Glen Leach 
Forensic Psychology 

Forensic Psychology is the application of the science and profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. Today forensic refers to the application of scientific principles and practices to the adversary process where especially knowledgeable scientists play a role. Forensic psychology is the intersection between psychology and the criminal justice system. It involves understanding criminal law in the relevant jurisdictions in order to be able to interact appropriately with judges, attorneys and other legal professionals. The growth of forensic psychology is not without controversy. Some accuse forensic psychologists of being hired guns who can be paid to parrot a certain opinion. Recent court decisions are causing increasing scientific scrutiny of psychological evidence. This in turn is leading to the development of increasingly rigorous training programs, instruments, and procedures that will allow us to withstand such adversarial scrutiny. Further, in order to be a credible witness, the forensic psychologist must understand the philosophy, rules and standards of the judicial system. Primary is an understanding of the adversarial system. There are also rules about hearsay evidence and most importantly, the exclusionary rule. This book provides deep insight into various dimensions of issues relating to the subject.