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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue


February 07, 2007

February 2007

A very warm welcome to the February edition of the All About Forensic
Psychology Newsletter. A belated Happy New Year to you all; the holiday
season seems a long time ago now but I hope you all had a great one.

All the forensic psychology newsletters contain graphics that most of you will
be able to see, along with links that you can access should you wish to do so.

If you can only see text, this means that your e-mail software cannot read
HTML (this just means that the newsletter cannot be read as if it were a web
page). You'll still get all the content, although it won't be as easy on the eye,
for instance you'll see a series of code where the graphic would be.

In This Months Edition

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

● The Psychology of A Serial Killer


● New Forensic Science Website Update
● Professor Christopher Cronin's Expert Article
● Resource Central
● And Finally

The Psychology of A Serial Killer

The biggest story to break at the end of last year, particularly within the UK
was the Suffolk serial killer case. The case related to the murder of five
prostitutes. The bodies of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and and Anneli Alderton,
were all found in rural locations around Ipswich in Suffolk between the 2nd
and the 10th of December. On the 12th of December two more bodies were
found which were later identified as the missing prostitutes Paula Clennell and
Annette Nicholls.

What was unprecedented about this case was the speed at which events
unfolded. A local television station reporting on the Suffolk murders
interviewed one of the victims Paula Clennell in the week before she
disappeared. In the course of just three weeks, the story broke, further
murders were committed and Stephen Wright was arrested and formally

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

charged with murdering all five victims.

During this period a number of criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists


and other behavioural scientists began commenting on the case.

I followed the events on my forensic psychology blog and made a total of 6


posts between the 13th and the 22nd December and it was only when I went
back and read them in order that I realised just how unique this case was. If
you would like to read the blog posts, the following link will take you to the
first post made on the 13th December. Once there, you can access the
subsequent posts in date order From the left hand side of the page.

Click Here To Read The First Post

New Forensic Science Website Update

The All About Forensic Science Website was launched on the 10th January and
has grown considerably over the last few weeks. Highlights include:

A dedicated forensic science blog.

Click Here To See The Forensic Science Blog

A forensic science notice board page used to post details of Forensic Science
Job vacancies, Forensic Science Internships, New Forensic Science Degree
Programs etc.

Click Here To See The Forensic Science Notice Board

A free resources page showcasing the very best forensic science and
eductional resources available over the Internet.

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Click Here To See The Forensic Science Resources Page

Work currently in progress includes a DNA page, a forensic pathology page


and a forensic toxicology page. Another item we hope to feature shortly is the
diary of a forensic scientist which will document the day-to-day working life of
a real forensic investigator.

Expert Article

Christopher Cronin received his BS in psychology at the


University of Wisconsin, Madison and his MA and PhD in
clinical psychology at the University of Delaware.

He completed his internship at the University of California,


Davis in the Department of Psychiatry at the University
Medical Center in Sacramento; and completed a Post-
doctoral certificate in Clinical Psychopharmacology at
Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Dr. Cronin is a licensed clinical psychologist who has held academic positions
in Europe (University of Maryland, Munich Campus), Australia (Flinders
University of South Australia) and the United States (Transylvania University
and Saint Leo University).

He has practiced forensic psychology since 1991 conducting competency to


stand trial evaluations and criminal responsibility evaluations for the
Commonwealth of Kentucky.

He is Professor and Director of Graduate Training at Saint Leo University in


Florida and has conducted over 1800 court-ordered forensic evaluations in the
Tampa Bay area.

For this edition of the newsletter Dr. Cronin addresses the issue of forensic
degrees. Within this must read article, the frequently asked question as to
what degree is best for employment within forensic psychology is tackled.

The Study & Practice of Forensic Psychology: A Comprehensive Review.

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

Students frequently asked what degree is best for employment in the field of
forensic psychology. The answer to this question depends on how one defines
forensic psychology along with an individual’s career goals. Although the type
of degree is important with regards to obtaining a licensed to practice
psychology, it is equally important to develop the specific skills needed to
function as a forensic psychologist.

Defining Forensic Psychology

Some authors use a very broad definition for forensic psychology, stating that
it encompasses anything that has to do with psychology and the legal system.
Others define forensic psychology within a more applied context. In 2001, the
American Psychological Association formally recognized forensic psychology as
a specialty within the profession. In the “Petition for the Recognition of a
Specialty in Professional Psychology,” forensic psychology is defined as the
“professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology,
counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and school psychology, when they
are engaged regularly as experts and represent themselves as such, in an
activity primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise to
the judicial system” (Heilbrun, 2000, p.6). This narrow definition adopted by
the American Psychological Association views forensic psychology as a
specialty within the applied areas of psychology and is the definition used in
this article.

A student planning to practice forensic psychology will need to earn a degree


that leads to licensure. Generally speaking, a doctorate in either clinical or
counseling psychology is required to be a licensed psychologist. The majority
of psychologists who provide forensic services have their degree in clinical
psychology. Approximately 85% of the membership of the American
Psychology-Law society identifies themselves as clinicians. The specialty
designation by the APA indicates that the field has developed a substantial
body of professional literature and specialized knowledge that distinguishes
forensic psychology from other specialties. The Commission for the
Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology defines
the specialized knowledge in forensic psychology as follows:

Specialized knowledge in forensic psychology is important in three areas.


These are as follows: (1) clinical (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, psychological
testing, prediction and intervention measurement, epidemiology of mental
disorders, ethics), (2) forensic (e.g., response style, forensic ethics, tools and
techniques for assessing symptoms and capacities relevant to legal questions)
and (3) legal (e.g., knowledge of law and the legal system, knowledge of
where and how to obtain relevant legal information).

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(http://www.apa.org/crsppp/archivforensic.html, 2004).

This set of skills is consistent with the APA’s definition of forensic psychology
and places the emphasis on the development of solid clinical skills. Although it
is necessary to have specialized training in areas of law and forensic
psychology, these competencies have traditionally come after the development
of clinical expertise. Therefore, anyone wishing to pursue a career in forensic
psychology should first develop strong clinical skills in assessment,
understanding psychopathology, report writing, diagnostic interviewing, and
case presentation.

Doctoral Degrees

To practice psychology in the United States or Canada, an individual needs to


be licensed by their state or provincial board. The American Psychological
Association recommends that individuals be eligible to sit for licensure upon
completion of the following education and training:

(1) A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited or Canadian


Psychological Association (CPA) -accredited university.

(2) The equivalent of two years of organized, sequential, supervised


professional experience, one year of which is an APA- or CPA-accredited
predoctoral internship.

Thus, in order to practice professional psychology, the student needs to obtain


a Ph.D. or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree. Although the above
recommendations are not binding in all states, many states have adopted the
APA recommendations and require licensure candidates to have their degrees
awarded from an APA-accredited program. The APA does not accredit all
institutions of higher education that offer the doctoral degree in clinical or
counseling psychology. A student receiving the doctorate from a program not
accredited by the APA may find that they cannot be licensed in various states
or provinces. Accreditation by the APA is different than accreditation by the
regional education-accrediting agency. The last newsletter contained an article
detailing accreditation procedures for institutions of higher education in the
United States. The APA publishes a list of APA-accredited institutions on the
APA web site (www.apa.org). The Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards (ASPPB) publishes information on each state’s licensing
requirements.

Students also wonder whether they should pursue a degree in clinical or


counseling psychology. The difference between degrees in clinical psychology
versus counseling psychology was traditionally one of focus. The distinction

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between clinical and counseling psychology has gradually become blurred over
the past two decades. Clinical psychologists are trained to diagnose and treat
individuals with serious mental illness such as major depression and anxiety
disorders. Counseling psychologists receive much of the same training as
clinical psychologists. Counseling psychologists are generally train to work with
individuals who are struggling with adjustment issues in life, such as moving
away from home, transitioning through a divorce, or adjusting to a new
location. However, the distinction is not as great as it was in the past and
there is now a great deal of overlap in populations served by the two
specialties.

Another type of doctoral degree in clinical psychology is the Psy.D., signifying


the Doctor of Psychology degree. The original intent of the Psy.D. degree was
to distinguish between the scientist, academic psychologist (Ph.D.) and the
practitioner, or professional psychologist (Psy.D.). The focus of training for a
Psy.D. is on clinical service as opposed to research and teaching. The major
differences between the two degrees in clinical psychology are training
opportunities and training focus. Students are encouraged to discuss with their
advisors the benefits and tradeoffs associated with both degree types before
making decisions that will have consequences that carry well into one’s career.

Generally speaking, a Ph.D. degree provides slightly more flexibility with


regards to job opportunities. Although a Ph.D. and Psy.D degree in clinical
psychology would be interchangeable for clinical positions, some universities
may be slightly reluctant to hire a Psy.D. to serve on the faculty. A number of
graduate programs have developed course work and supervision opportunities
for individuals wishing to pursue specialized work in forensic psychology. A
relatively small number of graduate programs offer formal training in
exclusively forensic psychology. Even though these programs exist, some
practitioners have questioned the long-term viability and advisability of such
specialized degrees. It appears that a specialized degree in forensic
psychology may limit an individual’s professional options more so than a
general degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Rather than a specialized
degree, it may be advisable to obtain a doctoral degree in clinical or
counseling psychology with specialized course work, supervised clinical
experiences, and continuing education in forensic psychology. Another
strategy is to complete a generalist degree in clinical or counseling psychology
and pursue a forensic specialization, either through course work, continuing
education or a certificate in forensic psychology.

Individuals can also pursue post-doctoral training in forensic psychology. This


typically requires a year of specialized training with intensive supervision and
additional formal coursework in forensic psychology. Currently, there are only
11 identified postdoctoral programs in forensic psychology and these programs
accept only one or two applicants a year. With so few postdoctoral training
opportunities, it seems unlikely that this will become the requisite for practice

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in the specialty.

Practicing Forensic Psychology at the Master’s Level

Although many states allow licensure at the master’s level, these mental
health professionals may not use the title of psychologist. This title is
regulated by all the states and can only be used by individuals with a
doctorate. The one exception is a school psychologist, who is usually
credentialed at the master’s level.

A master’s degree in psychology requires one to two years of school after the
bachelor’s degree. Although an individual with a master’s degree cannot
present himself or herself as a psychologist, they may be able to practice in
various states under the title of licensed professional counselor, licensed
mental health counselor, or other such titles. Thus, a master’s degree in
counseling or clinical psychology may allow one to practice independently,
depending on the jurisdiction. The master’s degree could then open the door
to working in the specialty of forensic psychology.

Working at the master’s level in forensic psychology usually entails providing


mental health services within correctional or police settings. Master’s level
counselors may lead psychoeducational groups in correctional facilities or for
individuals serving probation in the community. The focus of treatment can
involve anger management, domestic violence, parenting skills, substance
abuse and relapse prevention, sex offender treatment, or the development of
problem solving skills, to name just a few. Depending on the jurisdiction,
individuals with a master’s degree may conduct court-ordered psychological
and mental health assessments. When deciding to pursue a master’s degree in
psychology, it is important to understand the laws of the state in which you
plan to practice. It is just as important to keep in mind that state laws can
evolve rapidly and it is best to stay abreast of any changes in licensing
requirements.

In addition to the necessary educational and internship requirements to


practice as a forensic psychologist, other skills can be of particular benefit.
Most forensic psychologists are involved in some form of psychological
assessment. These assessments may address a wide range of issues before
the court such as competency evaluations, criminal responsibility evaluations
(insanity plea), child custody evaluations, psychological trauma evaluations,
sex offender risk, dangerousness, sexual abuse, accuracy of children’s
testimony, disability evaluations, civil commitment, psychological autopsy, etc.

It is important for the forensic psychologist to have excellent assessment


skills. This includes strong statistical skills to understand the psychometric
properties of the instruments being used, training and supervision in using

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psychological tests, and strong writing skills to produce understandable


psychological reports for the court. Additionally, psychologists who testify in
court should develop their oral presentation skills along with having a well-
groomed social presence.

Students interested in careers in forensic work can consult the American


Psychology – Law Society web site for information on careers, graduate
programs, and job listings (http://www.ap-ls.org/students/careersIndex.html).

Students interested in pursuing a career in forensic psychology are


encouraged to become student affiliates of the APA and to join Division 41.
The Careers and Training Committee of the American Psychology- Law Society
also publishes a booklet titled, Careers in Psychology and the Law: A Guide for
Prospective Students. Another book, Your Career in Psychology: Psychology
and the Law (Kuther, 2004) also provides career information for students
interested in psychology and law.

References

Heilbrun, K.S. (2000, July 20). Petition for the recognition of a specialty in
professional psychology. Submitted on behalf of the American Board of
Forensic Psychology and the American Psychology-Law Society to the
American Psychological Association.

Kuther, T. L. (2004). Your career in psychology: Psychology and law. Canada:


Wadsworth.

Professor Christopher Cronin is the author of the book


Forensic Psychology.

The emphasis of the book is to help students understand


the practice of forensic psychology. It also serves to outline
the career opportunities in this rapidly evolving specialty.

Included are several chapters on the area of legal


psychology.

Areas covered in forensic psychology include a chapter on the ethics of


psychology and law, an extensive chapter on assessment in forensic practice,
criminal responsibility and competency evaluations, child custody evaluations,
police psychology, correctional psychology, and evaluations of psychological
injury.

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Areas covered in the specialty of legal psychology include trial consultation,


criminal investigative psychology (detection of deception, criminal profiling,
psychological autopsies and use of hypnosis) and eyewitness memory and
recovered memories.

A final chapter identifies emerging trends in the area of forensic psychology.

For more information, visit the forensic psychology books page.

The Forensic Psychology Books Page

Resource Central

All About Forensic Psychology Website:

Visit The All About Forensic Psychology Homepage

Quality Links:

Visit The Quality Links Page

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

Forensic Psychology MySpace:

My Forensic Psychology MySpace Page

Degree Directories:

USA Forensic Psychology Degree Directory

UK Forensic Psychology Degree Directory

Online Criminal Justice Course Directory

Crime Scene Investigation Degree, Training Course & Certificate Information

USA Forensic Science College & Course Directory

Forensic Psychology Toolbar:

The Forensic Psychology Toolbar

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Forensic Psychology Search Engine:

The Forensic Psychology Search Engine

Forensic Psychology Blog:

The Forensic Psychology Blog

Forensic Psychology Forum:

The Forensic Psychology Forum

Unfortunately because of the amount of SPAM that was being added to the
board registered users can no longer post directly.

If you would like to make a post, you can still do so through the link provided

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

on the board and I will add all the appropriate messages as soon as possible.

Forensic Psychology Store:

The Forensic Psychology Store

And Finally

I really hope that you have enjoyed reading the February edition of the All
About Forensic Psychology newsletter. If you think your friends might be
interested in taking a look, please feel free to forward it to them.

If you're reading this on the recommendation of a friend and would like to


receive all the future editions, you can subscribe for free via the following link.

Subscribe For Free

If you would like to contact me about anything to do with the wonderful world
of forensic psychology, you can do so via the following link.

Contact Me

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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007 Issue

Hopefully the next edition of the newsletter will be sent out in the next month
or so.

Until then, wishing you and your family all the very best.

Dave Webb BSc (hons), MSc

Back to Back Issues Page

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