AIC professor featured in forensic magazine
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SPRINGFIELD--John DeFrancesco of Windsor was recently featured in an article for the "Forensic Examiner, the Worlds Leading Forensic Magazine." DeFrancesco is an associate professor of psychology and criminal justice and the director of the master's programs in forensic and clinical psychology at American International College in Springfield, Mass.
A licensed and certified psychologist, DeFrancesco also practices at the Connecticut Children's Place. "Being able to bring the practice of forensic psychology to the classroom and preach what I practice is invaluable to my students," DeFrancesco told the publication.
The Windsor resident was one of a panel of experts interviewed for an article on Behavioral Profiling in the Summer 2007 edition.
Asked how he ended up in the psychological profiling field, DeFrancesco said he was trained in personality theory and personality assessment, so developing a psychological profile is natural extension. "In forensic practice, psychologists conduct detailed personality analyses and profiles to help courts determine appropriate judicial action," according to DeFrancesco.
DeFrancesco is quick to add that what he does is different than what profilers on popular television crime shows do. "I am not a profiler in the popular sense of the word, I do not examine a crime scene and related evidence to develop who may have perpetrated the crime," he said.
"I develop individual psychological and personality profiles using multiple analyses methods. These methods may include testing and interviews, but they will also involve obtaining data, such as developmental, academic, employment, medical family and social histories- including police records and other documents. The more information the psychologist can gather, the more reliable the profile will be," he said.
DeFrancesco said he enjoys the challenge and rewards of developing a comprehensive profile that can help others make pro-active decisions. He also believes his experience is helping his students. "I think students prefer being exposed to real clinical experiences rather than relying solely on textbook exercises and examples."
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