What Does a Forensic Psychologist Do? Roles and Responsibilities

Are you interested in pursuing a career as a psychologist but unsure which area or niche to specialize in? If you’re passionate about topics like criminal justice, criminology, family law, or law enforcement, consider exploring professional opportunities in forensic psychology, an exciting, specialized field that uses psychology to understand crime, treat victims, counsel families, and prevent reoffending.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Forensic Psychology
• Roles and Responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist
• Where Do Forensic Psychologists Work?
• Skills and Qualifications Required
• Earn Your Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists help bridge the gap between the legal system and mental health, using their skills and expertise to evaluate defendants and consult with lawyers and police officers. They also work on civil cases, such as cases involving divorce or custody, assist victims, work to reform the justice system, and do research to lower recidivism. This guide explores the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of a forensic psychologist, along with potential work environments and some essential skills for the field. 

Understanding Forensic Psychology 

Contrary to the stereotypical images often portrayed in movies and TV shows, forensic psychology isn’t always about investigating criminal cases like murder, assault, or fraud. In fact, forensic psychologists are frequently called upon to assist in civil matters, including: 

• Family law cases, like divorce or adoption proceedings
• Juvenile cases, which are handled separately from the adult criminal court system in all but the most serious of instances
• Personal injury or wrongful death cases, such as workplace accident lawsuits

Depending on where you work, your tasks could include: 

• Conducting forensic evaluations and creating forensic reports, such as reports detailing a subject’s background and motives
• Interviewing defendants, crime victims, personal injury claimants, prison inmates, and other parties to legal matters 
• Gathering data and performing research 
• Researching laws and legal precedents 
• Testifying at depositions in civil and criminal cases 

Forensic psychologists often provide support in civil and criminal court cases, where they might perform duties like assessing emotional impacts on crime victims or sharing their expertise with attorneys and police officers. In addition, forensic psychologists also provide a variety of mental health counseling and psychological services, sometimes through state-mandated programs like California’s Mental Health Diversion. These services include: 

• Rehabilitating offenders and preventing future recidivism 
• Helping crime victims and abuse survivors recover and heal from their trauma 
• Counseling children and teenagers in the juvenile law or family law system
• Contributing to training or educational programs for law enforcement 

Roles and Responsibilities of a Forensic Psychologist

As a forensic psychologist, you’ll play a critical role in the U.S. legal system, having an impact on the outcomes of civil and criminal cases. Depending on where you decide to work and your area of specialization, you may be responsible for a broad range of tasks and responsibilities. In some cases, a forensic psychologist may be called upon to evaluate homicide cases to determine whether an insanity defense applies. In matters of family law, they may assess which parent should receive custody in divorce proceedings. They may also be called upon to provide expert testimony in court. Below are a few examples highlighting some of a forensic psychologist’s key roles and job duties. 

Criminal Evaluations  

Forensic psychologists perform psychological evaluations in criminal cases for various reasons, like uncovering potential motives or patterns, assessing whether the accused is a flight risk, and determining whether the defendant is legally fit to stand trial. 

Competency Assessments 

Forensic psychologists work with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and public defenders to assess whether or not a defendant is mentally competent to stand trial. For example, they may evaluate defendants to determine whether they understand their legal rights or other aspects of their case. They may also prepare written reports for the court detailing the defendant’s childhood and mental health status. 

Insanity Defense Evaluations 

In criminal cases, forensic psychologists are frequently called upon to help evaluate whether or not the defendant’s actions were consistent with the definition of legal insanity at the time of the alleged offense. For example, they might interview the defendant, perform various diagnostic tests, and review the defendant’s records for patterns of behavior. 

Risk Assessments 

Forensic psychologists evaluate defendants to determine whether they are at risk of reoffending, whether they pose a flight risk, and whether their release could potentially threaten or jeopardize anyone’s safety. 

Civil Evaluations

Outside of criminal cases, forensic psychologists also conduct psychological evaluations in civil matters like personal injury lawsuits, custody disputes, and divorce proceedings. They may also evaluate job applicants to determine their psychological fitness for duty in fields like law enforcement.  

Custody Evaluations

When divorce cases involve disputes over custody, forensic psychologists conduct evaluations of the family. These evaluations help the courts gauge what sort of living arrangement would be in the best interests of the child. 

Personal Injury Cases 

When somebody files a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit, such as a claim involving a workplace accident, slip and fall accident, or nursing home abuse, a forensic psychologist may help assess the psychological or emotional trauma resulting from the accident. This has an impact on the value of the claim and the amount of compensation the claimant may be awarded, if successful. 

Fitness for Duty Evaluations

The process to become a police officer involves completing a psychological evaluation to determine whether the applicant is fit for duty and how they might handle high-stress situations. Forensic psychologists help conduct these assessments and analyze the applicant’s results. 

Expert Witness Testimony

Providing Expert Testimony 

Forensic psychologists are frequently called to serve as expert witnesses in civil and criminal proceedings, offering opinions based on their evaluations and psychological expertise. For this reason, it’s important for forensic psychologists to feel comfortable presenting complex information and speaking in public settings. 

Report Writing

As a forensic psychologist, one of your chief tasks will be to prepare clear, detailed, and unbiased written reports, which prosecutors and defense teams use to construct their strategies and support the testimony provided. 

Consultation with Legal Professionals

Assisting Attorneys

Forensic psychologists collaborate with both defense and prosecution teams to provide attorneys with nuanced, expert insights into the defendant’s history, education, behavior patterns, and other relevant details. By providing their expertise, forensic psychologists can impact which legal strategies lawyers decide to use for their clients. 

Jury Selection 

Forensic psychologists assist in the jury selection process for criminal and civil cases. For example, they may analyze potential jurors’ psychological profiles so that attorneys can avoid jurors who would be biased toward a certain verdict or outcome.  

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Providing Therapy

Forensic psychologists provide various forms of therapy and counseling to individuals within the criminal justice system, including inmates, parolees, probationers, and the victims of crimes. This may involve one-on-one sessions with clients, group therapy sessions, or working with entire families or individual family members. 

Rehabilitation Programs

As a forensic psychologist, you’ll have a hands-on role in designing and putting into action meaningful rehabilitation programs that reduce recidivism rates and lower the risk of reoffending. You may also work on programs that help previously incarcerated offenders find housing, employment, social support, and other resources for reintegrating successfully back into society. 

Where Do Forensic Psychologists Work? 

Forensic psychologists may work in a wide variety of environments, from courtrooms and legal settings to prisons, universities, and even their own private practices. Here are a few examples of some workplace environments and industries where forensic psychologists are in demand: 

• Civil, Criminal, and Juvenile Court Systems — Forensic psychologists may work in local, state, or federal court systems, along with law offices and other legal environments. 
• Correctional Facilities — Forensic psychologists may visit facilities like prisons, county jails, and juvenile detention centers to interview and assess inmates or clients, or work as a regular staff member in a facility.
• Private Practices — Some forensic psychologists work as independent consultants or expert witnesses for private practices.  
• Research Labs and Academic Institutions — As a forensic psychologist, you can potentially work for colleges or universities, teaching and training students and conducting original research on topics you’re passionate about. 

Skills and Qualifications Required 

Becoming any type of psychologist — forensic or otherwise — requires advanced education and extensive professional training, as well as satisfying other licensing and certification requirements in your state. Below, we’ll review the skills, educational degrees, and professional certifications required to practice as a forensic psychologist.

Required Education 

You must earn a relevant doctorate degree, such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), before you can get licensed as any type of psychologist in California. For most forensic psychologists, their doctorate is in clinical or counseling psychology, as those clinical skills are required to do many of the evaluations and treatment, but not all forensic psychology activities require clinical skills, knowledge, or expertise. This Earning a PhD or PSYD to get licensed is a requirement is set forth by Section 2914(b) of the state’s Business and Professions Code (BPC). Factoring in internships and supervised experience, earning your PhD or PsyD can take anywhere from four to eight years, depending on your pace of study and how many attempts you require to pass mandatory state exams (for example, the California Psychology Laws and Ethics Examination (CPLEE).

Licensure and Certification 

Each state enforces its own criteria for becoming a forensic psychologist or other type of psychologist. In California, for example, the Board of Psychology requires aspiring practitioners to become licensed by: 

• Earning a doctorate degree, such as a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY) (Note: This program is an applied, non-clinical program and does not lead to licensure. It offers 10 specializations, which are listed on the program page).
• Completing at least “3,000 hours of supervised professional experience,” including 1,500 post-doctoral hours
• Passing competency exams like the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP)
• Submitting to a background check and fingerprinting requirements 

If you’re interested in career paths that don’t require licensure, National University’s Master of Science in Forensic Psychology program offers a strong foundation for various professional roles. It is also an excellent stepping stone to pursuing a doctorate in psychology. Graduates of this program can work in sectors such as public administration, higher education, healthcare, and government at the federal, state, and local levels. Different types of forensic psychology and career opportunities include:

• Behavior Analyst
• Child Welfare Specialist
• Clinical Case Manager
• College Professor/Instructor
• Correctional Officer/Jailer
• Federal Law Enforcement
• Mental Health Assistant
• Mental Health/Behavioral Counselor
• Postsecondary Teacher
• Probation Officer/Correctional Treatment Specialist
• Social/Human Services Manager

For a more detailed breakdown of these requirements, see our guide to becoming a therapist in California, or refer directly to the BBS website.

Key Skills 

To succeed as a forensic psychologist, you need to cultivate a diverse set of hard and soft skills. 

• Basic technological proficiency 
• Careful adherence to professional ethics
• Confidence with public speaking and speaking to groups  
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills  
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries while having empathy and compassion for clients
• Sensitivity to diverse cultures and avoidance of bias, prejudice, or discrimination 
• Sharp critical thinking and close attention to detail 
• The ability to remain calm and objective in potentially high-pressure, high-stress situations and environments 
• Understanding of relevant laws, legal cases, and court terminology 
• Understanding of effective research techniques and data collection methods

For more insights into the hard and soft skills that apply to a career in forensic psychology, you can explore our related blog, “Essential Skills Needed to Be a Forensic Psychologist.” This resource highlights the key competencies that help professionals thrive in this challenging and rewarding field.

Earn Your Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology Online at National University 

Whether you’re passionate about fighting for social justice, protecting child welfare, reforming the justice system, improving access to mental health services, or advocating for underserved communities, a career in forensic psychology ties it all together — and earning your degree is the first step on the journey. 

National University offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in psychology and criminal justice, each within specialized schools:

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – offered through the School of Arts, Letters, and Sciences
• Master of Science in Forensic Psychology (MSFP) – part of the JFK School of Psychology and Social Sciences

Graduate students in the MSFP program explore coursework such as theories of criminal behavior, fundamentals of risk assessment, and various specialization courses, concluding with a capstone project or internship. There is also a specialization in threat assessment and management, which can lead to certification as a threat manager by the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals.With accelerated study options, no synchronous classes for the MSFP online degree program, and financial aid packages available, National University is the most flexible way to earn your graduate or undergraduate degree. Request more program information, or apply online today.