Emerging Roles in Forensic Psychology

16/02/2023

The term forensic psychologist is an interesting one as it is often used interchangeably with terms such as criminologist and criminal psychologist. However, if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that forensic psychology offers great career opportunities. So, what is it? Broadly, it can be defined as an intersection of psychology and the law. Have you ever watched the BBC’s Silent Witness? The TV crime drama starring Emilia Fox; who plays the forensic psychologist, Dr Nikki Alexander.

Forensic psychologists are often one of the first to the crime scene and they play a critical role in solving a murder. If you’re interested in combining psychology and crime and want to learn how to crack the case, then a forensic psychology degree could be a great start to a problem-solving career.

But first, let’s explore some of the emerging roles that are available to graduates…

Crime Analyst

Wondering what a crime analyst does? Well, they play a critical role in working with detectives and investigators to help them solve crimes. Daily duties involve analysing police reports, data, and trends to gather important clues such as methods and motives that could generate leads to identify suspects for interviews.

Another key duty of crime analysts is to conduct a comparative case analysis. As crime analysis is still relatively new to the policing world, this is the process of using other suspects to find crimes that are possibly linked to one another using crime-mapping technology. Essentially, crime analysts are experts in understanding criminal behaviour and trends, and it’s not stopping there. Police departments are beginning to use behavioural data to predict which men are likely to commit violence against women and girls.

So, if you’re someone who is looking to get under the skin of the theoretical-based work that is associated with the criminal justice system, this dynamic and forward-thinking career could be an exciting option.

Forensic Case Manager

Did you know that two in five people who have been to prison are known to have mental health issues? This means that despite the violent stigma that is attached to inmates, these criminals are actually a bigger threat to themselves than others. This is where forensic case managers can make a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Daily duties include being responsible for the treatment, screening, and case management of criminals who have mental health issues or substance abuse problems. Case managers could be put in contact with someone with complex challenges, making it not only demanding but a highly rewarding occupation to get involved in.

If you’re looking to make a difference in a career that not only helps to protect society but also helps uphold the mental state of those trapped in the criminal justice system, then the forensic case manager route could be the one for you.

Forensic Social Worker

When we think of the role of a social worker, we think about a counselling-type role that aims to help people through their problems. So, what exactly is a forensic social worker? By taking on responsibilities such as offering special support to service users who are in psychiatric care units, they are critical to providing community care to those who have been discharged from secure care facilities.

As a forensic social worker, you could be working in child custody, juvenile arrest, or child maltreatment. Alternatively, you could be involved in elder abuse, divorce, civil disputes, and imprisonment, so the role is far from restricted. It could be a great choice if you are looking for a challenging career to demonstrate your passion for psychology. It’s a rewarding one too, with current social workers playing a part in making a positive impact on those who are struggling from being led down the wrong path.

Why choose Bolton?

If you’re looking to pursue your passion for either criminology or psychology, the University of Bolton can help you get the best of both worlds with our criminology and forensic psychology course. We go the extra mile to provide students with a supportive learning environment and quality teaching that will help them stand out in a competitive marketplace. But don’t just take our word for it, look at what one of our second-year students said about her lecturers…

“The lecturers here are absolutely amazing. They are always there to talk about work, or even other things that may be affecting you outside of university. I have a great relationship with them all”.

- Sian Worton | BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology Student | Year 2

The course modules include elements that provide a vital understanding of the modern aspects of crime and psychology, the psychology of law and crime, mental health, and the applications of forensic psychology. Not only do our students learn everything they need to know to pursue a career in criminology and forensic psychology, but we also ensure that they always have access to the wealth of knowledge and industry connections that our experienced lecturers possess. Our aim is for our students to graduate with the skills and network they need for a long-lasting, enjoyable career. 

Find out more about how we can teach you contemporary approaches to criminal behaviour by viewing our full course details. Come and join our School of Education and Psychology.

Speak to a member of our team and find out everything you need to know about studying at the University of Bolton by emailing us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or calling us on 01204 903807. 

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