Cybercrime and Forensic Psychology: An Intersectional Analysis

Abstract

This research paper explores the convergent relationship between cybercrime and forensic psychology, exploring how psychological theory and studies can be applied in understanding, searching and preventing online crimes. Cybercrime, including hacking, phishing, and identity theft, is faced with unique challenges due to its anonymous and cross-border nature. Forensic psychology plays a role in the profiling of the offenders, the measurement of the motivations and the determination of the psychological effects on the victims. To explain the paper using current empirical studies, the paper talks about traits of offenders such as sensation seeking and anti-social acts, response by victims such as post-traumatic stress disorder and shattered core assumptions and case studies, e.g. the Silk Road marketplace. The problems comprise the aspect of anonymity in the digital space and the psychological burden associated with investigators. Further studies involve the focus on artificial-intelligence-based profiling and interdisciplinary methodological synthesis. The discussion reports the importance of a comprehensive psychological framework in cyber investigations, which would enhance the prevention and justice outcomes.