Forensic Psychology Booklet - Essay Example

Forensic Psychology Booklet s This work is a booklet for the future forensic psychologists, which comprises the total description and analysis of this profession. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate the functions and methods as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this job to the future students and help them to make the right decision. The booklet concerns the basic statements of the USA forensic system and the areas of its distribution and development. The students have the opportunity to look through the booklet and choose the area of forensic psychology, which they like most of all. The work structure comprises several parts: the educational levels of the forensic psychologists, different roles in the system of law, the case law and special amendments to the Constitution of the USA, the history and past researches in this field, the ethical issues of this profession and so forth.Each part provides the reader with the complete information based on the practical researches and experience of the past decades. “Law is a human invention. It is designed to solve the problem of how we can live together while preserving individual liberties. We have to give up some freedom in order to live together peacefully and to have the benefits that come from living in an orderly society that protects us and creates opportunities for our development and happiness” (Levine, M., Wallach, L., 2002). Forensic psychology has a long and interesting history. It is a branch of scientific knowledge, which comprises the mixture of psychological and legal studies. According to the predominant features of this subject, it is a branch of psychology that affects the specificity of its methodology, research methods, theories, practical advice and so forth. Forensic psychology interacts with all branches of the legal sciences: philosophy, ethics, psychiatry, science management and so forth. The importance of this branch of psychology is a significant base for the future researches and scientific conclusions, as it deals mostly with people, who have mental disabilities. The educational levels of the forensic psychologists "Forensic Psychology is generally defined as the application of the science and profession psychology to questions and issues related to law and legal system" (Kitaeff, J., 2011). Forensic psychology comprises different levels of education. According to the Labor Statistics Bureau, a future specialist must acquire at least master’s degree. There are several differences between these levels. To provide the reader with the structural information about them, here are represented the three main levels of education: 1) The Bachelor’s Degree requires 4 years of study. This level is usually based on the study of criminology and abnormal features of psychology. It is the first step in the career of the future specialist, but it is usually not enough to achieve the success in it. That is why there are additional educational levels, described below. 2) The Master’s Degree requires 2 additional years of study. 3) The Doctoral Degree requires from 2 to 4 additional years of study. The forensic psychologist plays a very important role in different branches of the judiciary system. It is the person, who helps to create the analysis of the committed crime and discover the peculiarities, which are not seen by the other experts. The roles of forensic psychologist: The academic researcher. These forensic specialists are involved in the supervision and training of the students. Such specialists usually apply for a job to colleges and governments as well as research institutes and so forth. The famous representatives of this branch were Saul Kassin and Elizabeth Loftus. Correction psychologist. The specialists who work with the imprisoned people in the correctional establishments. They are responsible for the treatment of those people, who were imprisoned on the probation period. Consultant to the legislation enforcement. These forensic psychologists cooperate with different law enforcement communities and help them in the researches of the confusing cases. Expert witness. The experts, which make conclusions as for the mental health of the accused and bear witnesses on the basis of these conclusions. Evaluator. In this case, a forensic psychologist deals with the evaluation of the accused person by way of the analysis of his actions during the violation of the criminal or civil law. Their work is a forensic medical examination, which is attached to the other materials of the case. Trial consultant. These are sociologists who work in a team and prepare the case for the future consideration. Their work includes: choosing of the members of the jury, preparing the witnesses and so forth. Treatment provider is a specialist who deals with the curing of mentally disordered people in prison. There are several areas, in which a forensic psychologist should be well-versed. This work describes them in order to warn the students about the necessity of their study. First of all it is important to be aware of the case law. It is the decision of a particular court as for the case, based on the legal source. Case law is a decision, which is supported by previous solutions in a similar case. “Theories of crime are probably as old as crime itself. Aristotle claimed that “poverty is the parent of revolution and crime”, but most ancient explanations of crime took a religious tone: crime was either equivalent or due to sin, a view that was popular throughout the Middle Ages” (Wrightsman, L., S., Nietzel, M., T., Fortune, W., H., 1998). Case law reveals itself in the event, that took place in the past and its example predetermines the similar actions in relation to the present. The major role of the forensic psychologist in this area is to provide the well-minded facts to the general case based on the correct results of the medical examination. The results provided can be either the supporting arguments or the offensive materials, which predetermine the future fate of the case and consequently influence the life of the person. The second aspect, important for consideration is amendments to the Constitution. The forensic psychologist should be obligatory knowledgeable in this sphere as it is the main element of the judiciary system. The Constitution of the USA went through a number of amendments, which influenced the life of its nation. For example, the amendment from the December 15, 1791 about the prohibition of the voluntary searches and arrests. This law was added for the protection of the rights of people. Any search or arrest should be based on the facts, indicating the complicity of the subject to a particular crime. The introduction of this law made the life of the people more secure and safe. Another important amendment was included into the Constitution of the USA in December 6, 1985 – “the abolition of slavery”. This decision changed the life of thousands of people and provided them with the new capabilities. “The dry law” accepted in January 17, 1920 was a decision, which aim was to save people and overcome the illegal distribution of the alcoholic beverages. The amendments are the integral part of the Constitution of any state, which aim is to insert the necessary changes to the applicable legislation and to make the life of the citizens better. The past researches of the forensic psychology "It is a truism that professional forensic psychology can be instrumental in making the law more therapeutic and helping the legal system become more effective in achieving its aims" (Jack Kitaeff, 2011). Despite the fact that forensic psychology is one of the relatively young fields of science, the application of its knowledge began in antique times. The experience of modern generations in forensic psychology is based upon the ancient and medieval criminal proceedings.In the ancient and medieval times, the main evidence was a personal confession of the suspect. It was considered as the main evidence andextracted by any means, including the use of torture and cruel treatment.The medieval feudal investigative process was substituted by the bourgeois adversarial proceedings. The evidence of the witness was the most important thing in the criminal case. The psychological knowledge was applied for the correct evaluation of the testimony of the interested people. The resolution of methodological problems in legal psychology continued for several decades. The main topic of the researches was the application of psychological knowledge to the preliminary investigation and trial. The scientists studied the possibility of using the methods of experimental psychology for investigation of the crimes. It had a significant contribution to the development of the legal psychology of that time. At the end of the 1930s the forensic psychology went through the number of changes. The research institutions were closed and the scientific studies were stopped. It is clear that during that period no psychological researchescould be carried out. Scientists were isolated from issues of investigation and judicial activities. They were even expelled from criminology. Nowadays, the studies of the experts in the field of forensic psychology develop greatly. Positive changes are observed in terms of research. These processes show the output of psychology in discovering of different methods of criminal analysis. Ethical considerations in the questions of forensic psychology The emergence of professional ethics was predetermined by the specific socio-economic conditions of the development of the society as well as the material and spiritual needs of the people. Professional ethics of the forensic psychologists or the legal ethics is a specific form of the manifestation of morality. It is based upon the principles of the representatives of the legislative structure. The professional ethics of the forensic psychologist summarizes and researches the principles, norms and other elements of morality. It helps people to develop the principles and norms in terms of feelings, beliefs, ideals, habits and so forth. Finally, the professional ethics of forensic psychologist is a set of moral ideas and attitudes that find their expression in the behavior of representatives of the certain social groups. The professional ethics is very important in this specialty as it is an integral part of the communication between people. Three main aspects of the American judicial system 1) Witness testimony is the information expressed in oral responses of witnesses about the circumstances relevant to the consideration and resolution of the case. The testimony is not considered as the evidence of the information if the witness can not specify the source of his knowledge. These include the information on the circumstances relevant to the consideration and resolution of the civil case. The examination of the witness before the court establishes his identity, clarifies his rights and obligations and warns of the criminal liability for the refusal to testify and for perjury. The witness accepts the subscription, which states and explains his duties and responsibilities. The subscription is attached to the minutes of the court session. This aspect of the American judicial system belongs to the system of legislative measures for the correct perception and investigation of the case. It is obviously necessary for the commitment of the future fate of the affair. 2) Jury trial is theinstitute of judiciary system, consisting of the people, selected by the random sampling procedure and one professional judge to decide questions of law. Jury trial considers the criminal proceedings of the serious crimes of the first instance. In most states (except Oregon and Louisiana), and in some countries, the jury can make decisions only unanimously. In others by the simple majority. However, the punishment is always elected by the judge. In New Jersey all the facts used by the judge to determine the sentence must be proved by the jury. The opinions as for the jury trial can be different, as it comprises both advantages and disadvantages. This system was always used as the supporting point for the accepting of the punishment for the complicated and confused matters. 3) The statutory law is a hierarchy of legal system. Acts of the legislative bodies have greater legal force than the acts of the executive bodies; acts of state bodies have greater legal force than the acts of the local authorities. Statutory law is supplemented by the common law, which interprets theexisting law or fill its gaps through the judicial precedents. The structural hierarchy has a stable background, based on the previous experience. “The modern trend in psychiatry is distinctly in the opposite direction. We no longer today insist upon material changes in cells and tissues for every psychotic phenomenon, but rather endeavor to investigate mental life, be it normal or abnormal, from the biologic point of view. We are being constantly confronted with the undeniable fact that whatever may be the physical substratum of mental disorder, it does not aid us in understanding the peculiar expression which a given psychosis chooses to assume” (Glueck, B., 1916). The work of forensic psychologists acquires a lot of knowledge and experience in the sphere of judicial system. Nevertheless, its importance in the modern legislation is definitely visible due to the demand on the labor market. References Glueck, B. (1916). Studies in Forensic Psychiatry. Boston: LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY. Kitaeff, J. (2011). Forensic Psychology. The USA: University of Maryland, University College. Levine, M., Wallach, L. (2002). Psychological Problems, Social Issues, and Law. The USA: Allyn and Bacon. Wrightsman, L., S., Nietzel, M., T., Fortune, W., H. (1998). Psychology and the Legal System, 4th edition. The USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. Read More