Forensic psychology has seven main types: clinical forensic, correctional, police and public safety, family and civil, juvenile, forensic neuropsychology, and legal research and trial consulting. Each one applies psychology to the legal system, but in a different way and in a different setting.
This matters if you are choosing a career. The day-to-day work of a prison psychologist looks nothing like the work of a custody evaluator. In this guide, you will see what each type involves, where people work, and who tends to enjoy it. You will also see how the confusing labels, like “criminal psychology,” fit in. For the big picture of the whole field, start with what is forensic psychology.
Quick overview of the 7 types
| Type | Main focus | Typical setting |
| Clinical forensic psychology | Evaluating and treating people in legal cases | Court clinics, hospitals, private practice |
| Correctional psychology | Mental health care for people in custody | Prisons and jails |
| Police and public safety psychology | Helping police and first responders | Police departments, agencies |
| Family and civil forensic psychology | Custody, injury, and capacity questions | Private practice, family courts |
| Juvenile forensic psychology | Evaluating and treating young people | Juvenile courts, detention centers |
| Forensic neuropsychology | Brain injury and thinking problems in legal cases | Hospitals, private practice |
| Legal research and trial consulting | Studying and applying psychology in trials | Universities, consulting firms |
The American Psychological Association recognized forensic psychology as a specialty in 2001. Since then the field has grown, and these areas have become more distinct.
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Clinical forensic psychology
This is the area most people picture. Clinical forensic psychologists assess and sometimes treat people who are involved with the law. They use interviews, records, and psychological tests.
Common tasks:
- competency to stand trial evaluations
- criminal responsibility (sanity) evaluations
- violence and sexual offense risk assessments
- reports for judges, lawyers, and parole boards
- expert testimony
Where they work: court clinics, state forensic hospitals, community mental health programs, and private practice.
Who it suits: people who enjoy detailed interviews, careful writing, and tough questions. You need strong clinical skills and the ability to stay neutral.
To learn what the work looks like in practice, read what does a forensic psychologist do.
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Correctional psychology
Correctional psychologists work in prisons, jails, and detention centers. Their main goal is mental health care for people in custody.
Common tasks:
- therapy for depression, trauma, psychosis, and substance use
- suicide risk checks and crisis response
- group programs, such as anger management
- assessments for housing, safety, and treatment needs
- release and reentry planning
Where they work: state prisons, federal prisons, county jails, and juvenile facilities.
Who it suits: people who stay calm under pressure and care about people who are often overlooked. You must follow strict safety rules, and the setting can be intense.
Federal roles follow the General Schedule pay scale and appear on USAJOBS. The International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology offers standards and training for this work.
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Police and public safety psychology
This area supports police departments and other public safety agencies. The client is the agency, and the focus is on people who do the job.
Common tasks:
- screening job applicants
- fitness-for-duty evaluations
- stress and trauma support after critical incidents
- training in crisis response and de-escalation
- help with threat assessment and hostage negotiation training
Where they work: local police and sheriff’s offices, state agencies, federal agencies, and private consulting.
Who it suits: people who like working with teams and want to improve how public safety works. The APA’s Division 18 (Psychologists in Public Service) has a section for police and public safety psychology.
Note that this is different from investigative work, which helps solve crimes. We explain that line in our guide to the investigative psychologist vs forensic psychologist.
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Family and civil forensic psychology
These psychologists work in cases that are not criminal. The questions are about families, injuries, and decisions people make about their own lives.
Common tasks:
- child custody and parenting evaluations
- abuse and neglect cases
- personal injury and emotional harm claims
- workplace discrimination and harassment claims
- guardianship and capacity questions, such as whether an older adult can manage money
- disability evaluations
Where they work: mostly private practice, plus family courts and some agencies.
Who it suits: people who are patient, fair, and comfortable with emotional family conflict. Evaluations can be long and sensitive. The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts is a helpful group for custody work.
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Juvenile forensic psychology
Young people in the legal system need special care. Their brains are still developing, and the courts treat them differently.
Common tasks:
- checking whether a teen understood their rights
- competency evaluations for youth
- advice on whether a case should move to adult court
- treatment plans and placement advice
- work with families and schools
Where they work: juvenile courts, detention centers, residential programs, and community clinics.
Who it suits: people who enjoy working with young people and believe in growth and second chances. You need patience and a strong understanding of child and teen development.
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Forensic neuropsychology
Forensic neuropsychologists study how brain injury, disease, or other brain problems affect thinking and behavior in legal cases.
Common tasks:
- testing memory, attention, and decision making after a head injury
- evaluating dementia and capacity in guardianship cases
- assessing brain-related claims in personal injury lawsuits
- helping courts understand how brain problems affect behavior
Where they work: hospitals, rehabilitation centers, private practice, and as expert witnesses.
Who it suits: people who enjoy science, testing, and detail. This area needs extra training in neuropsychology on top of a doctorate in psychology.
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Legal research and trial consulting
Not every forensic psychologist sees clients. Some study how the law and the mind connect, and others apply that research to trials.
Common tasks:
- research on eyewitness memory, false confessions, and jury decisions
- teaching at universities
- helping lawyers choose jurors
- preparing witnesses
- running mock trials to test a case
Where they work: universities, research centers, and consulting firms.
Who it suits: people who love research, data, and the question of why people decide what they decide. The American Psychology-Law Society is the main group for researchers in this area, and the American Society of Trial Consultants supports trial consultants.
Terms that people mix up
A lot of confusion comes from labels. Here is a simple guide.
- Forensic psychology applies psychology to legal questions, often through evaluation and treatment.
- Legal psychology is a broader term. It includes research on how the law and the mind connect, such as how juries decide.
- Criminal psychology is a popular label, not an official specialty. People usually mean forensic psychology or the study of why people commit crimes.
- Investigative psychology helps police with investigations. It is a different field with a different goal.
- Forensic psychiatry is done by medical doctors. They can prescribe medication, and they also evaluate people for courts.
- Forensic science studies physical evidence like fingerprints and DNA. It is not psychology.
To see how forensic psychology fits among all branches of psychology, read our overview of the different branches of psychology.
How to choose the right type
Ask yourself these questions:
- Do I want to work directly with people? Clinical, correctional, juvenile, and family work all involve it. Research and consulting involve less.
- Do I prefer government work or private practice? Correctional and police work are mostly in government. Family and civil work is mostly private.
- How do I handle stress? Prison settings are tense. Family court work can be emotionally draining. Research is quieter.
- Which questions excite me? Competency, custody, brain injury, and juror decisions all attract different minds.
- How much training am I ready for? Neuropsychology adds more years. Research roles usually need a PhD.
Most people try more than one area during training. Many find their fit during an internship or postdoctoral fellowship.
Training for each type
Most of these roles need a doctorate in psychology, a state license, and supervised experience. Our guide on how to become a forensic psychologist explains each step. Some areas need extra training, such as neuropsychology. Some roles, like trial consulting, accept other paths, including law degrees or master’s degrees.
You can also compare pay and job options in our guide to forensic psychology careers and salary.
Final thoughts
Forensic psychology is not one job. It is a group of related paths, each with its own setting, pace, and challenges. Think about the work you want to do each day, not just the title. That one choice will shape your training, your career, and your daily life.
Sources
- American Psychology-Law Society (APA Division 41): https://ap-ls.org
- American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org
- International Association for Correctional and Forensic Psychology: https://www.iacfp.org
- Association of Family and Conciliation Courts: https://www.afccnet.org
- American Society of Trial Consultants: https://www.astcweb.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Psychologists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm
- USAJOBS: https://www.usajobs.gov
