Professional EthicsRole and Importance - Essay Example

Understanding the Concepts al Affiliation) Psychology is an art and practice that has been applied since it was realized that it had a practical contribution in to some essential aspects in everyday life. Due to dynamism, psychologist have advocated for use of psychology in legal matters, professional and institutional practice, clinical practice as well as medical practice among others. This thus has necessitated the inception and use of forensic psychology in the field of criminal investigation, clinical practice, legal affairs and also as a profession (Weiner, 2006).

My area of discussion would thus be forensic psychology in criminal profiling and investigation. In this particular field forensic psychologist play a vital role in the criminal justice system that include counseling, post-traumatic stress debriefing, suicide watchers in jails or prisons, and working in courts as evaluators of judges, prosecutors or defense attorneys. They also work on civil and criminal cases in fighting for the interest of the accused and those who suffer from mental illness or substance abuse.

Role of ethics comes about in this department in that it gives the parties involves that are the accused, mentally ill or substance abusers, prisoners, and the court panel an intellectual free will of having the right to share, hold belief and convey ideas at ease and most importantly how they view it suitable. This is drawn from the fact that forensic psychologist practitioners are required to uphold the standards, codes and ethical values that don’t condone bad, dishonest, or irresponsible behaviors.

This therefore means that respect, trustworthiness, honesty, and confidentiality must be upheld as the key moral values in practicing forensic psychology in criminal profiling(Godwin, 2001). The role of ethics in criminal profiling by forensic psychology professional hence is that it encourages effective and efficient investigation, and also aids in providing detailed information of various behavioral patterns witnessed amongst the outlaws.Ethics has proved to be of huge importance in this profession as it has created a platform under which professionals can be bound together towards exceptional achievements in criminal profiling.

Consequently it has encouraged integrity, good working environments, and contributing to societal well being that ultimately has positive defining end. For instance, the ethics of integrity and justice in forensic psychology has made it achievable to follow related crimes in multiple cases especially serial killers, arsonist and rapists who commit a series of killings, arson and rapping respectively(Godwin, 2001). In addition, the ethic of confidentiality as an investigation approach has improved the protection of the accused and obtaining detailed information that explains why a perceived criminal committed the crime.

This is for instance seen in a case where a person commits a crime or suicide under the influence of drugs. In other cases, there are also those who commit crimes while mentally ill or disturbed. There are also those who are wrongly accused or framed for a crime they did not commit. These examples therefore outline the importance of ethics in criminal profiling particularly when it comes to investigations on human conduct directing one to commit a crime, the mental status of criminal and drug abuse, and promoting the protection of civil and legal rights (Godwin, 2001).

Forensic psychology is not just about an individual or personality; it has to encompass age, sex, race, occupation, and social support systems. Therefore, as professionals in forensic psychology practice, problem solving can be very difficult if the ethics are not upheld. It becomes essential to use rigorous ethical professionalism that can only be realized through revision and emphasis on the codes of professional ethics. Education must also used as a necessary tool in supplementing codes of ethics in forensic psychology practice, ultimately developing and improving the devotion, strive and significance of professional ethics towards competence.

ReferencesWeiner, I. B. (2006). The handbook of forensic psychology: ed. by Irving B. Weiner . (3. ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Godwin, G. M. (2001). Criminal psychology and forensic technology: a collaborative approach to effective profiling. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press.