Criminal psychology is the field of study that essentially applies psychology to the areas of crime and criminal justice. The criminal psychologist may have a number of different specific functions within the police and court systems.

History

One of the first documented experiments in criminal psychology, a study testing the reliability of eyewitnesses, was performed by William Stern in 1901. In 1908, Hugo Munsterberg wrote the first book on the subject of criminal psychology, titled "On the Witness Stand."

Forensics

The term "forensic psychology" sometimes is used interchangeably with the term "criminal psychology." However, forensic psychology is not limited to the study of crime. Within the field of criminal psychology, forensic psychologists help police analyze and understand criminals and their crimes.

Profiling

Profiling is an important function of function of criminal psychologists. The practice involves using psychology to understand criminals and witnesses, providing police with information that might help them interrogate a person, understand a pattern in crimes or comprehend the motive of a crime.

Policy

Criminal psychologists are essential in creating policy that effects law enforcement and the court system, such as how prisoners should be treated, which prisoners are good candidates for parole and how police should interrogate suspects.

Court

Criminal psychologists often are used during court proceedings, applying their expertise in helping a judge make custody decisions, testifying to a criminal's or witness' mental condition and deciding whether a person is fit to stand trial.

Source:

Northeastern University Psychology Department: General Information on Forensic Psychology

Forensic Medicine for Medical Students: Criminal Psychology

All About Forensic Psychology: Criminal Psychology

Resource:

Psychology Campus: Forensic & Criminal Psychology