As knowledge of the human mind increases, so too does the role of psychologists in criminal investigations. Their research into criminal offenses and behaviour allows us to better understand offender motivations and the root causes of crime. Read on to discover what criminal psychologists do, the psychological methods they use and how their work informs the law and justice system.
Written by Grant Longstaff. Published 27 November 2024.
What do criminal psychologists do?
Criminal psychologists, more commonly known as forensic psychologists in the UK, use psychological theory to understand crimes and criminal behaviour. As a forensic psychologist you’ll study criminal behaviour, focusing on why people commit the crimes they do. You’ll work with offenders in an effort to help their rehabilitation and reduce the risk of reoffending. You’ll also work with the victims of crime to help them overcome the challenges they may face, and with professionals throughout the legal, health and justice systems.
Forensic psychology methods
The discipline of psychology is research led, and it’s no different in the field of forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists use the wealth of research and knowledge already available in the field to inform and shape their future work. There are many methods used but observation, assessment and analysis are the cornerstones of forensic psychology.
Behavioural observation
Behavioural observation essentially involves watching an individual in an attempt to better understand their actions and motivation. This can help identify anything from patterns in a person’s behaviour to detecting mental illnesses or conditions, all of which may have an impact on why they offended in the first place. It also helps forensic psychologists identify if reoffending is likely, and tailor courses of treatment to individual needs.
Neuropsychological assessment
Neuropsychological assessments examine how brain function affects behaviour. There are many different types of assessment, designed to test different brain functions including memory, decision making and attention. Neuropsychological assessment can reveal more about the brain which in turn allows forensic psychologists to build a better picture of the individual.
The range of methods used by forensic psychologists is vast – what works in one case may not work in another – the most important thing to understand is how and why these methods are used. The more forensic psychologists understand the mind of the offender, the better placed they are to help them. Their research can help identify patterns in criminality, which could help reduce or prevent crimes in the future. As well as this, their work can be helped to help shape criminal investigations and bring change to the justice system.
Forensic psychology in criminal investigations
Criminal profiling is only one aspect of the work carried out by forensic psychologists. They may also help by providing support during criminal investigations and trials. For example, they could help evaluate witness testimony as recollections can be imperfect, or support victims through a potentially stressful or difficult trial.
Forensic psychologists can also help protect the rights and welfare of suspects throughout an investigation with data driven research on the best way to carry out a police interview, and guarantee the robustness of evidence by ensuring the interviews remain ethically sound.
Forensic psychology and the law
History has proven that psychology has influenced and helped change the law. As psychologists began to better understand the human mind we also saw changes in how the law was implemented. This is present in the development of standards in police interrogations, and the special verdict of “not guilty by reason of insanity”, though there has been continued calls for reform in this area as the understanding of mental health increases.
There are also instances where the law has changed more directly because of psychological knowledge and research. Consider, for example, Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, which introduced the offence of “controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship”, which acknowledges abuse can be nonphysical.
If you’re considering a career in the field of criminal psychology then our BSc (Hons) in Psychology and Criminology brings psychological research together with criminological theory.
