Psychology is a fulfilling field with many applications that better the lives of others. As a criminal psychologist, you have the unique opportunity to help both victims and perpetrators of crimes.
While the day-to-day routine of a criminal psychologist is often not as heart-pounding as television shows and movies make it out to be, it’s nonetheless an exciting career that offers many benefits to you. As with any job, though, there are some downsides.
If you’re unsure if being a criminal psychologistis the right career for you, this guide will help you decide.
Advantages of Being a Criminal Psychologist
You Can Help Police Find Criminals
One of the most exciting aspects of this job is criminal profiling. As a criminal psychologist, you might examine the details of the crime, consider the perpetrator’s behaviour, and research the demographic information of perpetrators of similar crimes to develop a profile.
Based on that, you can give police a general idea of the type of person they’re looking for – including the likely age, gender, and race of the accused.
With this information, police can narrow their search and increase the odds of finding the person of interest. Needless to say, your contributions to this effort are crucial – and highly valuable for the safety of the community.
You Can Assist Victims of Crime, Too
Another benefit of this career is that you have the chance to work with victims of crimes and help them begin the process of healing.
In some cases, you might help prepare a victim for testimony in court. In other cases, you might offer counselling services to the victim of a crime. Depending on where you work, you might be a “first responder” and provide trauma therapy to victims in the immediate aftermath of the ordeal.
No matter your role with the victim, your care, empathy, and training will provide much-needed support in a very difficult time.
This is a Highly Varied Job
One of the things that makes this such an exciting job is that there are so many tasks for which you might be responsible.
As noted above, you might undertake criminal profiling, counselling for victims, or work with victims to prepare them for testimony.
In addition to that, you might conduct original research, consult with barristers for case preparation, and provide expert testimony in court.
If you like having a job in which no two days are alike, this is a great option!
You Can Work in a Host of Settings
The excitement of this career is matched by its flexibility. With the proper training, you can work in any number of areas, from private practice to the Ministry of Defence.
For example, you might start a private practice and offer your services on a consultation basis to various agencies. You might consult with a local police force to develop a criminal profile or a Magistrate court to provide your opinion about a defendant’s ability to stand trial.
As another example, you might work for the Ministry of Defence or the Home Office and provide insight into suspected criminals and their activities that help track, arrest, and detain persons of interest.
These are but a few examples of what you can do as a criminal psychologist. Each seems more exciting than the next!
Disadvantages of Being a Criminal Psychologist
Heavy Workload
Though it’s a good thing to have consistent work, criminal psychologists can have a very hectic schedule and a heavy workload. This is especially true if you work a lot with attorneys and court systems.
For example, you might work as a consultant for a barrister in one case and for a solicitor in another case. Working multiple cases at the same time increases job-related stress and extends your working hours. While this situation is likely rare, it can be difficult to balance the needs of too many clients at the same time.
Likewise, there might be times when you’re called to help in an emergency situation. This can take you away from personal time with friends and family and further diminish your ability to disconnect from work and mentally recharge.
You Often See the Worst Elements of Society
As a criminal psychologist, you’ll have days when you see and hear nothing but terrible things. You’ll listen to victims’ accounts of crimes, see crime scene photos, and explore the details of horrible crimes.
These experiences can easily bring you down. You might have an elevated stress level, a depressed mood, and feel anxious. At times, you might even feel like you’re powerless to help those that need it most.
However, you’ll have many days when you get to experience the joy of helping get a criminal off the street or helping the victim of a crime take another positive step forward. It isn’t all doom and gloom – you just need to focus on the positive aspects of this most important career.
