Forensic psychology is the branch of psychology that applies psychological principles, research and clinical skill to questions arising within the legal system, including assessing a defendant's competency to stand trial, conducting risk and custody evaluations, and advising courts on witness testimony. Trial consultants who work in this field are typically retained by one side in a case, which raises its own questions about how a scientific witness stays neutral inside an adversarial system.
Facts
Central QuestionHow can psychological science be applied within the legal and criminal justice system, from assessing competency and criminal responsibility to evaluating witness testimony? 1 Key DebateWhether a forensic evaluator can remain a neutral scientific witness while frequently being retained and compensated by one side in an adversarial legal proceeding. 1 Connections
Associated With
His On the Witness Stand is generally credited as founding forensic psychology's application to legal testimony.
Includes
Source Wikipedia: Elizabeth Loftus
Source Wikipedia: Lost in the Mall Technique
Source Wikipedia: Misinformation Effect
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Forensic Psychology
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
the application of scientific knowledge and methods (in relation to psychology) to assist in answering legal questions
Consultations subsection
Because trial consultants are often hired by one specific side in a trial, these psychologists face many ethical issues.
Wikipedia: Elizabeth Loftus
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Elizabeth Loftus, Career section (forensic applications)Quote, Includes: Elizabeth Loftus, Career section (forensic applications)
She shifted from laboratory work to using 'real world' situations of criminal court cases.
Wikipedia: Misinformation Effect
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Misinformation Effect, Daily applications, eyewitness testimony sectionQuote, Includes: Misinformation Effect, Daily applications, eyewitness testimony section
After witnessing a crime or accident there may be opportunities for witnesses to interact and share information.
Wikipedia: Lost in the Mall Technique
Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Lost in the Mall Experiment, Origin and creators sectionQuote, Includes: Lost in the Mall Experiment, Origin and creators section
It was first developed by Elizabeth Loftus and her undergraduate student Jim Coan, as support for the thesis that it is possible to implant entirely false memories in people.
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