Forensic Psychology

Not to be confused with the discipline of forensicto investigate individual personality in general and
science (the study of crime scenes, evidence, etc.)aberrations in particular. He did a lot of research on the
with which it does share a common platform, forensichuman mind's abilities of selective and compensative
psychology is one of the main bulwarks of criminalmemory.
justice today. Basically, it finds application in theThe results of his studies led to a deeper knowledge
establishment of competency (selection of juries,of why, for example, a certain collection of
witnesses, etc.) and the formulation of workableeyewitnesses to a crime will have vastly different
policies in justice administration.recollections of the incident. After Stern, Hugo
Probably its most exciting and glamorous application isMunsterberg gave the science of forensic psychology
in the prediction of criminal patterns (for example,definite shape and form in his book On the Witness
where will the serial killer strike next/who will his nextStand, which was first published in 1908.
victim be?). But forensic psychology is an integralFinally, forensic psychology is invaluable in maintaining
weapon in other areas of justice, too. In the hearing ofjustice in the criminal justice system by weeding out
a criminal case, for instance, the effectivefraudulent informants and information, extracting
cross-examination of a subpoenaed witness and thefactual information from inaccurately recollected
establishment of his/her credibility often calls for deeptestimonies, and establishing suitable aptitude and
knowledge of forensic psychology.intelligence parameters among law enforcement
The genesis of forensic psychology as a seriouspersonnel.
discipline probably dates back to the earliest part ofA forensic psychologist may also exercise his
the twentieth century, when the pioneeringknowledge in formulating new policies for the
psychologist William Stern made concerted attemptsrehabilitation of criminals.