Difference Between Criminal Psychology & Forensic Psychology

Criminal psychology & forensic psychology play integral roles in law enforcement and the court system. However, each serves in unique capacities. Criminal psychology is primarily used to determine the criminal's reasons for committing a crime; forensic psychology analyzes the effect of the crime on victims and the mental condition of the offender.

Criminal Actions

Criminal psychology studies criminals' thoughts, intentions and reactions to the crimes they've committed.

Profiling

Criminal psychology helps police investigators create profiles, or character sketches, of a potential criminal in order to narrow down the search for the offender.

In Court

Criminal psychologists, when called as witnesses in courtrooms, help jurors understand the criminal mind in order to make a reasonable decision.

Criminal Competency

Forensic psychology, unlike criminal psychology, examines defendants based on their mental state of mind during the commission of the act to determine whether or not they are stable enough to stand trial.

Psychological Services

Forensic psychologists assist victims dealing with psychological conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

Offender Counseling

Forensic psychology evaluates whether or not individuals, such as violent or sexual offenders, are ready to be reintroduced into society.

Family Court

Forensic psychology works with family court to determine visitation rights and provide counseling for families and children of divorce.

Resources

• Society for Police and Criminal Psychology
• All About Forensic Psychology