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In Illinois, a Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card is a required credential for anyone who wants to legally possess or purchase firearms or ammunition. It does not authorize someone to carry a firearm in public, and it does not replace a concealed carry license. Instead, it functions as a baseline eligibility card that confirms a person meets the State’s legal requirements to possess firearms under Illinois law. From a public-safety standpoint, the FOID system gives Il

Across the United States, competency to stand trial evaluations have shifted from a routine procedural safeguard to one of the most pressing bottlenecks in the criminal legal system. Courts are overwhelmed, jails are overcrowded, defendants are waiting months for restoration services, and states are facing lawsuits alleging violations of constitutional rights. The crisis is real. But it is not unmanageable. With the right reforms, it’s possible to restore efficiency, fairness

Criminal profiling, more accurately called behavioral analysis, is not a burst of intuition pinned to a corkboard covered in red string, nor does it look like FBI Agent Clarice Starling going after Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs . It’s a disciplined blend of psychology and investigation that helps law enforcement understand why an offender acted the way they did and what  they might do next. The goal isn’t to name a suspect but to narrow the field, sharpen inter

Political assassinations and attempts in the U.S. don’t erupt from nowhere. They emerge from a predictable mix of grievance fused to...

When a person dies under ambiguous, unexpected, or suspicious circumstances, the cause of death may not be purely a medical question....

In today’s workplace, safety, performance, and mental well-being are closely linked. When an employee’s behavior, mental health, or...

In the world of forensic psychology, few tools are as valuable as the Psychological Independent Medical Examination (IME) . Whether...

The insanity defense is one of the most misunderstood—and often controversial—legal strategies in the criminal justice system. Rooted in...

When most people hear the word "psychologist," they picture someone in a quiet office, perhaps sitting across from a client and offering...

In the courtroom, justice must be more than fair—it must be informed. One of the most critical yet often misunderstood mechanisms that...

In criminal cases, a defendant’s Miranda rights ensure that their statements to law enforcement are voluntary and legally admissible....

The intersection of mental illness and criminal behavior is a subject of ongoing debate in forensic psychology and the criminal justice...

In the wake of mass shootings, the question often arises: What role does mental illness play in these devastating events? The...

Forensic psychology has become a popular topic in mainstream media, captivating audiences with dramatic portrayals of criminal profiling...

Malingering, a term often synonymous with deception, plays a significant role in forensic psychology. This behavior involves the...

The criminal justice system and the juvenile justice system serve similar purposes: to uphold laws, ensure public safety, and address...

Trauma is a powerful force that can shape an individual’s thoughts, emotions, and actions in profound ways. As forensic psychologists, we...

When we think of courtrooms, we often picture dramatic legal battles and impassioned arguments. However, behind the scenes, various forms...

As a forensic psychologist, one of my key responsibilities is conducting violence risk assessments . These assessments are often...

As forensic psychologists, one of the critical responsibilities we undertake is conducting Firearm Owners Identification (FOID)...