield of psychology, it has a number of specializations of its own.

“Introduction to Forensic Psychology: Research and Application” by Curt R. Bartol and Anne M. Bartol defined the following branches of forensic psychology (PDF source):

• Correctional psychology: Correctional psychologists work to treat, rehabilitate and help inmates reintegrate into the community.
• Legal psychology: Legal psychologists specifically study the intersection of psychology and law.
• Police psychology: This subfield applies psychology concepts and clinical skills to the realm of policing and public safety.
• Psychology of crime and delinquency: Psychology of crime and delinquency refers to the science behind the mental and behavioral processes of both adult and juvenile offenders.
• Victimology and victim services: Victimology refers to the study of people who have experienced harm — whether physical, psychological, social or financial — as the result of a crime or an attempted crime.

Each of these specializations offer a different perspective and focus, but they all relate back to people and the law.

Do You Need a Doctorate to Become a Forensic Psychologist?

According to Butterfield, requirements for becoming a forensic psychologist differ between states and jurisdictions, and a majority of locales require that forensic psychologists hold a doctorate (SNHU does not currently offer a doctorate in forensic psychology). She recommended that you thoroughly research the requirements in your state or wherever you plan to reside before finalizing your education plans.

But even if your locale requires a doctorate to practice as forensic psychologist, Butterfield said a bachelor’s or master's in the field can each prepare you for a variety of related positions in courts, corrections and law enforcement.

Are Forensic Degrees Worth It?

A bachelor’s degree in forensic psychology can teach you about human behavior as well as the criminal justice system, preparing you for a variety of positions in criminal justice and human services.

Some potential roles for those with a bachelor's in forensic psychology include:

• Crime analyst
• Jury consultant
• Victim advocate
• Social/community service manager

“A bachelor's degree in forensic psychology establishes the knowledge and skills required for officers of the court to prepare thorough pre-trial investigative reports, to aid in sentencing decisions and develop reentry plans aimed at reducing the likelihood of recidivism,” Butterfield said.

If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree, you could also consider earning a master’s in forensic psychology to further your learning and career prospects.

“A master's degree in forensic psychology supports a deeper understanding of the field and provides the opportunity to develop expertise in specific components of the field,” Butterfield said.

Earning a master’s in forensic psychology from SNHU helped Emily Bevens ‘23G prepare her to start a career as a records specialist at a local police department. She noted that the degree readied her to work in a police department as she learned about criminal justice processes and procedures as well as human behavior.

"Understanding the differences that each person may have has not only helped me in my current position but will continue to be helpful the rest of my life in any career or job I take on," Bevens said.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. They're currently writing their debut novel, which was Longlisted for The First Pages Prize. Connect with them on LinkedIn.