Forensics, law, and public safety

Forensic psychology is the application of psychological principles and techniques to situations involving the civil and criminal legal systems. Its functions include assessment and treatment services, provision of advocacy and expert testimony, policy analysis, and research on such topics as eyewitness accounts, offender behavior, interrogations, and investigative practices. Also called legal psychology.

Adapted from the APA Dictionary of Psychology

Resources from APA

graphic of people walking with red squares over heads

Law enforcement use of facial recognition technology

What the defense should know about reliability and role in prosecution

Washington v. Baker

This case discusses whether first-time in-court eyewitness identifications are sufficiently reliable to satisfy due-process principles

psychologist taking notes during session with patient

Guidelines on intellectual disability diagnosis in forensic settings

Approved by APA Council of Representatives, August 2026

Kid's hand holding sculpture of themis, femida or justice goddess on green leaves natural bokeh background

Behavioral health interventions for justice-involved youth

Review in Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice examines interventions for justice-involved youth

More resources about law and psychology

What APA is doing

Advocacy

Criminal justice and policing

APA Services advocates at the federal, state, and local level to apply psychological science to address issues at the intersection of behavioral health and criminal justice/policing.

Divisions

American Psychology-Law Society

Division 41: American Psychology-Law Society promotes the contributions of psychology to the understanding of law and legal institutions, the education of psychologists in legal matters and law personnel in psychological matters, and the application of psychology in the legal system.