Importance of Forensic Psychology in Legal Proceedings
What and why is Forensic Psychology Important in Legal Proceedings?
Beth Velez
Southern New Hampshire University
Justice 101-Introduction to Criminal Justice
Forensic psychology is an important part of the legal system, dating back to 1921. I plan to show in my paper just how forensic psychologists conduct their assessments, the implications on what the assessment and testing shows, and how it can benefit not only the defendant, but society as well. Forensic psychologist can show if a person is faking their mental illness or truly needs further intensive inpatient care versus jail. Forensic psychology can aid the judge, the prosecutor, the defendant, and the jury to ensure the defendant receives the proper sentence if convicted of a crime. There have been several cases in the past 10 years, where forensic psychologist have ensure the defendant received the proper treatment. A perfect example of this is Andrea Yates. Ms. Yates killed all of her five children, by drowning them in the bathtub. Ms. Yates was evaluated by a forensic psychologist and was found to be insane. It is extremely important to ensure the correct assessment for the judge, jury, defense, and prosecutors.
Forensic psychology was previously termed as forensic medicine (Webb, n.d.). The current legal definition of forensic psychology is the practice of psychology in a legal setting (Mauro, 2010). Forensic psychology dates as far back as the 13th century, when the issue of madness and criminal intent stated being debated (Webb, n.d.). In 1603, this debate was still ongoing when Sir Edward Coke suggested that madmen ‘did not know what they did’ and could not be legally charged and convicted as a criminal. The earliest documented case where a psychologist testified in court as an expert witness was in Germany 1896. Albert von Schrenck-Notzing was the expert witness in the appeal of a man charged and convicted of the deaths of three women. Albert von Schrenck-Notzing testified that due to all the
Beth Velez
Southern New Hampshire University
Justice 101-Introduction to Criminal Justice
Forensic psychology is an important part of the legal system, dating back to 1921. I plan to show in my paper just how forensic psychologists conduct their assessments, the implications on what the assessment and testing shows, and how it can benefit not only the defendant, but society as well. Forensic psychologist can show if a person is faking their mental illness or truly needs further intensive inpatient care versus jail. Forensic psychology can aid the judge, the prosecutor, the defendant, and the jury to ensure the defendant receives the proper sentence if convicted of a crime. There have been several cases in the past 10 years, where forensic psychologist have ensure the defendant received the proper treatment. A perfect example of this is Andrea Yates. Ms. Yates killed all of her five children, by drowning them in the bathtub. Ms. Yates was evaluated by a forensic psychologist and was found to be insane. It is extremely important to ensure the correct assessment for the judge, jury, defense, and prosecutors.
Forensic psychology was previously termed as forensic medicine (Webb, n.d.). The current legal definition of forensic psychology is the practice of psychology in a legal setting (Mauro, 2010). Forensic psychology dates as far back as the 13th century, when the issue of madness and criminal intent stated being debated (Webb, n.d.). In 1603, this debate was still ongoing when Sir Edward Coke suggested that madmen ‘did not know what they did’ and could not be legally charged and convicted as a criminal. The earliest documented case where a psychologist testified in court as an expert witness was in Germany 1896. Albert von Schrenck-Notzing was the expert witness in the appeal of a man charged and convicted of the deaths of three women. Albert von Schrenck-Notzing testified that due to all the
References: A. Mauro, M. (2010, June 7). What is Forensic Psychology? | Psychology Today. Retrieved September 15, 2014, from http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/take-all-prisoners/201006/what-is-forensic-psychology B C. American Psychological Association. (2012, December 19). Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychology. Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.apa.org/practice/guidelines/forensic-psychology.aspx D E. Webb, D. (n.d.). The History of Forensic Psychology Part One. Retrieved October 5, 2014, from http://www.all-about-forensic-psychology.com/history-of-forensic-psychology-part-one.html F G. Psychology Educator. (2013, September 4). The History of Forensic Psychology | Psychology Educator. Retrieved October 1, 2014, from http://psychologyeducator.wordpress.com/2013/09/04/the-history-of-forensic-psychology/ H I. Dye, S.Retrieved September 30, 2014, from http://forensicpsych.umwblogs.org/psychology-and-law/court-cases/ J K. Framingham, J. (2011). Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI). Psych Central. Retrieved on October 12, 2014, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/minnesota-multiphasic-personality-inventory-mmpi/0005959 L M. Charlotte Psychological Assessment. (2014). Forensic. Retrieved October 7, 2014, from http://charlottepsychassessment.com/Forensic.html N O. ABA Criminal Justice Section - Criminal Justice Standards; Part I. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2014, from http://www.americanbar.org/publications/criminal_justice_section_archive/crimjust_standards_mentalhealth_blkold.html P Q. Andrea Yates. (n.d.). Retrieved September 19, 2014, from http://www.nndb.com/people/026/000085768/ R