Psychology has various specialized branches that focus on different aspects of human behavior in relation to law and justice. Two of these branches are Criminal Psychology and Forensic Psychology, which are often confused due to their thematic proximity. However, it is important to highlight that although both disciplines share certain similarities, they also present significant differences in terms of approach, objectives and work methods.
Differences between Psychology Criminal and Forensic Psychology
Criminal Psychology
Criminal Psychology focuses on the study of criminal behavior and the minds of criminals. Its main objective is to understand the psychological causes that lead a person to commit criminal acts, as well as to identify behavioral patterns that can help in the prevention and resolution of crimes. Criminal psychologists often work in collaboration with police forces and judicial systems to evaluate criminals, conduct criminal profiles, and provide recommendations for treatment and intervention.
Forensic Psychology
On the other hand On the other hand, Forensic Psychology focuses on the application of psychological principles to legal and judicial issues. Its main objective is to provide expert advice in legal cases, using psychological knowledge to evaluate individuals involved in judicial processes, such as suspects, witnesses or victims. Forensic psychologists can perform psychological evaluations, provide testimony in trials, advise on jury selection, and contribute to the development of psychological profiles for legal cases.
Main differences between Criminal Psychology and Forensic Psychology
Approach
One of the main differences between Criminal Psychology and Forensic Psychology lies in their approach. While Criminal Psychology focuses on the study of criminal behavior and the causes that motivate it, Forensic Psychology is oriented towards the application of psychological knowledge in legal and judicial contexts. In summary, Criminal Psychology studies the why of criminal behavior, while Forensic Psychology focuses on how these aspects relate to a specific legal context.
Objectives
Another significant difference between both disciplines is their objectives. Criminal Psychology seeks to understand the psychology of criminals to prevent crime and contribute to the rehabilitation of offenders. On the other hand, Forensic Psychology's main objective is to provide precise and relevant psychological evaluations in judicial cases, helping to determine a person's mental capacity, their truthfulness as a witness, their parental aptitude, among other aspects relevant to legal processes.
Work methods
In terms of work methods, criminal psychologists usually use psychological evaluation techniques, analysis of criminal profiles, interviews with criminals and case studies to understand and prevent criminal behavior. On the other hand, forensic psychologists can carry out forensic psychological evaluations, therapy sessions in a legal environment, analysis of testimonies and psychological expert reports, which will be presented as evidence in judicial proceedings.
Importance of Psychology Criminal and Forensic
Both branches of psychology play a crucial role in the judicial system and in society in general. Criminal Psychology contributes to the understanding of the factors underlying criminal behavior, which can help in crime prevention and in the design of effective intervention strategies for the rehabilitation of criminals. On the other hand, Forensic Psychology guarantees that valid and ethical psychological principles are applied in legal contexts, ensuring that judicial decisions are based on accurate and relevant evaluations.
In conclusion, although Criminal Psychology and Forensic Psychology share certain similarities in terms of their relationship with law and justice, it is important to recognize significant differences in approach, objectives and working methods. Both disciplines play a fundamental role in the understanding and application of psychological principles in the legal field, contributing to the search for truth and justice in the judicial system.