Psychologists Role in Law Enforcement
Jacquelyn R
Psychologist's Role in Homicide Investigations Unit 7
April 20, 2012
Scenario
As a police psychologist, you are part of an investigation into the homicide of a high profile community member, the mayor. The information you received from the department is that the victim was found with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was last seen with another notable figure (who?) at a nearby restaurant. You learn that before becoming the mayor, the deceased was the chief of your department and was very close to many administrators and officers.
Introduction
Police psychologists assisting with high profile homicide investigations provide valuable knowledge and abilities that assist in interpreting the psychological clues surrounding the victim's death, and potentially the identity and motive of the perpetrator, if they have not been apprehended, as in the case above. In the following essay, I will play the role of the psychologist who has been called in to aid in the investigation of the Mayor's murder. I will discuss the various responsibilities within my role during the investigation, what procedures I will use to investigate, and what other assistance I am able to provide to the victim's family as well as the officers and the communitiy as a whole, who are all grieving over the loss of their Mayor.
The Psychologist's Role in the Homicide Investigation
As a licensed psychologist with experience in psycholegal issues, I am able to see from the perspective of both the psychologist and the law enforcement officer. Also, I have been trained to remain sympathetic and empathetic to the plight of others. That ability allows me to get along quite well witnin the department, therefore I am able to assist with many duties throughout the department, including the investigation into the Mayor's murder. Especially in this situation, where not only the Mayor's family will be grieving, but many citizens and officials throughout the
Psychologist's Role in Homicide Investigations Unit 7
April 20, 2012
Scenario
As a police psychologist, you are part of an investigation into the homicide of a high profile community member, the mayor. The information you received from the department is that the victim was found with a single gunshot wound to the head. He was last seen with another notable figure (who?) at a nearby restaurant. You learn that before becoming the mayor, the deceased was the chief of your department and was very close to many administrators and officers.
Introduction
Police psychologists assisting with high profile homicide investigations provide valuable knowledge and abilities that assist in interpreting the psychological clues surrounding the victim's death, and potentially the identity and motive of the perpetrator, if they have not been apprehended, as in the case above. In the following essay, I will play the role of the psychologist who has been called in to aid in the investigation of the Mayor's murder. I will discuss the various responsibilities within my role during the investigation, what procedures I will use to investigate, and what other assistance I am able to provide to the victim's family as well as the officers and the communitiy as a whole, who are all grieving over the loss of their Mayor.
The Psychologist's Role in the Homicide Investigation
As a licensed psychologist with experience in psycholegal issues, I am able to see from the perspective of both the psychologist and the law enforcement officer. Also, I have been trained to remain sympathetic and empathetic to the plight of others. That ability allows me to get along quite well witnin the department, therefore I am able to assist with many duties throughout the department, including the investigation into the Mayor's murder. Especially in this situation, where not only the Mayor's family will be grieving, but many citizens and officials throughout the
References: Cantor, David, Investigative Psychology; retrieved online from http://www.forenspsych.co.uk/ Kurke, M. & Scrivner, E. (1995). Police Psychology Into the 21st Century. Psychology Press, New York, NY. Ramsland, Katherine. Psychological Autopsy for Death Investigation; What is an Equivocal Death? Retrieved online from http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/psych_autopsy/index.html Zelig, Mark, Homicide and Profiling; retrieved online from http://markzelig.com/wp/?page_id=38