Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a psychology undergraduate with plans to enter the field, these websites are jam-packed with valuable resources and useful information. Forensic psychologists are detectives; much of their work involves research and analysis. Some are independent consultants; others work in law firms, government agencies, prisons, rehabs and police departments. Forensic psychologists can be found at crime scenes collecting evidence that will help law enforcement to prosecute a defendant. They also appear in court to present expert testimony for lawyers who are defending clients. Here are five forensic psychology websites where you can learn about everything from finding the right Ph.D. program to conducting your first serious job search.
1. Forensic Anthropology Consulting Services
Forensic anthropology is a branch of forensic psychology that specializes in bones. Forensic anthropologists may be called in to identify human remains in mass graves or to work at other sites where bones are the primary evidence. Forensic anthropologists may conduct body searches, provide legal testimony in a court of law, or work with others on body search and recovery efforts. Forensic anthropologists sometimes work in law enforcement agencies, but those with considerable experience may choose to work independently as consultants.
2. Strange Remains
You don’t have to be a forensic psychologist or a forensic anthropologist to enjoy all the off-the-beaten-path information packed into the Strange Remains website. Here, you’ll find a steady supply of weird forensic psychology blogs and articles about the most unusual crime scenes ever encountered. Learn all about body snatching and the morbid history of Harvard Medical School, or read the shocking story about Belle Gunness, an infamous serial killer in La Porte, IN, at the turn of the century.
3. Colleges & Degrees – Forensic Science Training & Job Overview
The Forensic Science Training & Job Overview website has extensive information about 327 degree programs at 245 colleges. Many degree programs are offered online. You’ll have access to all the information you’ll need to decide on a course of study that will prepare you for a career in forensic psychology. Forensic psychologists essentially collect evidence from crime scenes and crime victims to assist law enforcement agencies in building a case. The testing they perform is detailed and exacting. It may be carried out in a laboratory setting using high-tech equipment, or it may be completed at the scene of a crime.
4. American Psychological Association
The American Psychological Association (APA) website offers a wealth of information for clinicians, scientists, consultants, students, researchers and educators. The membership includes everyone from undergraduate psychology majors to professional forensic psychologists with 30 or more years of experience. The objective of the APA is to establish ethical and professional standards and to provide information that will benefit society. The website disburses grants, awards and scholarships as well as updates about upcoming conferences, workshops and other networking and career-building events.
5. Simply Hired
Whether you’re straight out of a Ph.D. program looking for your first full-time job or a seasoned forensic psychologist with well-developed areas of expertise, the Simply Hired website is an epic resource where you can find scads of positions throughout the U.S. The site also has nifty tools that can make your job search easier. It will even tell you about positions that are similar to those you have searched for.
Related Resource: 49 Most Affordable Small Colleges for a Master’s Degree in Psychology 2016
If your heart is set on a career in forensic psychology, you’ll need some serious education. You’ll need a bachelor’s degree, preferably with a psychology major, a master’s degree, and a doctorate. This course of study will typically take about nine years to complete. You may also be required to complete a one-year internship, and you will have to be licensed and certified as well.