Forensic psychology professionals who are active duty military personnel are typically required to serve the immediate needs of the military by following through with their commander’s orders. At times, they are ordered to engage in responsibilities not unlike those in a civilian setting such as providing assessment and treatment as well as developing and evaluating psychological services or programs. However, they might also be ordered to use their skills and knowledge as a psychology professional to address other needs of the military, such as conducting research or participating in prisoner interrogations. They have found themselves in recent warzones in Iraq or Afghanistan or within the confines of military prisons such as those in Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, or at Abu Ghraib.
The roles and responsibilities of the civilian who is contracting with the military tend to be more similar to forensic psychology professionals in the civilian sector. These consist of assessing active duty military personnel and their family members for mental health problems and proving psychotherapy along with supervising and evaluating programs.
Working with the military as a forensic psychology professional whether on active duty or as a civilian presents some ethical challenges that are unique to the military environment. Active duty personnel may be ordered to engage in activities that might violate ethical guidelines such as breaching confidentiality, using deception during research or interrogation, and maintaining multiple relationships with others in their command or work space. A forensic psychology professional in the military may serve as both a ranking officer and as a counselor. Civilian contractors also can face ethical dilemmas with confidentiality or being directed to engage in an activity that potentially violates ethical guidelines.
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