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All About Forensic Psychology Newsletter: February 2007

Issue
February 07, 2007

February 2007

A very warm welcome to the February edition of the All About Forensic
Psychology Newsletter. A belated Happy New Year to you all; the holiday
season seems a long time ago now but I hope you all had a great one.

All the forensic psychology newsletters contain graphics that most of you will
be able to see, along with links that you can access should you wish to do
so.

If you can only see text, this means that your e-mail software cannot read
HTML (this just means that the newsletter cannot be read as if it were a web
page). You'll still get all the content, although it won't be as easy on the eye,
for instance you'll see a series of code where the graphic would be.

In This Months Edition

The Psychology of A Serial Killer

New Forensic Science Website Update
Professor Christopher Cronin's Expert Article
 Resource Central
And Finally

The Psychology of A Serial Killer

The biggest story to break at the end of last year, particularly within the UK
was the Suffolk serial killer case. The case related to the murder of five
prostitutes. The bodies of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol and and Anneli
Alderton, were all found in rural locations around Ipswich in Suffolk between
the 2nd and the 10th of December. On the 12th of December two more
bodies were found which were later identified as the missing prostitutes
Paula Clennell and Annette Nicholls.

What was unprecedented about this case was the speed at which events
unfolded. A local television station reporting on the Suffolk murders
interviewed one of the victims Paula Clennell in the week before she
disappeared. In the course of just three weeks, the story broke, further
murders were committed and Stephen Wright was arrested and formally
charged with murdering all five victims.

During this period a number of criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists

and other behavioural scientists began commenting on the case.

I followed the events on my forensic psychology blog and made a total of 6

posts between the 13th and the 22nd December and it was only when I went
back and read them in order that I realised just how unique this case was. If
you would like to read the blog posts, the following link will take you to the
first post made on the 13th December. Once there, you can access the
subsequent posts in date order From the left hand side of the page.

Click Here To Read The First Post

New Forensic Science Website Update

The All About Forensic Science Website was launched on the 10th January
and has grown considerably over the last few weeks. Highlights include:

A dedicated forensic science blog.

Click Here To See The Forensic Science Blog

A forensic science notice board page used to post details of Forensic Science
Job vacancies, Forensic Science Internships, New Forensic Science Degree
Programs etc.

Click Here To See The Forensic Science Notice Board

A free resources page showcasing the very best forensic science and
eductional resources available over the Internet.

Click Here To See The Forensic Science Resources Page

Work currently in progress includes a DNA page, a forensic pathology page

and a forensic toxicology page. Another item we hope to feature shortly is
the diary of a forensic scientist which will document the day-to-day working
life of a real forensic investigator.

Expert Article

Christopher Cronin received his BS in psychology at the

University of Wisconsin, Madison and his MA and PhD in
clinical psychology at the University of Delaware.

He completed his internship at the University of

California, Davis in the Department of Psychiatry at the
University Medical Center in Sacramento; and completed
a Post-doctoral certificate in Clinical Psychopharmacology
at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Dr. Cronin is a licensed clinical psychologist who has held academic positions
in Europe (University of Maryland, Munich Campus), Australia (Flinders
University of South Australia) and the United States (Transylvania University
and Saint Leo University).

He has practiced forensic psychology since 1991 conducting competency to

stand trial evaluations and criminal responsibility evaluations for the
Commonwealth of Kentucky.

He is Professor and Director of Graduate Training at Saint Leo University in

Florida and has conducted over 1800 court-ordered forensic evaluations in
the Tampa Bay area.

For this edition of the newsletter Dr. Cronin addresses the issue of forensic
degrees. Within this must read article, the frequently asked question as to
what degree is best for employment within forensic psychology is tackled.

The Study & Practice of Forensic Psychology: A Comprehensive

Review.

Students frequently asked what degree is best for employment in the field of
forensic psychology. The answer to this question depends on how one defines
forensic psychology along with an individual’s career goals. Although the type
of degree is important with regards to obtaining a licensed to practice
psychology, it is equally important to develop the specific skills needed to
function as a forensic psychologist.

Defining Forensic Psychology

Some authors use a very broad definition for forensic psychology, stating
that it encompasses anything that has to do with psychology and the legal
system. Others define forensic psychology within a more applied context. In
2001, the American Psychological Association formally recognized forensic
psychology as a specialty within the profession. In the “Petition for the
Recognition of a Specialty in Professional Psychology,” forensic psychology is
defined as the “professional practice by psychologists within the areas of
clinical psychology, counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and school
psychology, when they are engaged regularly as experts and represent
themselves as such, in an activity primarily intended to provide professional
psychological expertise to the judicial system” (Heilbrun, 2000, p.6). This
narrow definition adopted by the American Psychological Association views
forensic psychology as a specialty within the applied areas of psychology and
is the definition used in this article.

A student planning to practice forensic psychology will need to earn a degree

that leads to licensure. Generally speaking, a doctorate in either clinical or
counseling psychology is required to be a licensed psychologist. The majority
of psychologists who provide forensic services have their degree in clinical
psychology. Approximately 85% of the membership of the American
Psychology-Law society identifies themselves as clinicians. The specialty
designation by the APA indicates that the field has developed a substantial
body of professional literature and specialized knowledge that distinguishes
forensic psychology from other specialties. The Commission for the
Recognition of Specialties and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology defines
the specialized knowledge in forensic psychology as follows:
Specialized knowledge in forensic psychology is important in three areas.
These are as follows: (1) clinical (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, psychological
testing, prediction and intervention measurement, epidemiology of mental
disorders, ethics), (2) forensic (e.g., response style, forensic ethics, tools and
techniques for assessing symptoms and capacities relevant to legal
questions) and (3) legal (e.g., knowledge of law and the legal system,
knowledge of where and how to obtain relevant legal information).

(http://www.apa.org/crsppp/archivforensic.html, 2004).

This set of skills is consistent with the APA’s definition of forensic psychology
and places the emphasis on the development of solid clinical skills. Although
it is necessary to have specialized training in areas of law and forensic
psychology, these competencies have traditionally come after the
development of clinical expertise. Therefore, anyone wishing to pursue a
career in forensic psychology should first develop strong clinical skills in
assessment, understanding psychopathology, report writing, diagnostic
interviewing, and case presentation.

Doctoral Degrees

To practice psychology in the United States or Canada, an individual needs to

be licensed by their state or provincial board. The American Psychological
Association recommends that individuals be eligible to sit for licensure upon
completion of the following education and training:

(1) A doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited or Canadian

Psychological Association (CPA) -accredited university.

(2) The equivalent of two years of organized, sequential, supervised

professional experience, one year of which is an APA- or CPA-accredited
predoctoral internship.

Thus, in order to practice professional psychology, the student needs to

obtain a Ph.D. or Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) degree. Although the above
recommendations are not binding in all states, many states have adopted the
APA recommendations and require licensure candidates to have their degrees
awarded from an APA-accredited program. The APA does not accredit all
institutions of higher education that offer the doctoral degree in clinical or
counseling psychology. A student receiving the doctorate from a program not
accredited by the APA may find that they cannot be licensed in various states
or provinces. Accreditation by the APA is different than accreditation by the
regional education-accrediting agency. The last newsletter contained an
article detailing accreditation procedures for institutions of higher education
in the United States. The APA publishes a list of APA-accredited institutions
on the APA web site (www.apa.org). The Association of State and Provincial
Psychology Boards (ASPPB) publishes information on each state’s licensing
requirements.

Students also wonder whether they should pursue a degree in clinical or

counseling psychology. The difference between degrees in clinical psychology
versus counseling psychology was traditionally one of focus. The distinction
between clinical and counseling psychology has gradually become blurred
over the past two decades. Clinical psychologists are trained to diagnose and
treat individuals with serious mental illness such as major depression and
anxiety disorders. Counseling psychologists receive much of the same
training as clinical psychologists. Counseling psychologists are generally train
to work with individuals who are struggling with adjustment issues in life,
such as moving away from home, transitioning through a divorce, or
adjusting to a new location. However, the distinction is not as great as it was
in the past and there is now a great deal of overlap in populations served by
the two specialties.

Another type of doctoral degree in clinical psychology is the Psy.D., signifying

the Doctor of Psychology degree. The original intent of the Psy.D. degree
was to distinguish between the scientist, academic psychologist (Ph.D.) and
the practitioner, or professional psychologist (Psy.D.). The focus of training
for a Psy.D. is on clinical service as opposed to research and teaching. The
major differences between the two degrees in clinical psychology are training
opportunities and training focus. Students are encouraged to discuss with
their advisors the benefits and tradeoffs associated with both degree types
before making decisions that will have consequences that carry well into
one’s career.

Generally speaking, a Ph.D. degree provides slightly more flexibility with

regards to job opportunities. Although a Ph.D. and Psy.D degree in clinical
psychology would be interchangeable for clinical positions, some universities
may be slightly reluctant to hire a Psy.D. to serve on the faculty. A number
of graduate programs have developed course work and supervision
opportunities for individuals wishing to pursue specialized work in forensic
psychology. A relatively small number of graduate programs offer formal
training in exclusively forensic psychology. Even though these programs
exist, some practitioners have questioned the long-term viability and
advisability of such specialized degrees. It appears that a specialized degree
in forensic psychology may limit an individual’s professional options more so
than a general degree in clinical or counseling psychology. Rather than a
specialized degree, it may be advisable to obtain a doctoral degree in clinical
or counseling psychology with specialized course work, supervised clinical
experiences, and continuing education in forensic psychology. Another
strategy is to complete a generalist degree in clinical or counseling
psychology and pursue a forensic specialization, either through course work,
continuing education or a certificate in forensic psychology.

Individuals can also pursue post-doctoral training in forensic psychology. This

typically requires a year of specialized training with intensive supervision and
additional formal coursework in forensic psychology. Currently, there are only
11 identified postdoctoral programs in forensic psychology and these
programs accept only one or two applicants a year. With so few postdoctoral
training opportunities, it seems unlikely that this will become the requisite for
practice in the specialty.

Practicing Forensic Psychology at the Master’s Level

Although many states allow licensure at the master’s level, these mental
health professionals may not use the title of psychologist. This title is
regulated by all the states and can only be used by individuals with a
doctorate. The one exception is a school psychologist, who is usually
credentialed at the master’s level.

A master’s degree in psychology requires one to two years of school after the
bachelor’s degree. Although an individual with a master’s degree cannot
present himself or herself as a psychologist, they may be able to practice in
various states under the title of licensed professional counselor, licensed
mental health counselor, or other such titles. Thus, a master’s degree in
counseling or clinical psychology may allow one to practice independently,
depending on the jurisdiction. The master’s degree could then open the door
to working in the specialty of forensic psychology.

Working at the master’s level in forensic psychology usually entails providing

mental health services within correctional or police settings. Master’s level
counselors may lead psychoeducational groups in correctional facilities or for
individuals serving probation in the community. The focus of treatment can
involve anger management, domestic violence, parenting skills, substance
abuse and relapse prevention, sex offender treatment, or the development of
problem solving skills, to name just a few. Depending on the jurisdiction,
individuals with a master’s degree may conduct court-ordered psychological
and mental health assessments. When deciding to pursue a master’s degree
in psychology, it is important to understand the laws of the state in which
you plan to practice. It is just as important to keep in mind that state laws
can evolve rapidly and it is best to stay abreast of any changes in licensing
requirements.

In addition to the necessary educational and internship requirements to

practice as a forensic psychologist, other skills can be of particular benefit.
Most forensic psychologists are involved in some form of psychological
assessment. These assessments may address a wide range of issues before
the court such as competency evaluations, criminal responsibility evaluations
(insanity plea), child custody evaluations, psychological trauma evaluations,
sex offender risk, dangerousness, sexual abuse, accuracy of children’s
testimony, disability evaluations, civil commitment, psychological autopsy,
etc.

It is important for the forensic psychologist to have excellent assessment

skills. This includes strong statistical skills to understand the psychometric
properties of the instruments being used, training and supervision in using
psychological tests, and strong writing skills to produce understandable
psychological reports for the court. Additionally, psychologists who testify in
court should develop their oral presentation skills along with having a well-
groomed social presence.

Students interested in careers in forensic work can consult the American

Psychology – Law Society web site for information on careers, graduate
programs, and job listings (http://www.ap-
ls.org/students/careersIndex.html).
Students interested in pursuing a career in forensic psychology are
encouraged to become student affiliates of the APA and to join Division 41.
The Careers and Training Committee of the American Psychology- Law
Society also publishes a booklet titled, Careers in Psychology and the Law: A
Guide for Prospective Students. Another book, Your Career in Psychology:
Psychology and the Law (Kuther, 2004) also provides career information for
students interested in psychology and law.

References

Heilbrun, K.S. (2000, July 20). Petition for the recognition of a specialty in
professional psychology. Submitted on behalf of the American Board of
Forensic Psychology and the American Psychology-Law Society to the
American Psychological Association.

Kuther, T. L. (2004). Your career in psychology: Psychology and law.

Canada: Wadsworth.

Professor Christopher Cronin is the author of the book

Forensic Psychology.

The emphasis of the book is to help students understand

the practice of forensic psychology. It also serves to
outline the career opportunities in this rapidly evolving
specialty.

Included are several chapters on the area of legal

psychology.

Areas covered in forensic psychology include a chapter on the ethics of

psychology and law, an extensive chapter on assessment in forensic practice,
criminal responsibility and competency evaluations, child custody evaluations,
police psychology, correctional psychology, and evaluations of psychological
injury.

Areas covered in the specialty of legal psychology include trial consultation,

criminal investigative psychology (detection of deception, criminal profiling,
psychological autopsies and use of hypnosis) and eyewitness memory and
recovered memories.

A final chapter identifies emerging trends in the area of forensic psychology.

For more information, visit the forensic psychology books page.

The Forensic Psychology Books Page

Resource Central

All About Forensic Psychology Website:

Visit The All About Forensic Psychology Homepage

Quality Links:

Visit The Quality Links Page

Forensic Psychology MySpace:

My Forensic Psychology MySpace Page

Degree Directories:
USA Forensic Psychology Degree Directory

UK Forensic Psychology Degree Directory

Online Criminal Justice Course Directory

Crime Scene Investigation Degree, Training Course & Certificate Information

USA Forensic Science College & Course Directory

Forensic Psychology Toolbar:

The Forensic Psychology Toolbar

Forensic Psychology Search Engine:

The Forensic Psychology Search Engine

Forensic Psychology Blog:

The Forensic Psychology Blog

Forensic Psychology Forum:

The Forensic Psychology Forum

Unfortunately because of the amount of SPAM that was being added to the
board registered users can no longer post directly.

If you would like to make a post, you can still do so through the link
provided on the board and I will add all the appropriate messages as soon as
possible.

Forensic Psychology Store:

The Forensic Psychology Store

And Finally
I really hope that you have enjoyed reading the February edition of the All
About Forensic Psychology newsletter. If you think your friends might be
interested in taking a look, please feel free to forward it to them.

If you're reading this on the recommendation of a friend and would like to

receive all the future editions, you can subscribe for free via the following
link.

Subscribe For Free

If you would like to contact me about anything to do with the wonderful

world of forensic psychology, you can do so via the following link.

Contact Me

Hopefully the next edition of the newsletter will be sent out in the next
month or so.

Until then, wishing you and your family all the very best.

Dave Webb BSc (hons), MSc

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