Meaning & use
forensic psychologist
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Meanings
nouncountable
a psychologist who applies knowledge of human behavior and mental processes to legal and criminal matters.
Grammar: Countable: 'a forensic psychologist', 'two forensic psychologists'. The field is uncountable: 'forensic psychology'.
Patterns
- work as a forensic psychologist
- consult a forensic psychologist
- a forensic psychologist for the defense
The court asked a forensic psychologist to assess the defendant's mental state.
She trained as a forensic psychologist and now works in a prison.
A forensic psychologist may evaluate witnesses, victims, or offenders.
nouncountablespecialist
a specialist who gives expert opinions in court about a person's mind, behavior, or risk of reoffending.
Grammar: Often used with 'expert': 'an expert forensic psychologist'. Takes verbs like 'testify', 'assess', 'evaluate'.
Patterns
- testify as a forensic psychologist
- a forensic psychologist testifies in court
The forensic psychologist testified that the defendant was fit to stand trial.
Judges often rely on a forensic psychologist's report when deciding on sentencing.
Word forms
| plural | forensic psychologists |
|---|
Common combinations
- consult a forensic psychologist
- The lawyer decided to consult a forensic psychologist before the trial.
- forensic psychologist's report
- The forensic psychologist's report influenced the judge's decision.
- work as a forensic psychologist
- He works as a forensic psychologist in a secure hospital.
- expert forensic psychologist
- An expert forensic psychologist was called by the prosecution.
Synonyms and how they differ
- forensic psychiatrist
- A medical doctor who specializes in mental health and the law; unlike a forensic psychologist, a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
- clinical psychologist
- Treats mental health problems in general; a forensic psychologist focuses on legal and criminal settings.
Word family
- forensic psychology noun
- The field that applies psychology to the legal system.
- forensic adjective
- Relating to scientific methods used in solving crime or in court.
- psychologist noun
- A person trained to study and treat the mind and behavior.
Commonly confused: forensic psychologist or psychiatrist?
forensic psychologist vs psychiatrist
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe drugs; a forensic psychologist usually does testing, assessment, and expert testimony but does not prescribe medicine.
Practice
The defense lawyer hired a ______ to evaluate whether the defendant understood the charges.
Choose one answer.
'Forensic psychologist' is the person who does the evaluation. 'Forensic psychology' is the field, not a person; a 'forensic psychiatrist' is a medical doctor and would be chosen only if medical treatment or prescription were the issue; 'psychology forensic' is the wrong word order.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forensic psychologist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.