Forensic psychology- the scientific study of law and human behavior—now one of the most prevalent branches of psychology—did not appear overnight. Nowadays we see it in crime shows, detective stories, and movies where experts “read and analyse the criminal mind.” But behind this a long history of scientific research, courtroom progresses, and legal decisions shaped the field.

➯Early Foundations of Forensic Psychology

The origins of forensic psychology can be found in 1879, when Wilhelm Wundt established the first psychology laboratory in Germany (Wundt, 1879/ as cited in various historical sources). He marked the official beginning of modern psychology. His focus on scientific methods encouraged later psychologists to study human behaviour in legal contexts.

Eyewitness Testimony Research

A major milestone occurred in 1893, when James McKeen Cattell conducted the first psychological experiments on eyewitness testimony at Columbia University (Cattell, 1893). His research revealed inaccuracies in people’s memories, raising important questions about courtroom reliability.

Inspired by Cattell, Alfred Binet expanded this study. Binet's earlier work in intelligence testing also laid groundwork for future forensic assessments (Binet, 1905).
Similarly, William Stern studied memory accuracy under emotional stress and found out that emotions strongly affect recall (Stern, 1904). Stern later established one of the first journals focusing on applied psychology.

 

Early Use of Psychology in the Courts

By the late 1800s and early 1900s, psychology began entering European courtrooms. In 1896, Albert von Schrenck-Notzing testified in a murder case, explaining how pre-trial publicity and suggestion could distort witness memory (Schrenck-Notzing, 1896).

A major breakthrough came with Hugo Münsterberg, whose 1908 book On the Witness Stand argued strongly for using psychology in legal matters (Münsterberg, 1908). His work is considered one of the earliest formal contributions to forensic psychology.

In 1911, Belgian psychologist J. Varendonck became one of the first experts to testify about child witnesses in a criminal trial—another key moment in the field’s growth.

Developments in the United States

The field expanded rapidly in the U.S. during the early 20th century:

  • In 1916, Lewis Terman used intelligence testing to evaluate police applicants, leading to the well-known Stanford–Binet test (Terman, 1916).
  • In 1917, William Marston discovered a link between blood pressure and lying, laying the foundation for the modern polygraph (Marston, 1917).
  • In 1921, the case State v. Driver marked the first time an American psychologist testified in court.

A landmark legal precedent occurred in 1923 during Frye v. United States, where Marston’s lie detection evidence led to the “general acceptance” standard for expert testimony (Frye, 1923). This decision guided what psychological evidence could be accepted in U.S. courts for decades.

 

➯Mid-Century Growth and Legal Recognition

Forensic psychology gained major traction after World War II. Before this period, psychologists often faced restrictions and skepticism from legal professionals. But key legal cases began changing this:

  • In People v. Hawthorne (1940), the court ruled that expertise—not medical degree—determined who could testify as an expert witness.
  • In Jenkins v. United States (1962), psychologists were officially recognized as experts on mental illness. This was a milestone that opened the doors for psychologists in courtroom evaluations.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the field continued expanding:

  • In 1968, Martin Reiser became the first prominent police psychologist in the United States.
  • In 1977, the journal Law and Human Behavior, the first major academic publication on psychology and law, was launched.
  • By 1985, the American Board of Professional Psychology began certifying forensic psychologists, further professionalizing the field.

 

➯Modern Era: Specialization and Expansion

The field grew rapidly through the late 20th and early 21st centuries:

  • In 1991, the first Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists were published.
  • In 2001, the American Psychological Association (APA) officially recognized forensic psychology as a specialty.
  • In 2008, the specialty was recertified.
  • In 2013, the specialty guidelines were revised, defining forensic psychology broadly to include both research and practice.

Today, forensic psychology is stronger than ever. Universities offer specialized degrees, dual psychology-law programs, and advanced training for students. Research in eyewitness testimony, interrogation, deception, and offender rehabilitation continues to expand. Professional organizations, conferences, and academic journals have made the field more structured and scientifically rigorous.

 

References

  1. Binet, A. (1905). New methods for the diagnosis of the intellectual level of subnormals.
  2. Cattell, J. M. (1893). Measurements of the accuracy of recollection. Science, 1(3), 761–776.
  3. Frye v. United States, 293 F. 1013 (D.C. Cir. 1923).
  4. Jenkins v. United States, 307 F.2d 637 (D.C. Cir. 1962).
  5. Münsterberg, H. (1908). On the witness stand: Essays on psychology and crime. Doubleday.
  6. Marston, W. (1917). Systolic blood pressure symptoms of deception. Journal of Experimental Psychology.
  7. People v. Hawthorne, 77 N.W.2d 836 (Mich. 1940).
  8. Schrenck-Notzing, A. v. (1896). Testimony on the influence of pretrial publicity.
  9. Stern, W. (1904). Über die Psychologie der Aussage. Beiträge zur Psychologie der Aussage.
  10. Terman, L. (1916). The measurement of intelligence. Houghton Mifflin.
  11. Varendonck, J. (1911). Child testimony in criminal courts.
  12. Wundt, W. (1879). Principles of physiological psychology.
  13. APA. (2001). Recognition of forensic psychology as a specialty. American Psychological Association.