BY: JACK KENNEDY

Forensic Psychologist

Job Responsibilities

A Forensic Psychologist’s job is to analyze people’s minds to determine if they’re telling the truth

Upon an arrest of a suspect, the forensic psychologist goes into the suspect mind using conversations with the suspect & standard psychological testing.

Job Requirements

a Ph.D. or master's degree in psychology is required for licensing or certification.

Licensing is essential for all practicing psychologists and can be obtained by taking examinations through the state psychologist licensing board.

It is beneficial to have a minor in law.problem-solving ability and decision-making skills;research skills and the ability to analyze and

present statistical information;self-awareness;a high level of security awareness;

Requirements (Continued)

Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

communication and listening skills;ability to establish a relationship with the

offender community;a systematic approach to work;teamwork & leadership skills;motivation and commitment;planning and reviewing skills;problem-solving ability and decision-making

skills;

Educational Level

A PH.D OR Master’s Degree is required for licensing or certification.

Some can find work with just a Bachelor’s Degree

Job Salary

There are currently more women than men working as forensic psychologists. (Date – August, 2012)

The average starting forensic psychologist salary is estimated to range from $53,000 to $59,000.

Depending on the location, and the nature of the work, starting salaries can often range anywhere from $45,000 to $83,000 annually.

Salaries at senior and principal grades with 10-15 years' experience in the role, may reach up to around $63,000.

Job Salary (Continued)

Job Benefits

Moral RewardsImmense Job Opportunities Including Family

courts, Civil courts, Criminal courts, Elementary schools, Secondary schools, Etc.

You can also expect to receive healthcare benefits.

Top Paying Cities

Here is a list of the top four paying cities for forensic psychologists, along with a look at the salaries that professionals see in those areas.

1) Washington, District of Columbia: $60,000 – $245,659

2) Miami, Florida: $40,695 – $85,2183) Los Angeles, California: $45,898 – $66,1294) New York, New York: $15,101 – $99,329

Training

work-based learning such as the maintenance of a log of cases;

professional activity, e.g. involvement in a professional body (mentoring or teaching)

formal/education activities such as attending appropriate courses provided

self-directed learning through reading relevant literature and professional journals.

Importance Of Forensic Psychology

forensic psychologists are required because of just how much use they could supply to the criminal justice system.

From the start to the end of an investigation, they could provide insight, scientific training as well as understanding of human behavior and also experience in working with the psychologically upset or sick that may be otherwise unavailable to police force.

Importance (Continued)

They assist in analyzing the evidence discovered at a crime arena and also working up a psychological profile of the offender in question that can help provide police a possible image of the suspect, for instance.

Psychologists could also assess if or not a suspect is able of standing trial, and also the distinctive training of a forensic psychologist will also help them interview a suspect at least as well as police can.