Smrithi Athreya, Christ (Deemed to be) University
ABSTRACT
Mainstream criminology has leaned towards psychology, hostility, and criminal behavior ideas post the Second World War. The research paper presents an analysis of the psychological aspects of criminal law. The debate on why people commit crimes is the root of criminal psychology. It is a branch of study that aims at the intentions and behaviors of the criminals who commit the act. Over the years, the concepts of psychology have evolved legal experts to look at crime and the law from a different perspective. This evolution has also changed the way the criminal justice system treats the mentally ill. Psychology plays a role even in the courtroom where the legal practitioners need to understand the motivations and actions of the defendants' actions and determinations.1 Forensic psychologists and other mental health professionals are called upon in the court of law to give their special evaluation on people's mental states who break the law.
The concepts of psychology and psychiatry are essential in assessing criminology and criminal behavior. Psychologists also play a significant role in the police and investigative work. The criminal profilers are the people who deduce the likely suspects through the analysis of a crime scene are often investigative psychologists, forensic psychologists, or criminal anthropologists. Law enforcement agencies rely on these experts to identify and apprehend the criminal and their personality, lifestyle, and habits.
The research paper will highlight the various categories of criminals categorized by psychologists. Psychologists have categorized criminals into psychopaths and sociopaths. Psychopaths are criminals born with criminal tendencies, and sociopaths are the ones who tend to choose the path of crime due to external factors like emotional imbalance, economic issues, or family issues.3 Criminal psychology studies the will, intention, thoughts, feelings, and reactions of criminals engaging in criminal behavior. The paper will examine the role of psychology in criminal law and the various perspectives that psychologists provide to a criminal case.
Keywords: Crime; Criminology; Psychology; psychopaths; Sociopaths.
