Forensic Psychology

by | Jul 31, 2023 | ImPerfect - Urveez Kakalia

Forensic Psychology

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Forensic psychology is a field of psychology that applies psychological principles to legal and criminal justice contexts. Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilities to assess and treat criminal offenders, victims, and witnesses. They also conduct research on topics such as criminal behaviour, profiling, and eyewitness testimony.

To get a degree in Forensic Psychology in India, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can pursue a master’s degree (MA or MSc) in forensic psychology.

There are a few universities in India that offer master’s degrees in forensic psychology:

  • National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences (NICFS)
  • National Forensic Science University
  • Rashtriya Raksha University
  • Lovely Professional University

Some of the papers included in the MSc Forensic Psychology course are:

  • Introduction to Forensic Science and Law
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Legal Concepts and Evidence Related Issues
  • Causation of Crime
  • Psychopathology
  • Quantitative Methods
  • Qualitative Methods and Scientific Writing
  • Forensic Investigative Methods – 1
  • Forensic Investigative Methods – 2
  • Psychological Assessment in Forensic Setting
  • Expert Testimonial and Eyewitness Testimony
  • Victimology and Victim Assistance
  • Violence Against Children and Women

Once you have completed your master’s degree, you can pursue a PhD in forensic psychology. A PhD in forensic psychology will allow you to conduct independent research and teach at the university level.

There are a variety of career options available to forensic psychologists in India. Some of the most common roles of a forensic psychologist include:

  • Criminal profiler: Criminal profilers use their knowledge of psychology to create profiles of unknown offenders based on crime scene analysis, behaviour patterns, and psychological characteristics. 
  • Forensic psychologist: Forensic psychologists assess the mental health of criminal suspects, victims, and witnesses; provide expert testimony in court; and develop treatment programs for offenders. Forensic psychologists are often hired by law enforcement agencies to conduct psychological assessments of criminal suspects, victims, and witnesses. They may also be called upon to provide expert testimony in court 
  • Expert witness: Forensic psychologists can be called upon to testify as expert witnesses in court cases. They may be asked to provide their opinion on the mental state of a criminal suspect, the reliability of eyewitness testimony, or the effectiveness of a treatment program. Forensic psychologists may be hired by the courts to provide expert testimony on a variety of topics, such as the mental state of a criminal suspect, the reliability of eyewitness testimony, or the effectiveness of a treatment program. 
  • Researcher: Forensic psychologists can conduct research on a variety of topics related to crime and psychology. They may study the causes of crime, the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions, or the impact of trauma on victims. 
  • Consultant: Forensic psychologists can work as consultants to law enforcement agencies, government organizations, or private businesses. They may provide advice on a variety of topics related to crime and psychology, such as security risk assessment, employee selection, or crisis management. 

The job prospects for forensic psychologists in India are growing. The field of forensic psychology is growing rapidly, and there is a demand for qualified forensic psychologists in both the public and private sectors. Other options for a forensic psychologist are: 

  • Correctional facilities: Forensic psychologists may be hired by correctional facilities to assess the mental health of inmates and to develop treatment programs. 
  • Private businesses: Forensic psychologists may be hired by private businesses to conduct security risk assessments, employee selection, or crisis management. 
  • Non-profit organizations: Forensic psychologists may be hired by non-profit organizations, such as victim advocacy groups and mental health organizations, to provide services to victims of crime and their families. 
  • Government agencies: Forensic psychologists may be hired by government agencies, such as the FBI, the CIA, and the Department of Defense, to conduct research on topics related to crime and psychology. 

Government organizations that hire forensic psychologists in India: 

  • National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Sciences (NICFS): The NICFS is a government organization that conducts research and training in the field of criminology and forensic science. They hire forensic psychologists to conduct research on a variety of topics related to crime and psychology. 
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI): The CBI is the premier investigating agency of India. They hire forensic psychologists to assess the mental state of criminal suspects and victims and to provide expert testimony in court cases. 
  • National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The NHRC is an independent statutory body that investigates human rights violations in India. They hire forensic psychologists to assess the psychological impact of human rights violations on victims. 
  • State Governments: State governments in India also hire forensic psychologists to work in a variety of settings, such as prisons, mental health facilities, and law enforcement agencies. 

– Urveez Kakalia and Sakshi Merai. 

 References: 

Louw, D. (2001). Forensic psychology. In Elsevier eBooks (pp. 5745–5750). https://doi.org/10.1016/b0-08-043076-7/01387-5

Bradley, G. (2023, July 11). What Is Forensic Psychology? [How To Become A Forensic Psychologist]. Psychology.org | Psychology’s Comprehensive Online Resource.
National Forensic Sciences University.