Types of Forensic Psychology Jobs. Professionals turn to forensic psychology, a branch of psychology, to help victims of crimes receive justice. You can work in a variety of settings in this sector, including legal firms, correctional facilities, and counseling offices. You can choose the position that is best for you and your professional objectives by being aware of the various positions that are possible in the field of forensic psychology.
In this post, we define forensic psychology, present a list of 20 forensic psychology careers you might want to think about pursuing depending on your interests and educational background, and provide pay and work description details.
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What is forensic psychology?
A branch of psychology called forensic psychology focuses on how people behave and how the law works. People in this sector frequently collaborate with other experts, like lawyers and judges. They can apply their understanding of research techniques and psychology tools to legal situations when they are out in the field working. By conducting programs for persons involved in crimes and psychological studies on them, these specialists can collaborate with legal and law enforcement teams to aid in investigations.
20 types of forensic psychology jobs
1. Correctional officer
- $37,457 is the average yearly wage in the country.
A correctional officer’s primary responsibilities include upholding the law and preserving order at institutions for correction, such as jails and prisons. They can keep an eye on the inmates’ actions during their shifts to make sure they’re safe and following the rules of the facility. To make sure it’s clean and safe, they could also check the prisoner’s cells and common spaces. They can also assist in securely resolving disagreements between prisoners.
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2. Victim advocate
The national average pay for victim advocates is $42,424 a year.
The main responsibilities of victim advocates are to assist victims in navigating the criminal justice system. They are in charge of making sure people making decisions concerning investigations can hear the victim’s voice clearly. These experts also assist by informing the victim about their rights and offering them with useful information.
3. Research Assistant
- The national average pay for a research assistant is $42,980 per year.
Primary responsibilities: A research assistant is a professional that collaborates with other researchers and supports them by gathering the supplementary data needed for their job. Their bosses may assign them the responsibility of organizing research initiatives, scheduling interviews, and developing surveys to gather data. They can jot down notes and produce summaries for other researchers to read after interviews. To ensure accuracy, they could also carry out peer evaluations.
4. Law enforcement officer
- $44,028 annually is the average pay in the country.
Law enforcement personnel’ primary responsibilities include responding to calls for assistance while on patrol. They can react to a variety of scenarios, including robberies, fires, and traffic. They learn during their training how to detain individuals and bring them in for questioning, either on their own or with the assistance of other law enforcement personnel.
5. Juvenile correctional officer
- $44,239 is the average yearly wage in the country.
A juvenile correctional officer’s main responsibilities include maintaining the security and upholding the law in juvenile detention institutions. They are responsible for carrying out cell searches, updating the juvenile’s relatives on developments, and communicating information to them. These experts can discuss the youngster with other members of law enforcement, their peers, and attorneys.
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6. Probation officer
- Payout average: $47,118 year.
Probation officers are specialists who deal with people who have spent time in detention centers like jails and prisons. They give them tools to assist them reintegrate into society and make sure they fulfill the terms of their probation, which include attending any court-ordered classes and looking for work to support themselves. They can also conduct drug tests and meet with the person frequently to check on how they’re doing.
7. Journalist
- The national average income for journalists is $48,240 per year.
A journalist’s main responsibilities are to conduct interviews and produce news articles about current events, frequently about specific themes. A forensic journalist can speak with victims’ families, witnesses, and other legal experts to better comprehend a story and get more information from the people who were there. They can publish their articles online for readers to read and learn more about cases, as well as in regional or national news broadcasts.
8. Social worker
- The national average pay for social workers is $52,507 per year.
Social workers’ main responsibilities are to safeguard children and their families by giving them access to services that will help them live better lives. To determine whether the atmosphere is suitable for the child, these professionals might interview children in their homes and listen to their stories. Additionally, they can offer other priceless services like community housing and employment options for the parents, as well as required therapy or counseling for the family and the child.
9. Forensic specialist
- The national average compensation for forensic specialists is $54,552 annually.
A forensic specialist’s main responsibilities include applying scientific and forensic principles to criminal situations. With the aid of the techniques they employ, investors may be able to analyze, classify, and identify evidence in a criminal case, which could advance the case’s resolution. They might be employed in a lab setting where they can do tests on materials recovered from crime scenes and produce results.
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10. Jury consultant
- Typical annual pay in the United States: $56,806
Principal responsibilities: Jury consultants assist attorneys by assisting with case and trial preparation. They may also have to complete background checks on potential jurors, organize mock trial runs for attorneys to rehearse their cases, and investigate the case and the person they are representing.
11. Crime analyst
The national average compensation for a crime analyst is $58,374 per year.
Primary responsibilities: A crime analyst is a specialist who collaborates with law enforcement personnel to aid in the investigation and resolution of crimes. They can also assist in developing procedures and measures that could help reduce the likelihood of similar crimes occurring in the future. To help the general people learn about crime prevention and how to recognize criminal patterns around them, these professionals may also develop workshops and tools.
12. Professor
- The average pay in the country is $59,063 annually.
Principal responsibilities: Professors are experts who educate students about a subject using their knowledge, frequently in college and university settings. A professor of forensic psychology creates their lesson plans, grades their students’ homework, tests, and projects, and teaches those who need it. These experts can also go to trade shows and produce reports on their work to present to other experts in the field.
13. Forensics manager
- The national average compensation for a forensics manager is $60,280.
A forensics manager’s main responsibilities include managing the activities of testing and trial-related laboratories. They are able to compile court documents on people who abuse drugs or do various forms of damage to the neighborhood or themselves. Additionally, they can promptly manage routine laboratory operations and assist the team in problem-solving scenarios.
14. Psychology associate
- The national average compensation for a psychology associate is $63,082 annually.
Primary responsibilities: Psychology associates are medical experts who provide patient care by assessing their health and creating customized treatments. They can carry out fundamental therapy on individuals of different ages and mental health issues. Professionals in this position may also gather diverse client data and do research to find the most effective treatment strategy for each person.
15. Researcher
- Average annual pay in the United States: $72,051.
Primary responsibilities: A researcher is a professional who gathers, examines, and interprets data in a clear manner for other professionals in the business to assess. They can forecast trends or make discoveries about cases by studying forensic psychology practices and evidence, which they can then share with those working on the case. They are also in charge of fact-checking their own work.
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16. Clinical director
- The national average income for a clinical director is $81,101 annually.
Clinical directors are medical professionals that supervise the activities of their staff across a range of clinic sizes. The clinical directors assist in creating the plans necessary to carry out the goals they create with their team for the facility. Additionally, they collaborate with their staff to develop the appropriate treatment plans depending on the requirements and conditions of the client in order to ensure that the facility’s patients are receiving the finest care possible.
17. Forensic analyst
- National average yearly salary: $84,583
Primary responsibilities: A forensic analyst is a specialist who gathers evidence from crime sites in order to properly analyze the incident. They can uncover more information about the perpetrator and the victim by examining the evidence. They can gather the data and distribute it to other experts working on the issue. They can decide which suspects they can rule out of the crime by examining the evidence.
18. Detective
- The national average compensation for a detective is 87,387 dollars.
A detective’s main responsibilities are to collect information and evidence from crime scenes. To reconstruct what happened at a crime scene, they can collaborate with members of other law enforcement agencies, forensic investigators, and their detective team. They can also speak with the victim’s family members, suspects, and witnesses.
19. Criminal investigator
- The national average compensation for a criminal investigator is $91,810 annually.
Criminal investigators are experts who are similar to detectives in that they gather evidence from a crime scene and make an effort to solve the case. These experts may work for the federal government to look into and resolve more complicated federal cases. Participating in raids, speaking with witnesses, and producing criminal record reports with investigation data are some more tasks.
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20. Clinical psychologist
- $96,318 per year is the average pay in the country.
Clinical psychologists’ main responsibilities are to assess their patients’ mental health and create treatment programs alongside them to help them get well. These specialists work in clinical settings and address challenging human diseases utilizing their scientific knowledge. They can frequently work with their customers to better understand them and show them their abilities in spite of their circumstances.
FAQs on Types of Forensic Psychology Jobs
What is the most common job for a forensic psychologist?
Most forensic psychologists work in prisons, government and law enforcement agencies, rehabilitation centers, courts, or private practice.
What are some forensic psychology questions?
Could you give me a detailed explanation of how you would detect malingering?
How do you put your feelings aside to assess patients objectively?
Could you explain in detail how you assess individuals' recidivism risk?
What tools do forensic psychologists use?
Forensic psychologists use testing when indicated or necessary. Specifically, they use standardized tests and assessment tools (i.e., checklists and questionnaires) to measure a person's behavior, cognitive abilities, academic skills, and emotional functioning.
What are challenging aspects of forensic psychology?
You might develop the inability to sleep, body aches and pains, and even experience bouts of depression and anxiety as a result of this very difficult and challenging line of work. This is not work for the faint of heart, either. Many forensic psychologists work on court cases and appear as expert witnesses.
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