Forensic psychology has little to do with crime profiling as seen on television. Working as a forensic psychologist is both rewarding and challenging as you gain insight into the complexities of the ‘criminal mind’.
We caught up with Dr Nicholas Longpré, programme leader for our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology degree, to explore the challenges and rewards of forensic psychology.
Can you tell us about your academic journey that shaped your expertise?
I studied my undergraduate degree, my Masters degree and my doctorate degree at the University of Montreal in Canada. Early on, my interests were on the causes of crime and the role of personality. After my PhD, I moved to the USA to complete a postdoctorate degree in the Boston area at Brandeis University with Professor Ray Knight. Following my postdoctorate degree, I got an offer to move to London to develop a new Masters degree in forensic psychology. I helped to develop, and lead that programme for 3 years, before moving to Edge Hill University.
My interest in forensic psychology started as an undergraduate student. I was interested in what are the causes that can explain why an individual has transgressed all the psychological barriers that we are supposed to have and has committed some of the worst behaviours we can imagine. Since then, I have focused my research on violent and sexual offending, with a main focus on sexual violence. I have also worked in a high secure psychiatric hospital and in high-security prisons, with violent and sexual offenders for a number of years.
Can you explain what forensic psychology is and why it is important?
Most people think about criminal profiling, but forensic psychology is a broad area. Forensic psychology is focusing on trying to understand psychological problems associated with criminal behaviour using psychological theories, it has little to do with crime profiling as seen on television.
On our forensic psychology degree here at Edge Hill, you will explore the important role of psychology in the criminal justice system and understand the ‘criminal mind’. You will study psychological approaches to offending profiling and the links between criminal behaviour and mental health. You will investigate different areas by focusing on the ‘why’. Why do some people commit such severe acts of violence? You will also focus on the ‘how’. How can we reduce the risk of people giving false confessions and improve eye-witnesses testimony? How do reduce the risk of reoffending?
In the UK, forensic psychology is a protected title by law. Only those registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) can legally call themselves (and practice as) a forensic psychologist.
What do forensic psychologists do and what settings do they work in?
Forensic psychologists work in many different settings and work with all aspects of the criminal justice system. They can work in prisons, probation, with the police, or with the NHS. They can also work with external support for victims or perpetrators before, during or after a sentence. They usually specialise on a population (juvenile vs adult’s offenders; sexual violence vs terrorism).
Forensic psychologists work with people, usually on a one-on-one basis. The cases they work with are usually determined by their workplace and their expertise. They might be called to conduct a psychological assessment and write a clinical report that will be used during a trial, to conduct risk assessments in prison, or to deliver a specific treatment program such as Horizon which is delivered to men convicted of sexual offence.
While forensic psychologists are usually doing one type of task at a time, their roles can change across their career. Forensic psychologists are rarely static. For example, when I started my career, I was conducting psychosexual assessments of men accused of sexual offence. These reports were requested by a judge and needed for the trial. Later in my career, I started to deliver a treatment programme for men who were released in the community after serving a sentence for sexual offence. Now, I am teaching and conducting research on sexual violence and violent behaviours.
What is the typical path to becoming a forensic psychologist?
If you are interested in studying criminal behaviour and the reasons behind it and helping people who have committed offences, then becoming a forensic psychologist could be the career path for you. A typical path to become a forensic psychologist involves two stages. For stage one you would need to gain an undergraduate degree in psychology (or joint programme) that is accredited by The British Psychological Society (BPS) then progress to an accredited postgraduate Masters in forensic psychology that is also BPS accredited. Stage two of a typical career path would then involve either a Forensic Psychology Practice Doctorate (ForenPsyD) or two years minimum supervised practice on an HCPC approved course.
What are some career options in forensic psychology?
This is a broad area, and it really depends on your professional interests and in which area you want to specialise. Do you want to work with children and juvenile, or with the adult population? Do you want to work with victims or perpetrators? Do you prefer a more strict but more supported work setting like His Majesty’s Prison Service, or do you prefer to have more professional flexibility and work in the community? This is what determines in which area of forensic psychology you will work.
Forensic psychologists work with all aspects of the criminal justice system, and most are working with the police, prison and probation services (HMPPS), young offender institutions, or specialist NHS mental health settings (secure hospitals). But there are many other areas where forensic psychologists are needed and where you can work.
Being a forensic psychologist is a gratifying job, where you can have a real impact and be a catalyst for change. However, this is also a demanding job, and it will challenge you. It is important to develop a good work-life balance, healthy coping mechanisms and practice self-care. This is why you will need extensive training under supervision.
Could you tell us more about your research interests?
I initially developed my interest in research when I was studying for my Masters degree. For me, it was a lightbulb moment, observing the difference between research in theory and research in the real world. My research interests focus on sexual violence (harassment, coercion, rape, sadistic rape, sexual homicide); stalking; paraphilias, and atypical sexual interests; terrorism, incels, and radicalisation; causes of crime.
I have completed research on stalking, and its relationship with sexual violence and domestic violence. This project is leading to a long-term project on the assessment of risk of stalking and how we can improve tools for police force and practitioners.
I have also published a paper with other colleagues from Edge Hill University on the effectiveness of the Onside programme delivered by the Liverpool Football Club Foundation. Some recent research papers I have worked on, have focused on sexual harassment and sexual coercion in the general population, and the role of stalking in cases of sexual homicide. Some of these publications have been the results of a collaboration with my students.
Research and teaching – getting students involved
Research and evidence-based approaches are at the centre of my teaching and the curriculum of our BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology degree. What we teach is the result of research, and good clinical practice cannot exist without research, they go hand in hand. Our teaching team have extensive real-world experience, we are research active, we know how to blend research, theory and practice in a holistic way.
You will have the opportunity to be involved in research projects during your studies in different ways. You will have different modules on research and ethics, where you will learn the basis of research, that will lead to your third-year dissertation. You will also have the chance to take part in extra-curricular activities such as being research assistant via our Research Internship Scheme, or to help or observe researchers in the psychology department.
Our forensic psychology degree will incorporate the latest research findings into the curriculum in different ways. The content will be tailored to the latest evidence-based knowledge. Psychology has rich a history, and its foundation started hundreds of years ago. However, it is an ever-evolving discipline, and new research findings are at the very heart of our curriculum.
Forensic psychology at Edge Hill University
In order to understand offending behaviours, a forensic psychologist needs to understand human behaviours, therefore general psychology is essential. Psychology is a science, and by joining our forensic psychology programme you will develop your research skills and learn about the importance of evidence-based approaches.
The BSc (Hons) Psychology with Forensic Psychology at Edge Hill University is a blend of general psychology and forensic psychology. You will learn about psychosocial development, how we develop our personality and identity, how experiences can shape a person, and what are the underlying processes at all stages. You will learn how to apply your knowledge in a forensic context and develop your research skills on a forensic topic of your choice in your third-year dissertation.
You will have access to our state-of-the-art research labs, placements and volunteering opportunities to develop your practical skills, career events, networking sessions, research lunch talks and other events. You will graduate with a good blend of research and practical skills and will have a competitive advantage when applying for your first job opportunity in this field or to carry on to the stage one training.
October 23, 2024
