Emerging Roles in Forensic Psychology

25/10/2022

Forensic psychology is an interesting field of study, offering great career opportunities. From researching social science topics related to law and crime, to conducting exams of criminal defendants; including duties such as jury selection and consultations with police departments, there’s no limit to the avenues you can take with a degree in forensic psychology.

Find out how our BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology degree, accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) at the University of Bolton can steer you in the right direction to succeed in one of the following careers.

Let’s explore some of the emerging roles in the industry that graduates can apply.

Forensic Psychology Crime Analyst

Did you know that police departments are starting to use behavioural data to predict which men will commit violence against women and girls?

Crime analysis is a new innovation in policing, and one that is quickly becoming more popular. With a major responsibility of crime analysts being to conduct a comparative case analysis, the objective of this is to find crimes that are possibly linked to one another, by other potential suspects. By using crime-mapping technology with police reports and other raw data, crime analysts are gaining a better understanding of criminal behaviours and trends.

This is a dynamic, exciting role where you will be expected to apply your knowledge to identify links between cases; ideal for people who prefer the more theoretical and office-based work associated with the crime and criminal justice system.

Forensic Social Worker

Another emerging role to consider is the forensic social worker. With responsibilities including offering special support to service users who are in psychiatric secure units, they are vital to providing community support to those who have been discharged from secure care facilities.

Pursuing a career in forensic social work means working closely with individuals of all ages; from child custody, juvenile arrest, and child maltreatment to elder abuse, divorce, civil disputes, and imprisonments. Although being a very demanding career choice, it would be a great one to think about if you have a passion for psychology and are looking to make a positive difference to those struggling and those who have been led down the wrong path. Additionally, the average starting salary of a forensic social worker in the UK is £27,100.

Forensic Case Manager

Two in five people who have been to prison are known to have mental health issues. However, the biggest threat is the fact that those with mental illnesses are more likely to be a threat to themselves than others; 80-90% of people who die from suicide are those who have been experiencing mental health problems.

This is where the role of a forensic case manager is of increasing importance. If you’re someone who is interested in psychology or criminology, this can be an excellent avenue to take. Enabling you to pursue a career in both protecting society and helping those in need. Duties include being directly 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.

Why choose Bolton?

Have you been looking at studying a criminology or even a psychology degree? At the University of Bolton, we go the extra mile to provide students with the support that will help them stand out in a competitive marketplace. Our BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology degree includes modules 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 career, supported by our dedicated Careers and Employability Team.

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

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.