You can, as a forensic psychologist. Forensic psychology, recognized as a specialty in 2001, is the study of human behavior related to the legal system. Not everyone with a specialty in this field has the same job. While some forensic psychologists may work directly with offenders to help them transition back into society, others may take the stand to share their knowledge in criminal and civil cases. If you are interested in both how the mind works and how our legal system works, keep reading.

What does a Forensic Psychologist Do?Job RequirementsSalarySchools for Forensic Psychology DegreesCompanies That Hire Forensic PsychologistsInterviews with a Forensic PsychologistFamous Forensic PsychologistsForensic Psychology Examples

What does a Forensic Psychologist Do?

Job Requirements

Salary

Schools for Forensic Psychology Degrees

Companies That Hire Forensic Psychologists

Interviews with a Forensic Psychologist

Famous Forensic Psychologists

Forensic Psychology Examples

A Forensic Psychologist offers professional psychological help to a legal team working on a case. Their duties involve performing research about a case and offering their opinion as expert advice in court.

Their services don’t just stay in the courtroom, either. Forensic psychologists may work with offenders or people awaiting trial. They may offer mental health services themselves or lead a group of professionals to conduct these services. People awaiting trial or who are serving jail sentences can be seriously affected mentally. A forensic psychologist may determine if a person needs to be put on a suicide watch, for example. They may also assess whether they can receive a visitation from friends and family.

Here is a list of Forensic Psychologist Salary compiled from a few different resources:

Forensic Psychologist Reported SalariesLowAverageHighPayscale$40,000$72,370$101,000US Bureau of Labor Statistics​$82,180​PsychologyDegreeGuide.org$53,000$83,768$105,000ZipRecruiter$60,000$105,000$144,000

Forensic Psychologist Reported Salaries

Low

Average

High

Payscale

$40,000

$72,370

$101,000

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

​

$82,180

PsychologyDegreeGuide.org

$53,000

$83,768

$105,000

ZipRecruiter

$60,000

$144,000

Salary Variation Across States and Popularity of the Career

Forensic psychology is a field that, like many other professions, can experience wide salary variations based on geographic location. These differences often reflect the cost of living, the demand for forensic psychology services, and the availability of specialized training and educational institutions in the region.

The number of job openings can measure forensic psychology’s popularity, the presence of forensic psychology programs in universities, and the general demand for these services.

While the salary for a forensic psychologist can vary significantly depending on the state, it’s crucial to consider other factors like the cost of living, job demand, and professional growth opportunities in the region before making a career move.

There are many ways to earn a doctorate while specializing in forensics. If you are interested in exploring this program, add these schools to your list:

Various institutions and organizations are looking for forensic psychologists. Here are some major employers that hire Forensic Psychologists:

State and local governments are often looking for people to fit this position. But you do not have to work with criminal law to fulfill your duties. A large company may hire a forensic psychologist to assess whether someone can go back to their position after a traumatic experience, including or not including time in prison.

Want to hear from a forensic psychologist about their journey? Read thisinterviewwith Katherine Ramsland, a forensic psychologist and author. You can also watch a few interviews with forensic psychologists on YouTube, here is one:

​One video many people find helpful is this “day in the life” style video:

Here is an interesting video about spotting psychopath behavior with Dr. Darrel Turner:

The first psychologist you might think of when you think of psychology and crime is Clarice Starling from The Silence of the Lambs. Clarice was training to work with the FBI at the time as a psychologist. The movie, which premiered in 1991, didn’t call Starling a forensic psychologist, but it’s important to remember that forensic psychology was not a recognized specialty until 2001.

Although forensic psychologists, as we recognize them now, are often found on crime shows, they have played an influential role in the shaping of psychology and how it can help us understand the world and make the world a safer place.Alfred Binet, known for developing the world’s first intelligence tests, is considered one of the fathers of forensic psychology.

Other psychologists’ research has made them a leading figure in forensic psychology. TakeStanley Milgram, known for his controversial obedience study. Without this insight into how people obey orders from others, “duress” may not be a valid defense in criminal cases.

Forensic psychologists, although many worked without that title, have also been involved in many of the country’s most notable court cases.Mamie Phipps Clarkwas a psychologist who testified in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education. Her research into racial identity helped to end segregation throughout the country. Her work took place 50 years before forensic psychology was recognized as a specialization throughout the United States.

What does a forensic psychologist do every day? Well, the answer isn’t so simple. Depending on your position and how certain cases have moved along, ƒyou may have many different tasks ahead of you, including:

Interested in learning more about forensic psychology from the real people who have made the subject their career? Check out theForensicPsychology subredditfor ongoing discussions on forensic psychology.

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Reference this article:Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Forensic Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/forensic-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Forensic Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/forensic-psychologist/.Copy

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Practical Psychology. (2021, June).Forensic Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews).Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/forensic-psychologist/.Practical Psychology. (2021, June). Forensic Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews). Retrieved from https://practicalpie.com/forensic-psychologist/.Copy

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