...Criminal Profiling: The Public Face of Forensic Psychology Jason Evans Brandman University Table of contents Abstract 3 Introduction 4 Literature review 4 Discussion 7 Personal interest in the topic 10 References 11 Abstract The utilisation of psychological concepts has been extended in many fields in seeking to enhance understanding of human behaviours. Forensic psychology is one of the various psychological filed which have developed out of the necessity to apply psychology in different fields. This article discusses the element of forensic psychology in relation to the various issues arising within the field. A discussion of the various issues highlights ethical aspects as the main causes of many challenges faced in the field. The complexity of the setting under which the psychological practice is conducted makes the topic become one of the interesting psychological segments that can be studied. Introduction Forensic psychology can be defined as the utilisation of psychological concepts, skills, and insights in seeking to enhance the understanding of various elements of legal and criminal justice systems. Within the context of the subject various psychological and legal aspects become combined in seeking to understand the functioning and operations of criminal systems (Davies & Beech, 2012). This approach to criminal justice involves various activities involved in the delivery of justice, ranging from the enforcement to treatment of suspects...
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...Legal and Forensic Psychology Michael Betters Keiser University Legal and Forensic Psychology Abstract Legal and forensic psychologists are often torn between fulfilling their duties as a legal and forensic workers in the criminal justice system, and adhering to the ethical obligations to their clients as psychologists. This paper explores the dilemma faced by legal and forensic psychologists in carrying out their day-to-day roles as officials in the criminal justice system and in upholding their professional ethics as psychologists. The paper begins with an introduction of the main controversy surrounding the role of legal and forensic psychologists to the criminal justice systems (Day, 2014). It then describes some of the typical dilemmas faced by legal and forensic psychologists in the course of their work. The paper concludes with a discussion on the implications of the dilemmas faced by legal and forensic psychologists in the criminal justice system. Introduction Legal and forensic psychologists are a special type of psychologists who are often charged with the responsibility of standing as expert witnesses in court proceedings. The duties, roles, and responsibilities of legal and forensic psychologists in legal matters are strikingly different from those of an ordinary psychologist. It is paramount for legal and forensic psychologists to recognize the obligations as well as the limitations of their obligations when appearing as witnesses in court proceedings...
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...Forensic Science in the 21st Century By: Crystal Lyle AJS/584 - FORENSIC SCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILING STEVEN HOENIG 2-29-16 This paper will examine my perception and concept of forensic science in the 21st century. It will also examine the importance of forensic science to policing criminal investigation court process, and the efforts of various levels in security. In addition to analyzing the importance of forensic science, I will give a historical approach. I will discuss the accuracy of the media representation of forensic science and how issues. Lastly, I will discuss the influence the CSI effect have on the judicial process. Forensic Science is the application of science to criminal and civil laws that are enforced by law enforcement agencies in a criminal justice system. Another definition of forensic science is principles and techniques to matters of criminal justice, especially as it relates to the collection, examination, and analysis of physical evidence. In 1929, a Los Angeles police department establish the first American forensic lab. Forensic science has been around over 300 years or more and it continues to improve and emerge today as science and technical knowledge find more improved and accurate techniques. Forensic science has come to be a critical instrument in allowing guilt or demonstrating innocence in the system of criminal justice. In the late 80’s (DNA), society was accepting of (DNA) and forensic science continues to develop and unfold...
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...Forensic Science in the 21st Century AJS/592 Aug 2012 Forensic Science in the 21st Century Forensic science is regarded as an essential component in the resolution of crimes and law enforcement. Collecting and deciphering evidence properly and preserving crime scenes are two of the most important elements in crime-solving. Consequently, technological advances are relevant to the limited and challenging forensic science field. Also, it is a field wherein technical aptitude is attained only by the amalgamation of various dynamics. For example, supervision, continuing education, proficiency, training, experience, coupled with appreciativeness of scientific protocols and methods proposed against a setting of harsh professional beliefs. This submission delves into forensic science’s contributions to policing and criminal investigations, court processes, and security efforts. Also it explores the media’s representation of forensic science, influence on popular opinion for justice-related issues, and “CSI” effect on the judicial process. Forensic Science Contributions to Policing and Criminal Investigations The geneses of criminalistics or forensic science are mainly European. Forensic science is an amalgamation of various disciplines, such as chemistry, mathematics, geology, physics, and biology to examine physical evidence associated with crime. Previously, the employment of forensic...
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...Forensic Pathology and Miscarriages of Justice: a Journal Article Analysis Merlyn Arostegui Prof. Sigal CRJU 443 | Forensic Pathology and Miscarriages of Justice: a Journal Article Analysis The article chosen for analysis is titled “Forensic Pathology and the Miscarriage of Justice” written by Michael S. Pollanen of the Centre of Forensic Science and Medicine, University of Toronto in Toronto, Canada. The article was published in Forensic, Science, Medicine, and Pathology in 2012. The main purpose of the article was to present the fact that in order for the criminal justice system to operate in a safe and fair manner, any evidence presented in the duration of a prosecution must be accurate and objective—especially medical evidence. If either the accuracy or objectivity of evidence presented is compromised, there lies the possibility of unsafe prosecution which can lead to wrongful convictions or other forms of miscarriages of justice. Main Purpose There has been an increased awareness in the number of cases that have experienced a miscarriage of justice due to compromised medical evidence being presented during trial. Although there are legal tools available to regulate the types of evidence admissible in court as well as the “experts” allowed to present said evidence [such as Daubert hearings], these tools are only partially effective because forensic pathology is a discipline that grows and develops over time. The accepted view in pathology [or any field of science...
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...I would really enjoy having a forensic scientist come to our class and speak about their career field, the level of education you need to pursue a career in criminal justice, the duties that they perform day to day, and all of the details to inform us on what to expect in the criminal justice system. I would prefer a forensic scientist from the criminal justice program because I feel that they play in an important part in an investigation. I also prefer that choice because, a forensic scientist might be able to get the students interested about the criminal justice, even if they do not necessarily want to be a forensic scientist. Having a forensic scientist come and speak to us would be informational, but also open up the student’s eyes to...
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...Welcome to Homicide Forensic Science is a fundamental component of the justice system. Forensic scientists use scientific techniques and knowledge to assist law enforcement in investigations and solving crimes. They collect and analyze numerous types of evidence, including blood, body fluids; DNA; and human tissue. Forensic scientists assist the decision makers by showing the prosecutor if the issue has merit before it reaches the courtroom thereby reducing the number of cases having to be heard. Their decisions are based on scientific investigations and not circumstantial evidence or unreliable witnesses. Forensic scientists can restore faith in the judicial system with the use of science and technology for facts in criminal and civil investigations. The legal system is established on the belief that the legal process results in justice for all. History of forensic science The history of Forensic science or the applying of scientific principles to legal questions has a lengthy and interesting history. The first recorded autopsy was reported in 44 B.C was on Julius Caesar, where the Roman physician, Antistius proclaimed that he had 23 wounds on his body but only one was fatal. In 1248, a Chinese book entitled “His Duan Yu” (meaning The Washing Away of Wrongs) explaining how to tell apart a drowning from a strangulation. This was also the first recorded use of medicine to assist in solving crimes. In 1590, the first microscope was developed. In 1775, Karl...
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... What is adversarialism? The adversarial system is the two-sided structure under which criminal trial courts in the UK operate. There are four prominent structural features of the English adversarial system. Firstly, the parties dominate the conduct of proceedings with the judge playing a relatively passive role. Secondly, the parties are free to choose the terrain on which to fight out their legal battles and to select their forensic weapons. Thirdly, Trials are continuous, oral and public events. Fourthly, the imbalance of power between the state and the accused is ameliorated by rules and principles reducing inequality of arms. High level definitions or at least descriptions of the adversarial system abound such as that of Lord Denning in Jones v The National Coal Board.They are all to the effect that the judge is a passive and neutral umpire who cannot descend into the arena for fear of having his or her judgement clouded. The adversarial system is said to be the most efficient means of arriving at approximate truth because it harnesses the power of self-interest on each side to unearth the best evidence. Similarly the best legal arguments are thought to emerge from the clash of advocate’s submission on the law. A classic quotation is that of Lord Eldon in Ex Parte Lloyd that ‘truth is best discovered by powerful statements on both sides of the question.’ This follows from the notion that dispute resolution ‘achieving justice’ is the overriding objective of adversarial...
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...Health Psychology paper Dianna Norris HCA 250 July 19, 2013 Axia College Of University Phoenix Health Psychology Paper Forensic psychology has always been a fascination for me. Forensic psychology is psychological for the criminal justice system. The fascination for me was how the forensic psychologist is able to detect criminal tendencies. The psychological approach is the way the evidence could lead to certain criminal behavior. [ (psychology school guide, 2012) ]For criminal psychologists they have to look at all angles of a way a person commits a crime. The FBI has a behavior science unit and they help with the understanding of criminals and terrorists [ (Portland State University Careers in Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2012) ]. This unit has three other counterparts and they all play a very important part of the FBI, they are the crime analysts, criminologists and clinical psychologists. This is an example of how psychology and criminal justice can overlap. There are many different types of agrees and certifications as well as many paths that can be taken in forensic psychology(psychology school guide, 2012) [ (psychology school guide, 2012) ] . Example: Forensic psychology requires either a Bachelors or Masters Degree. I have thought of this degree ever since I was eleven years old. Family situations quashed me going back to school at that time. At the time I was thinking about this career choice on-line classes were not offered. I would have applied...
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...The Evolution of Criminal Justice Technology Rakeisha Hudson Kaplan University Abstract The Evolution the job is exacting. The police are asked to control crime, maintain order, and provide an intricate array of services, from responding to emergency 911 calls to regulating the flow of traffic. On occasion, they must perform remarkable feats of criminal investigation, quell rowdy crowds and violent offenders, and put their lives on the line. Much of the time, police resources are limited. It is estimated that the workload crime imposes on the police has increased fivefold since 1960. Their resources have not kept pace with their workload. To do their job, police frequently have looked to technology for enhancing their effectiveness. The police, with crime laboratories and radio networks, made early use of technology, but most police departments could have been equipped 30 or 40 years ago as well as they are today. The Crime Commission in response to rapidly rising crime rates and urban disorders. The Commission advocated federal government funding for state and local criminal agencies to support their efforts. It called for what soon became the 911 system for fielding emergency calls and recommended that agencies acquire computers to automate their functions. But even with the start-up help of hundreds of millions of dollars in early federal assistance, computerization came slowly. Only in recent years have...
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...[The Criminal Justice System & how forensics plays its part] | | Criminal justice is the system of catching, prosecuting (charging), and sentencing a criminal based on their criminal doing. Within this system there are many areas that work close to bring criminals to justice, but one specific area places a bigger role. That role would be of a forensics examiner also known as a forensic science technician but mainly recognized as a crime scene investigator. Their job is to analyze physical evidence and provide scientific conclusions for the justice system. According to Education-Portal.com (2003-2012) they provide analytical assistance and expert opinions used during law enforcement investigations, criminal court cases, civilian court cases and regulatory proceedings. Ever since my junior year in high school I have been very interested in what crime scene investigators do. Inspired by the forensics class I took I learned that although their job takes a lot of patience and thinking, it would seem like the perfect job for me. Not knowing everything about this area, entering college allowed me to broaden my horizons. My major was Forensic Science but is now and remains Criminal Justice as I decided to branch out with a minor in Computer Forensics. Continuing to get more familiar with my minor I learned that within forensics there are technicians that work specifically with guns. This area is called ballistics; the scientific study of the characteristics of projectiles, such...
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...A forensic pathologist (which is known to most people as a medical examiner), is heavily involved in the criminal justice system and medical system. The medical examiner's main job is to conduct an autopsy on the victim of any unnatural form of death. Their primary task in potential criminal cases is to find the cause of death and confirm if it was homicidal, suicidal, or an accident. The cause of death is what police investigators use as their lead to track down potential suspects. Some work in local parts of government, hospitals, medicals schools, and in private practice which would contract their service to other government agencies. They perform autopsies, write out autopsy reports, look over victim's medical records, and interview the victim's next of kin. They also have to be trained in the legal system and to be able to testify in court cases involving death or injury (“Forensic Pathology,” 2009). Most forensic pathologist start as a resident, then after residency they awarded the title medical examiner. They can continue working to deputy chief medical examiner and the top position chief medical examiner. It takes between 13 to 15 years of education to become a forensic pathologist. This includes your bachelor degree and medical course requirements, followed by four years of medical school, and four years practicing forensic pathology as a resident. Once all of this is completed, you are required to accomplish a one year fellowship. The last and final step to be a certified...
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...What is Forensic Social Work? This paper explores the many facets social work provides in collaboration with the criminal justice system escaping widespread notice as well as the roles played in the judicial court systems. This paper takes a look at the point and the many purposes of forensic social work. Covering their role in multidisciplinary mitigation teams and collaboration between social workers and lawyers in criminal defense also the type service social work practitioners provide to inmate populations; the active involvement in an inmate’s daily life both during their sentence as well as the service and assistance a forensic social worker will be providing following an inmate’s release and reintegration back into society Forensic social work is the application of social work to questions and issues relating to law and legal systems. This specialty of our profession goes far beyond clinics and psychiatric hospitals for criminal defendants being evaluated and treated on issues of competency and responsibility. A broader definition includes social work practice which in any way is related to legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil. Child custody issues, involving separation, divorce, neglect, termination of parental rights, the implications of child and spouse abuse, juvenile and adult justice services, corrections, and mandated treatment all fall under this definition. Forensic social workers are specialized professionals who are able to apply their social...
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...Submit a 3 page paper that 1) explains the difference between litigating an embezzlement case in civil court and criminal court, and 2) discuss the role of an expert witness/fraud examiner in each proceeding. There are two major factions of the United States court system: civil cases and criminal cases. Both take place in courtrooms all across the country, but there are several differences that separate the two as well as the role of fraud examiner in each proceeding. The major difference of the two in an embezzlement case is: 1) In a criminal court case, the opposing parties are the prosecutor, often the Assistant District Attorney, and the defendant, represented by a trial lawyer. In a civil court case, however, the opposing parties are the plaintiff and the defendant, both of whom are typically represented by attorneys. 2) In a criminal court case, the prosecutor must establish the guilt of the defendant, but in a civil court case, the plaintiff must only establish the liability of the defendant. In the former, the defendant is either guilty or not guilty of a crime, while in the latter, the defendant is either liable or not liable for monetary damages suffered by the plaintiff. For example, in a criminal court case, the defendant can be found guilty of money laundry his money, while in a civil court case, the defendant can be found liable for stealing someone’s car. In civil court cases, the plaintiff must only win by a preponderance of evidence, which means that the defendant...
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...Post-Conviction DNA Policy in Criminal Investigations In most legal systems around the world, the courts have convicted many innocent people due to their legal procedure and laws. Wrongful conviction refers to a miscarriage of justice by convicting or punishing individuals for crimes they did not commit. Similarly, the application of the term may be useful in another direction; civil cases and errors of impunity. Many criminal justice systems have set ways to quash or overturn, a wrongful conviction. However, it is difficult for the criminal justice systems to overturn the decisions of wrongful convictions. In certain instances, overturning a wrongful conviction may take several years, or until the courts have already convicted the innocent person or the person has died. This paper examines the causes of wrongful convictions and focuses on the DNA exoneration policy. Causes of Wrongful Convictions The first clinic to work on non-DNA exonerations was the Michigan Innocence Clinic. It revealed particular circumstances that people have always deemed as the wrongful conviction. The scenarios reveal that the criminal justice needs amendments and change how the Michigan Innocence clinic should deal with the system’s trends. The following are among the causes of wrongful convictions: Eyewitness Misidentification: sometimes the eyewitnesses could misidentify a person and cause wrongful conviction on the...
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