FORENSIC SOCIAL

WORK

Forensic Social Work

Focuses on the commonality between social

work and the legal justice system. Overseeing

criminal offenders and their victims is an
enermous challenge for members of the legal
field and the social work system.
Accordingly, the field of forensic social work
prepares professional students to meet this
challenge by making sure thet their clients
recieve the proper treatment, assistance, and
encouragement in the legal process.
Also reffered to as Criminal Justice Social

Workers or as Correctional Social

Workers.

Forensic Social Work

While many mistakenly believe that forensic social work is

limited to evaluating and treating criminal defendants in

psychiatric hospitals, it is important to realize that the field
is much more broad to encompass all social services within
the civil and criminal justice systems, wether defendant or
client-based.
According to the National Organization of Forensic Soial
Work(NOFSW), forensic social work is defined as
theapplication of social work principles to questions and
issues relating to law and legal sytems,.Under this
definition , forensic social work is concerned with various
types of ligitation, including child costudy issues, child
neglect, spouse abuse, juvenile or adult justice services,
corrections, and civil disputes.

What thas a forensic social worker

do?
Asses and evaluate the mental ability of law

enforcement
personnel,defendants,witnesses,or others in a
trial before they can take a stand.
Serve as an expert witnesses by
communicating your experience to
lawmakers,judges,lawyers,and law
enforcement.
Provide consultation or training to
attorneys,correctional systems,law
students,paralegals,the public,or others.
Provide professional opinions regarding
arbitration,advocacy,and mediation.
Perform research and analysis regarding

 Provide mental health,drug and alcohol,medical,and

aftercare treatment for adult offenders.

Deal with issues such as rehabilitation,punishment,and
prevention.
Gather the social histories of criminal defendants in order
to evaluate competency,lessen sentences, or assist with
treatment.
Overall,emerging field of forenic social work consists of the
appplication of social work theories to current real-world
issues that are related to the nations legal systems.Since
forensic social workers are placed in stressful
situations,individuals must posses strong problem
solving,time management,organizational,listening,and
communication skills as well as compassion and empathy
for their clients.
Despite its obvious challenges,forensic social work is an indemand field that provides qualified social workers with the
rewarding opportunity to truly make a difference in todays
changing criminal justice system .