What do you think of Forensic Psychotherapy?
As the name suggests, Forensic Psychotherapy is based on the treatment provided for the offenders, victims, or witnesses, if they are suffering from any kind of trauma related to that event. It is the application of psychological knowledge in treating offenders or victims to go further with the cause of Justice.
This helps the therapist to understand the mind of the offender or victim, which may efficiently help in solving out the crime and also to know their background. It also helps the offender to understand why he/she had done it and take responsibility for his/her deeds and to prevent such crimes in the future.
Forensic Psychotherapy can be made use in many forms:
1.Offenders, victims, or witnesses who are confused may require this therapy to stabilize them.
2.Some offenders may be emotionally stressed or upset; thus, they cannot stand for trial. In such cases, Forensic Psychotherapy can normalize them and can ensure they appeared for trial.
3. It can help victims and witnesses to remember the details of the event to be presented in court.
4.The treatment helps in finding out whether the person is telling truth or lie.
5.It can help in the case of Juvenile delinquents; in such a situation, the therapy is done to stabilize the child from trauma.
6. Psychotherapy can be practiced in jails to ensure they create a useful citizen from prisoners so that they can lead a good life ahead after being released.
These are the application of psychotherapy in forensics. The forensic therapist while treating a patient is less likely to focus on the facts of the case and mainly aims in identifying that person’s problems.
Blog written By:
Hizana Farhath
B.Sc Forensic Science
Annai Fathima College of Arts and Science
Madurai, Tamilnadu
Volunteer of AFRS
