FORENSIC PYSCHOLOGY

Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology

Introduction

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) remains a controversy in the field of psychology. Allegedly, there are psychologists who do not take into consideration the seventeen different criteria as they are articulated in the DSM-IV-TR, when they make this diagnosis. Of particular interest is Criterion A, the criterion that briefly outlines what constitutes a traumatic event. Criterion A has two parts that need to be met in order for PTSD to be diagnosed. First, the individual must experience, witnesses, or be confronted with an event or events that involve actual or threatened death or serious injury, or a threat to the physical integrity of self or others. Second, the individual must experience intense fear, helplessness, or horror as a reaction to the event. A number of issues have arisen with this current definition and, because of conflicting beliefs concerning Criterion A, there appears to be a split amongst the psychological community: those who claim that minor events (i.e., exposure to offensive remarks, chronic disease, serious work or relationship problems) could qualify as traumatic events and others who believe that this liberal expansion of the criterion places the credibility of PTSD in danger. The lack of consensus over the DSM-IV-TR criteria, particularly Criterion A, appears to result in different standards of practice when it comes to diagnosis.

Background of Forensic Psychology

Most forensic psychologists are trained in clinical or counseling psychology and receive post doctorate forensic training. More recently, however, graduate programs are offering doctorates in forensic psychology or joint jurist doctorate/clinical psychology doctorates allowing more psychologists to have the opportunity to receive their training specifically in the area of forensic psychology. Sometimes, psychologists are called to court as fact witnesses, meaning a psychologist is retained to provide information on a past or current patient. All psychologists engaging in professional practice are mandated to follow the Ethics Code. Further, those working in the forensic arena are mandated to follow rules of evidence and to aspire to the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology in addition to following the Ethics Code. The evaluations forensic psychologists perform differ from those seen in clinical settings in terms of their purpose, the data sources used, assessment of the examinee's response style, written reports, as well as other ways. This again appears to result in different standards of practice when it comes to evaluations. For these reasons, a standard method to assess PTSD is important to ensure justice as well as the integrity of the field. The opinion of the expert in PTSD-related litigation ultimately requires an integration of scientific knowledge, epidemiological data, actuarial data, and knowledge of the claimant's idiosyncratic characteristics (Ackerman, 1998).

Difference between Forensic Psychology and Clinical Psychology

Forensic psychology involves the application of psychological knowledge and concepts to the judicial system. It has been recognized by the America Psychological Association (APA) as a specialty area of psychology since the year of 2001. In general, forensic psychologists are trained in three areas: clinical, forensic, and legal. Clinically, they train and receive education in psychological diagnosis, ...