Forensic psychology is a term used to describe a broad and growing range of research topics and applications that address human behavior in the legal system. Forensic psychologists participate as scientists, trial consultants, advocates, critics, expert witnesses, and policy advisers. In so doing, they work not only in research laboratories and mental health clinics but also in police stations, courtrooms, prisons, juvenile detention facilities, and other legal settings.

Although there is a great deal of overlap, there are two types of forensic psychologists: research scientists and clinical practitioners. Trained in the principles and methods of basic psychology, forensic researchers study a wide range of issues, such as group dynamics as it applies to how juries deliberate and make decisions; the processes of perception and memory as ...