What topics does legal psychology deal with?
According to the advanced training to become a specialist psychologist for legal psychology according to BDP / DGPS, legal psychology topics can be assigned to the following 7 areas of application:
Questions in the main criminal proceedings
This area of inquiry encompasses questions concerning the criminal responsibility of offenders, the developmental maturity of adolescent and juvenile offenders, and the prognosis for the placement of convicted offenders in a psychiatric hospital. These questions are based on Sections 20 and 21 of the German Criminal Code (StGB), which define the negation or limitation of criminal responsibility in cases of significant mental disorders. In such cases, the courts are usually required to consult a psychiatric or psychological expert.
Criminal enforcement proceedings and psychological work in the penal and preventive detention system
This area of expertise encompasses questions concerning the assessment of dangerousness in offenders. Psychological experts are consulted to provide forecasts of the offender’s future dangerousness. Furthermore, the scope of psychological work in the penal and correctional system includes questions regarding the suitability for relaxed conditions and the future rehabilitation planning of offenders.
Questions of testimony psychology
Experts in the psychology of testimony are appointed by the court when the judge’s expertise is insufficient to assess the experiential basis of a witness statement. The expert’s task is to examine, based on hypotheses, whether the statement in question could have been obtained through means other than experiential basis – for example, through suggestion or intentional perjury.
Family law issues
Family courts commission psychological experts when they lack the necessary expertise to make a decision regarding parental custody and visitation rights that is best suited to safeguarding the child’s welfare. This also includes questions about the existence of a risk to the child’s welfare in connection with the question of whether the child needs to be removed from the parental home. Similarly, in cases of taking a child into protective custody, the family court may commission the expert to evaluate the possibility of the child’s return to the parental home. Less frequently, family courts commission psychological experts to address questions concerning adoption or name changes of children.
Other legal issues
Other legal issues that cannot be assigned to any of the above areas include, for example, social law issues concerning employability, weapons law issues concerning suitability for handling weapons, and issues within the framework of proceedings under the Victims’ Compensation Act.
Overall, legal psychologists deal with psychological issues within various legal fields that arise in court proceedings or administrative law decisions (Wegener, 1981).
How do I become a forensic psychologist?
If the court lacks the necessary expertise to answer a question, it is free to appoint an expert. The choice of expert rests with the court. However, it is important that the appointed expert must verify whether the task falls within their field of expertise and whether they possess the necessary competence to answer the questions at hand.
To demonstrate these competencies, a degree in psychology with a focus on legal psychology is perfectly sufficient. If such a degree has not been completed, there is the option of pursuing further training to become a specialist psychologist in legal psychology (BDP/DGPs). The only requirement for this is a master’s degree in psychology. The training requires attendance at theoretical seminars as well as proof of practical experience in the form of professional experience and individual and group supervision sessions. However, supervision of expert reports is essential for those just starting out in the profession, regardless of their qualifications. One advantage of this training is that it can be completed very effectively while working.
Finally, it should be noted that forensic psychology degree programs are neither long-established nor widely available. Therefore, it is not surprising that psychological experts with more experience acquired their qualifications through years of practical work. However, for those interested in a career in forensic psychology, it is highly recommended to take advantage of existing continuing education opportunities to demonstrate their expertise to clients.
In summary, it can be said that:
- To work as a forensic psychological expert, a master’s degree in psychology is required, preferably a master’s degree with a specialization in forensic psychology. Master’s programs with a specialization in forensic psychology are offered at the following universities:
- Medical School Hamburg (MSH)
- Medical School Berlin (MSB)
- Open University in Hagen
- Berlin School of Psychology
- University of Bonn
- University of Konstanz
- Maastricht University
- Further training as a specialist psychologist for legal psychology (BDP/DGPs) is highly recommended; however, this can be completed while working. Further information about this training can be found on the DGPs website. Visit Website.
How do I start my career?
Legal psychologists rarely work as employees. Most legal psychologists are self-employed and join a group practice, receiving assignments and access to office space through these groups.
Joining a group practice or finding a suitable supervisor should always be the first step for new professionals, since, firstly, acquiring clients is difficult without a reputation at the court, and secondly, the first expert opinions should all be supervised by experienced colleagues.
Rechtspsychologie.online can help you find suitable practices and colleagues. You can specifically filter for colleagues who are looking for interns or offering apprenticeships. Once you have gained sufficient professional experience, you are, of course, free to open your own practice at any time.
Overall, the first steps for those starting their careers should therefore be:
- Complete an M.Sc. degree in Psychology (preferably with a focus on legal psychology)
- Registration for further training as a specialist psychologist for legal psychology (BDP/DGPs). Register Now
- Search for a shared practice or a supervisor under whose supervision initial expert opinion assignments can be accepted.
- Practicing legal psychology and simultaneously attending seminars as part of continuing education
