9781422271087

a role in how juries are selected for criminal trials and how they are instructed. They can also testify about a defendant’s mental state during the commission of a crime or serve as expert witnesses in both criminal and civil legal proceedings. Finally, they can provide clinical services to people who are involved in the criminal justice system, from victims of violent crime to people who have been incarcerated. What Attributes Do Criminal Psychologists Need? Criminal psychologists share traits with other psychologists, but some traits are more important in criminal psychology than they may be for other fields of psychology, including psychologists engaged in pure research or those who work in business and marketing. Strong communication skills are essential in criminal psychology. Criminal psychologists need to be able to communicate with many types of people, from inmates in penal facilities to crime victims. They can also work closely with attorneys, correctional officers, and law enforcement officers. If their jobs involve expert testimony, they need to be able to speak clearly and concisely in court. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology identifies four additional important traits for criminal psychologists: • Objectivity or the ability to separate their own feelings from the work at hand • Critical thinking skills, including analyzing research, making informed decisions, and determining reliability of testimony • Attention to detail and careful observations • Compassion and empathy

Chapter 1: Becoming a Criminal Psychologist

13