Overview of Forensic Psychology

Abstract

AbstractForensic psychology has received considerable attention in recent years. This introductory chapter presents both an overview of the field as well as a description of how this volume is organized and the various psycho‐legal questions it addresses. The field of forensic psychology is defined and fundamental differences between it and clinical psychology are discussed. These include differences in roles, the significance of diagnoses, concepts of human behavior, trust in the client's responses, temporal focus of the evaluation, and professional accountability. The history of the field is briefly reviewed. The major sections of this volume are described: the nature of the field including training, ethics, and testimony; approaches to forensic assessment, including the use of third‐party information and the assessment of malingering; special topics, such as eyewitness memory and jury selection; civil issues, including child custody, personal injury, and Americans with Disabilities Act assessments; criminal issues, such as the evaluation of juveniles; Miranda waivers and false confessions, trial competence, criminal responsibility, death penalty and child sexual abuse assessments; evaluating special populations, including sex offenders, battered women, and those for whom violence is at issue; and emerging directions for the field of forensic psychology. This volume reflects the most up‐to‐date description of the field as we enter the twentieth century.