Criminal Psychologist Vs. Forensic Psychologist

As you're exploring possible career niches that align with your interests in both psychology and crime, you come across two career fields in psychology that pique your interest: criminal psychology and forensic psychology. But what's the difference between them?

The two subfields of psychology are often used interchangeably and may sound very similar since they both deal with the use of psychological knowledge, tools, and skills in helping law enforcement solve crimes.

However, they are actually two very distinct approaches to working as a psychologist.

However, admittedly, the roles of professionals in criminal psychology and forensic psychology do overlap in certain areas such as creating offender profiles or the counseling of criminals.

The nutshell version of how they differ is that, even though both subfields deal with the legal system and solving crimes, criminal psychology is more focused on understanding the way criminals think and act.

On the other hand, forensic psychologists focus on investigating and solving crimes through the application of psychological theories and practices.

Let's look at each of these psychological specializations to learn more about the approach each takes in the career world, the education involved, and the various careers that you might pursue with each type of degree.

Forensic Psychology

In our quest to understand the differences between criminal psychology and forensic psychology, let's start with the latter: forensic psychology.

Approach to Psychology

Forensic psychologists apply their advanced professional knowledge and expertise to cases in the legal and judicial systems to help courts in weighing legal decisions.

According to the American Psychological Association, 'The distinctiveness of forensic psychology is its advanced knowledge and skills reflecting the intersection of legal theory, procedures and law with clinical issues, practice and ethics.'

Forensic psychologists have expertise about and generally work with cases regarding people involved in either civil or criminal or delinquency legal proceedings.

They may provide assessments or services to such individuals on behalf of attorneys, the courts, insurance companies, employers, or academic institutions.

One significant goal of many forensic pathologists is to describe and measure an individual's capacities as they relate to legal questions.

Working within psychological standards of ethics, they impartially gather data and report conclusions that ultimately inform legal arguments and judicial decision-making.

Education Needed for a Career in Forensic Psychology

Most forensic psychologists have earned a master's degree in forensic psychology after earning a bachelor's in general psychology or in forensic psychology. Recipients of doctoral degrees in forensic psychology are even more highly respected and earn more money.

Career Possibilities in Forensic Psychology

A handful of highly valued career paths for forensic psychologists include:

Forensic Case Manager

As a social science professional who coordinates psychological treatment plans to help individuals in legal cases resolve their life challenges, these psychologists work closely with law enforcement and the judicial system to:

• evaluate defendants
• recommend treatment plans to address their mental health issues
• provide testimony to judges and juries about a defendant's psychological status

Correctional Counselor

Employed within a correctional facility, forensic psychologists employed as corrections counselors offer treatment, counseling, and support to inmates in both individual and group settings.

They may also assist in developing programs aiming to lower rates of recidivism.

Collaborating with caseworkers, lawyers, and other correctional staff, counselors can provide professional insights into the well-being of inmates as well as recommend parole hearings.

Crime Analyst

Crime analysts work in law enforcement, using their knowledge of data analysis, forensic research, and legal policy to predict, study, and prevent crime.

They may search for patterns in types or styles of crimes committed, create profiles of criminals, and provide other behavioral insights to law enforcement. Crime analysts influence law enforcement procedures and other crime-fighting initiatives.

Jury Consultant

Court systems rely heavily on the skills of jury consultants to work with attorneys to serve as consultants for 'voir dire' (when potential jurors are questioned by both the prosecuting and defense attorneys), helping to guide jury selections.

They also observe the behaviors and body language of jurors during the trial and evaluate witness testimony to help attorneys strategize lines of questioning.

Victim Advocate

In this role, a forensic psychologist provides legal support for crime victims.

This may include:

• explaining the legal process to the victim
• making sure that the victim knows their rights
• providing the victim with emotional support through court proceedings

Victim advocates offer resources, information, and support services to crime victims and survivors of traumatic events. However, they do not legally advise victims about what to do.

Probation Officer

Probation officers assess inmates as possible candidates for probation and/or supervise individuals who have recently been released from correctional facilities on probation.

Their ultimate goal is to reduce recidivism by helping former convicts readjust to new lives in society.

Criminal Psychology

Now that we have an understanding of forensic psychology, which encompasses the broader field, let's look at criminal psychology, which you might consider as a subspecialty within the wider forensics category.

Approach to Psychology

Criminal psychologists are experts regarding the emotions, mindsets, behaviors, and motives of lawbreakers. They are most interested in the 'why' regarding individuals committing crimes or being delinquent.

Criminal psychologists also help law enforcement with the 'who' of crimes by using their expertise to create criminal profiles of offenders based on behavioral evidence in crimes. This role of criminal profiling has become extremely significant for law enforcement officers in their search for 'whodunnit.'

In seeking to understand widespread patterns and trends, many psychologists work with computers to code and search criminal databases to understand types of criminals like internet predators perpetrating online fraud.

In addition, like forensic psychologists, criminal psychologists may assess or treat mental illness in people who have committed crimes.

Education Needed to Become a Criminal Psychologist

If you're interested in the field of criminal psychology, you should first earn a bachelor's degree in psychology, criminology, or criminal justice. An undergraduate degree will open the door to an entry-level job in areas such as corrections, law enforcement, and social work.

However, to become a professional criminal psychologist, you will need a doctoral degree. While you may have trouble finding doctoral degrees specifically in criminal psychology, you can specialize in criminal psychology within a forensic psychology doctoral program.

Another option would be to enroll in a psychology Ph.D. program with a specialization in criminology or criminal justice.

Career Possibilities in Criminal Psychology

Criminal psychologists usually work within the three major areas of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Within the legal system, the work of criminal psychologists generally occurs in four capacities: advisory, experimental, clinical, or actuarial.

Advisory work is when criminal psychologists serve as consultants to attorneys and detectives during legal proceedings, either interviewing victims or recommending treatment methods for offenders.

Criminal psychologists who work in an experimental capacity conduct experiments, such as recreating scenes in controlled environments, to contradict or confirm evidence and witness statements in a crime.

Psychologists assisting in a clinical capacity can assess the mental health of offenders or witnesses to determine if they are fit to stand trial or to understand their motives or behaviors.

Actuarial work involves researching large datasets and doing statistical analyses to advise lawyers in cases.

Criminal psychologists may find positions in many similar environments to those of forensic psychologists, such as crime analysts, case managers in social work, or the corrections field.

However, the specific nature of their jobs may vary based on their advanced expertise in the thought patterns and projected behaviors of criminals.

Learn More About Careers in Psychology and Criminal Justice

These two career niches, whether criminal psychology or forensic psychology, provide a fascinating intersection of psychology and criminal justice.

You can find many other career possibilities within this environment as well, so a college degree in criminology, criminal justice, or psychology can provide you with a strong foundation for a future career and advanced degree.