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Forensic Psychology is not widely practiced.

In some countries, such as Jamaica, forensic psychologists are in high demand, and for this very reason, we hardly see where the mental state of the convicted is assessed effectively.  In my opinion, a criminal justice system is not fully equipped without a forensic psychologist. These professionals are necessary for working in the criminal courts conducting evaluations of mental competency, working with child witnesses, and providing an assessment of juvenile and adult offenders.

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Multiple Relationships

It is described as being in one professional role with a person and another with the same person or a closely related person at the same time or promising to enter into another relationship with a person or a closely related person. If the psychologist is required to serve multiple roles in legal proceedings due to law, institutional policy, or unusual circumstances, they must clarify their role expectations and the extent of confidentiality at the outset and as circumstances change. Furthermore, forensic psychologists must not take on a professional role if they have a conflict of interest that could jeopardize their competency, objectivity, or effectiveness in doing psychological work.

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Informed Consent

The consent of both the person involved and the representing council must be obtained. If the person is legally incapable of providing consent, an attorney must be acquired. The forensic psychologist must inform the individual about the various parameters associated with the anticipated services, such as confidentiality limits. When written consent cannot be obtained, oral consent can be used. In this case, however, the examination intervention must be clearly stated and explained to the individual.

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Confidentiality

A forensic psychologist's primary obligation is to take reasonable precautions to protect the client's confidentiality and to make it clear as to its limits. The disclosure must be made only with the client's or a legally authorized individual's consent; it may also be made without the client's consent if required by law or when the psychologist uses the information for consultation or the client's protection.

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Exploitation

A forensic psychologist must not obtain benefits from those over whom he or she has authority, such as clients, patients, students, supervisees, research participants, and employees, in order to further political or business interests or the best interests of the research participants, students, or employees. This exploitation can take the form of client solicitation, sexual relationships, or frightening individuals into accepting services.

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Avoiding Harm

Although it is uncommon for a psychologist to use their professional expertise to intentionally harm someone, there are times when harm is delivered unintentionally. Before making any recommendations, forensic psychologists must consider the long-term consequences. One example of unintentional harm is when a forensic psychologist is called in to review a criminal's execution. If the perpetrator is found competent to be executed, he will be endangering human life. Many people will argue that if the perpetrator is not found competent to be executed, he is also saving a life.

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Inadequate study and analyzation of criminal behaviour.

Forensic Psychologist fail to properly assess individuals who have been incarcerated. Criminal behaviour is not being studied thoroughly, and this usual results in misdiagnosis of a criminal’s mental state. Behavioral patterns are to be studied in episodes, because a person who is mentally ill will not always show signs of mental illnesses. In many cases Forensic Psychologists aren’t nearly as effective as they should be. Many mental health issues occur only after an individual have been incarcerated, for example traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is highly over looked. Individuals with TBI are usually automatically labeled as just delinquent, not because they suffer from a mental health problem, but because, prematurely, it is assumed that they have a mens rea.

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Bias in analytical procedures

Most laboratories have outlined strict rules to be followed during tests of analysis as well as recording these tests and their results. Laboratories place priority in the implementation of such protocols but, on many occasions such protocols are not followed by the Forensic Psychologist which is highly unethical. It is unethical because Forensic Psychologist are making insufficient or indiscriminate analysis to fit the written law. Sometimes Forensic Psychologists report the results without even thoroughly interviewing a client. Results and conclusions offered by Forensic Psychologist must be explicit and clear.

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Presentation of testimonies in court.

In the courtroom, Forensic Psychologists are faced with many ethical issues while providing their testimonies. Ethical issues surrounding the analytic study of an individual’s mental state and the presentation of testimony in a court as expert witnesses. This may include bias, use of scientific jargons, use of confusing or deceptive testimonies, excessive equivocacy. Another issue within Forensic Psychology  is the way results and conclusions are reported. Some Forensic Psychologists report minimal results without any useful or appropriate explanations. 

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The risk of being harmed or assaulted as a Forensic Psychologist.

One issue that Forensic Psychologists face is the risk of being harm or assaulted. Forensic psychologist interact the mentally ill and extremely dangerous criminals, which puts them at an absolutely high risk of being injured or assaulted being that these individuals have a tendency to snap at you at any given moment.

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SOLVING MYSTERIES OF THE MIND

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Forensic Psychology?

Before we get into all the juicy details, I’m sure you would like to first understand what is Forensic Psychology. Allow me to enlighten you. Forensic Psychology emphasizes the application of research and experimentation in areas such as the cognitive and social aspect of psychology to criminal justice.

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What comes to mind when we hear the term “Forensic Psychology”?

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Let’s chat!

Hello guys! I’m Britania Turner, I am a student at the Northern Caribbean University, majoring in the field of criminal justice. Today I will be discussing a few issues found within forensic psychology, sounds interesting, right? oh yeah! it is! so please feel free to interact with each post and share your thoughts or opinions.