Criminal psychology is the study of the motivations and behaviors of offenders. It is also the application of psychological knowledge to the investigative process. Various factors contribute to the development of a criminal profile, including genetics, life circumstances, personality traits and social dynamics.

The main goal of criminal psychology is to understand the psyche of the person accused of a crime. In order to do this, psychologists often perform tests, conduct interviews, and examine forensic data and statistics. By doing so, they can assess whether or not the defendant is fit to stand trial. They can also recommend ways to cross-examine witnesses and estimate the risk of reoffending.

Psychologists who work with offenders in mental health institutions often rely on their expertise to help the incarcerated overcome their crimes. Some people commit violent or aggressive crimes due to mental illnesses, such as depression, anger, or psychosis. Other people commit crimes for other reasons, such as a refusal to accept authority.

The criminal psychology profession can be extremely rewarding. As a trained forensic psychologist, you can work for law enforcement, municipal and state police agencies, and even the FBI. However, it is important to maintain your mental strength while working with convicted criminals.

You will be required to have a master’s or doctorate degree in the field before becoming a criminal psychologist. Most master’s programs take two to three years to complete. Depending on the program, you may need to also complete a year-long internship before you can begin practicing. A PhD takes four to six years to complete. During this time, you may also need to undergo postdoctoral training. This type of training is designed to give you a better understanding of the profession and prepare you for future work.

You will be expected to complete a criminal psychology PhD program that requires a personal statement, a dissertation, and a research project. You will also need to complete a year-long full-time internship. During this time, you will gain a great deal of experience in the field. Upon completion of your doctorate, you will be able to provide psychological services to clients, teach, and conduct research.

In addition to studying criminals’ behaviors and assessing their mental health, you may also testify in court. For example, you might recommend that a defendant undergo anger management classes or undergo a psychometric test to illustrate points. These methods can be useful in evaluating whether or not the defendant is capable of understanding his or her charges.

Criminal psychologists are responsible for providing advice to law enforcement agencies. In particular, they may testify about the defendant’s behavior and state of mind, as well as the likelihood that he or she will reoffend. Their findings may also be helpful in identifying potential suspects, catching a serial criminal, and preventing future crimes.

As you consider a career in criminal psychology, it is important to know how the job is different from a forensic psychologist. Many audiences have misconceptions about the differences between the two. While forensic psychiatry and criminal psychology are not necessarily the same, they do share similar traits and are closely related.