Have you ever come across movies of high-profile criminals horrifying the audience with their heinous crimes, leaving no clues behind and creating suspense in the film till the end? Are you among those who are always fascinated by books and movies that show how profilers and investigation departments catch culprits and solve the cases? These officers may sound like knights saving the kingdom from monsters, but in reality, they need great courage, strength, and a fearless attitude actually to deal with criminals and the crime they do.
Crime rates are increasing every day, and although crime officers and law enforcers ensure its prevention every single day, there is something that they are unable to identify. The reason someone becomes a criminal, the psychology of criminal behavior, and how a criminal mind ultimately works. This is where “Criminal Psychology” comes to the surface.
Let’s understand in simple words about this term, eligibility to pursue Criminal psychology, job roles, and overall scope in this fascinating subject. If you are not merely a book or a movie enthusiast and have a deep passion for contributing to the field of Crime and Psychology, this blog is made just for you!
What Is Criminal Psychology?
In simple words, Criminal psychology is a field of study that deals with understanding criminal behavior and why people commit crimes. It is an interdisciplinary field that combines elements of psychology, criminology, sociology, and law. It provides insight into the motivations behind criminal behavior, psychological causes involved in criminal thinking, an understanding of why people commit certain types of crime, and its prevention for the future. By understanding criminal behavior, we can develop better strategies for tackling crime and reducing its impact on our communities.
The history of criminal psychology can be traced back to early theories about why people commit crimes, including theories from philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle. Over time, these theories evolved into more sophisticated models that incorporate elements from both psychology and sociology to understand criminal behavior better. As we know, it is a new specialization, so there are no major historical events that happened in the history of Criminal Psychology. Yet its roots can be traced from America, parts of Britain, Europe, and Russia. Some well-known Criminal Psychologists who have contributed to this field are Alfred Binet, William Stern, and Hugo Munsterberg.
The history of Criminal Psychology in India can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was first introduced as a branch of psychology in Indian universities. The first department of experimental psychology was established at Calcutta University (1916). After which, Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology & Forensic Science (Also called NFSU) came up in Delhi in 1972.
Since then, it has developed in many ways, with various theories being proposed and practiced by Indian scholars. In modern times, criminal psychology has become an essential tool for law enforcement agencies to understand criminals and their motives better. It also helps in formulating effective strategies to prevent crime and reduce its effects on society. With this, Criminal psychology has become a fascinating area of study that has been gaining more attention in recent years.
Who Is Eligible For This Field?
How to become a Criminal Psychologist? Eligibility for criminal psychology jobs depends on a variety of factors such as education level, experience, specialized knowledge, and licensing requirements. It is essential to have an understanding of the criminal justice system in order to be successful in this field. Additionally, it is necessary for criminal psychologists to have excellent communication skills and a passion for helping those who have committed crimes.
For students pursuing Criminal Psychology in India, they can take a bachelor’s or master’s degree, which a few universities offer. The UG course of criminology is usually three years or focuses on fields like Psychology, Science, And Criminal Justice. To enroll in a PG course, you have to complete graduation and obtain a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Do a master’s degree in Criminal Psychology or a Psychology degree by taking it as a specialization, or opt for a Diploma course. For a Ph.D. or Psy.D. degree, you can opt for Counselling or Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Criminal or Forensic Psychology.
Your Role As A Criminal Psychologist
Through the years, Criminal Psychologists have studied various aspects of crime, such as motives, causes, and effects. They have also developed theories to explain criminal behavior, such as the psychodynamic theory and the social learning theory. With this knowledge, Criminal Psychologists can help law enforcement officers better understand criminals and their motivations. A few roles and responsibilities that are involved in the field of Crime Psychology are as follows:
- It includes a lot of research that enables Psychologists and legal authorities to understand crime, criminal intent, and criminal behavior scientifically.
- Standardized psychological tests are used in Criminal Psychology to help in identification of criminals and understanding criminal behavior.
- Counseling and intervention for criminals and victims also play an essential role, which is made to control criminal behavior. For, e.g., correction homes for children who were found guilty.
- A Criminal Psychologist is required to assist police and legal authorities during investigation of a case by developing a Psychological profile of frequent offenders and investigating reasons as to what led and resulted in such behavior.
- Lastly, they are required to check and verify the mental illness certificate produced by criminals and provide interventions and counseling to improve their condition.
Career Scope
Criminal Psychology is a growing field in India as the number of crime rates is increasing, making it automatically a need of an hour in the legal system. A person who seeks a career in Criminal Psychology can have many options to become. They can become law enforcement officers or investigating officers. The salary package differs from INR 1.5 lakh per annum for freshers to INR 30 lakh per annum for those who become experienced in this field.
If you have decided to become a Criminal Psychologist, you must be aware of the fact that it requires abundant courage and understanding towards crime and criminals. You must be well versed in handling critical situations with problem-solving skills, as there will be criminals with different mindsets and behavior patterns. Also, communication skills must be taken into consideration.
Some Top Universities That Offers Criminal Psychology Program
| University/Institution | Location | Programs Offered |
|---|---|---|
| National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) | Gandhinagar, Delhi | M.Sc. Forensic Psychology, M.A. Criminology |
| Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) | Ahmedabad | M.A. / M.Sc. in Forensic Psychology, M.A. / M.Sc. in Criminology |
| National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) | Bangalore | M.Phil. in Clinical Psychology (with forensic specialization), Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (with forensic applications) |
| University of Mumbai (Department of Psychology) | Mumbai | M.A. in Forensic Psychology |
| Sardar Patel University of Police, Security, and Criminal Justice | Jodhpur | M.Sc. Forensic Psychology, Advanced Forensic Psychology courses |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Mumbai | M.A. Criminology and Justice |
Conclusion
If you wish to pursue Criminal Psychology as a career, the future is bright. Whether you dream of working in CBI, talking with criminals in real settings, or handling several juvenile cases, your journey to this path will require significant effort. As a beginner, you must read criminal psychology books, do extensive research, do internships in practical settings, and select the correct intuition that meets your requirements.
I hope you all gained some insights into this field. I wish all the best to all aspiring Criminal Psychologists who are pursuing this as their career path. 🙂
Check our previous blog on “Best Online Courses Related To Psychology – ICS” and stay tuned for more such interesting blogs!