Author Name: Dr. Sundeep Katevarapu, Dr. Prasuna Shanmukha Priya Lanka Date: 05-01-2024
Forensic psychology assessments play a critical role in understanding criminal behavior andinforming legal decisions. These assessments are complex, requiring a balance betweenpsychological, social, and legal considerations. This paper explores the methodologies used inforensic psychology to assess criminal behavior, with a focus on clinical judgment, actuarialtools, and emerging trends such as neuroscience. It also examines the challenges of culturalbias, the accuracy of assessment tools, and the ethical implications of incorporatingneurobiological data into evaluations. Through a systematic literature review, this researchhighlights the significance of forensic assessments in criminal justice while acknowledgingtheir limitations and suggesting future recommendations to improve fairness and accuracy.Specifically, the need for culturally sensitive tools, a balanced use of clinical and actuarialmethods, and an exploration of socio-economic factors in criminal behavior are emphasized.The paper concludes by underscoring the importance of continued methodological refinementto ensure reliable assessments in diverse forensic settings.
