{"id":164,"date":"2019-04-01T19:46:22","date_gmt":"2019-04-01T19:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.calbaptist.edu\/cshb\/?p=164"},"modified":"2021-03-09T06:47:29","modified_gmt":"2021-03-09T06:47:29","slug":"forensic-psychology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.calbaptist.edu\/cshb\/2019\/04\/01\/forensic-psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"Forensic Psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The camera captures a shadowy figure, cloaked by night,\nwatching from the cover of trees, with the steady gaze of a predator he tracks\nhis prey. Anticipation builds in the audience as he leaps upon his unsuspecting\nvictim! Cue ominous background music. Camera pans to the obviously deceased,\nyet beautiful face of a woman, statuesque, languidly posed over a crushed\nvelvet chaise in an expansive, immaculate home. Hair perfect, skin flawless,\nlipstick meticulously smeared, delicately inferring the indecencies that\noccurred before her untimely demise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Steven Van on Unsplash<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

For the next 45 minutes, quirky, good-looking, gun wielding geniuses\ncome together to solve the crime. With mind-blowing expertise and witty banter,\nthey identify the murderer, down to personality pathology, height, weight, shoe\nsize, and favorite ice cream. Captivated fans of shows such as these often ask\nif being a forensic psychologist is anything like what is portrayed on\ntelevision. While I want to say, \u201cYES!  Of\ncourse I solve crimes within about an hour with my obvious genius and wit\u201d\n(please read sarcasm). Sadly, I am merely human, with a desire to help, more\nquestions than answers, and a penchant for hoarding as much information and research\nas I can. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Jacob Morch<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Forensic psychology is a broad field that encompasses both psychology and law. Psychologists can work in a variety of settings ranging between research and practice. On the research end of the spectrum, forensic psychologists may work within academic settings: teaching, and researching any aspect of the field. Whereas, those working within applied forensic psychology have a myriad opportunities to provide treatment, evaluation, and expert testimony in any setting in which psychology interacts with the law. Some psychologists decide to work within law enforcement where they can help police officers and provide pre-employment evaluations, trainings, and crisis management. Other psychologists may work with judges and attorneys, providing consultations, psychological evaluations, and expert testimony. While others may decide to work in prisons, providing inmates with much needed treatment, evaluation, and parole recommendations. There are many more opportunities, but I am told I have a word limit. \ud83d\ude42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The graduate Forensic Psychology program<\/a> at CBU allows students the opportunity to learn from instructors who are all active in the academic and applied field of forensic psychology. Our program is unique and diverse, providing students the opportunity to conduct research and explore application through one-year practicum placements. Students are introduced to the FBI, Secret Service, National Center of Missing and Exploited Children, and various other organizations, which allow for internship opportunities and career development. Students in the program are engaged in a rigorous academic program that challenges them both professionally and personally. When students graduate the program, we hope that they leave with more questions than answers, with the tools to explore, and the compassion to meet people at their humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by NeONBRAND<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I happen to work within both academic and applied settings.\nIn the academic spectrum, I am able to teach within CBU\u2019s graduate forensic\npsychology programs and I conduct research on psychopathy and psychotic\ndisorders. The courses I teach range from Advanced Psychopathology and\nCriminality, Biological Bases of Behavior, to Research Methods and Criminal\nProfiling. On the applied front, I provide treatment and evaluations for\nindividuals who have been convicted of sexual offenses, conduct and present\nresearch and trainings, as well as act as a consultant for active cases that\nrequire psychological profiling. My education and career has afforded me\nopportunities that I could have never imagined. My education and career has\nafforded me opportunities that I could have never imagined. As I continually\nconfront new and complicated questions born out of forensic psychology, I have\nopportunities to learn, develop new understanding, and participate in the\nresearch that helps me and others address important issues facing our society. To\nbe sure, there are times that I feel overwhelmed and frightened by what I see\nand hear. However, in exploring the darkness of humanity, I am constantly\nreminded of all the goodness, hidden in the strangest of places. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Andrew Neel<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Forensic Psychology is not for everyone and that is OK! However, it is a field that you will do well in if you have an inquisitive mind, a compassionate heart, an amazing (sometimes-dark) sense of humor, can roll with the punches (sometimes literal\u2026 depending on where you work) and strength in grace. I hope that this post shed a little light on the field. Should you read this and have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your friendly, neighborhood Forensic Psychologists!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

—<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jenny E. Aguilar, PsyD is an Assistant Professor of Psychology who has been teaching in the Graduate Forensic Psychology Program at CBU for the last 7 years. She is also a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, who works in a private forensic practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the other posts in the series here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Introducing the Graduate School Blog Series: A Story<\/a><\/blockquote>