There is a difference in the work a forensic psychologist and a forensic psychiatrist does, and both - or neither - can become criminal profilers.
In real life, Forensic Psychology and Forensic Psychiatry are not what we see in movies like Silence of the Lambs or British TV show, Cracker although, because of shows like these, profilers – both real and fictional – have become high profile celebrities.
Silence of the Lambs first popularised profiling when it won five Oscars and cast a completely new light on insanity.
Behavioral Science Unit (BSU)
In an unprecedented move, author Thomas Harris received permission to go to meetings of the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU) of the FBI and learn about the men who did the profiling. From them, he devised the novels, Red Dragon and The Silence of the Lambs.
According to Crimelibary.com : “the unfortunate impression was given in this story that young agents can become profilers without any field experience and that female agents might be left alone with dangerous killers—even go out on their own to try to apprehend them.”
Forensic Psychologist
Psychologists study behaviour. They do not have a medial degree. Forensic psychology is the practice of clinical psychology within our legal system. A forensic psychologist may assist in a wide variety of civil matters as well as criminal ones. Forensic psychologists work mainly in the prison and probation services to develop intervention techniques and treatment programs. Much of the work of a forensic psychologist focuses on therapy in correctional settings.
Forensic Psychiatrist
Psychiatrists on the other hand first qualify as medial doctors, then specialize as psychiatrist and then usually do an extra qualification in Forensic Psychiatry.
Favorite Criminal Profilers in Fiction
One of my favourite criminal profilers in fiction is Jeffrey Deaver’s Lincoln Rhymes, who is a quadriplegic, and has the ability to profile criminals from his home through other police officers.
I also have a soft spot for James Patterson's forensic psychologist, Alex Cross.
