Question

Explain the difference between civil and criminal work in forensic psychology.

Describe the role of psychologists in civil court, and then describe the role they play in criminal court. What similarities and differences do you see in these roles?

Answer 1

Forensic Psychology is the application of psychological concepts to dealing with legal issues which may include civil or criminal cases.

Criminal Psychology deals with

1. treatment of criminals in a correctional facility

2. Assesing for criminal responsibility

3. Assesments for Malingering when a prisoner develops mental illness

4. Assesment of risk of violence in an individual

5. fitness to stand trial etc

Civil Forensic psychology deals with :

1. Divorce cases where mental illness may be a groud for divorce

2. child custody and adoption related issues.

3. Injury assesments

4. Psychological autopsies

5. Disability evaluations and certification etc

Criminal Psychology exclusively deals with application of Psychology concepts to criminal behaviour where as Civil forensic Psychology may be seen as an overlap of the two.

Both the fields require detailed and thorough assesment on people involved in the legal system.