What does forensic psychology focus on?

Forensic psychology specifically examines the relationship between psychological principles and legal issues. This field involves applying psychological knowledge to understanding criminal behavior, the functioning of the legal system, and the treatment of individuals involved in the legal process. Forensic psychologists may work on a variety of tasks such as assessing the mental state of defendants, providing expert testimony in court, and offering insights into criminal profiling.

In contrast, while studying criminal law is important for a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, it is not the sole focus of forensic psychology. Analyzing physical evidence relates more to forensic science than psychology, as it deals with tangible evidence collected at crime scenes. Conducting lie detector tests, although it may involve psychological principles, is not a primary focus of the field; instead, it's a specific technique that might be used by some professionals within broader psychological or investigative contexts but does not encompass the depth of what forensic psychology entails.