Exploring the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in forensic psychological practice

Purpose: This study explores the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into forensic psychological practice within the UK. With AI increasingly used in health, criminal justice, and organisational settings, this research seeks to understand the potential benefits, risks, and ethical tensions associated with its application in forensic contexts, as perceived or experienced by forensic psychologists. The study aims to amplify practitioner perspectives, identify key implementation concerns, and critically interrogate the psychological meaning-making processes that underpin attitudes towards AI. Design/methodology/approach: This research was independently conducted, taking a qualitative-dominant mixed-methods approach using an online questionnaire. Participants (n=12) were HCPC-registered forensic psychologists in the UK. The questionnaire combined Likert-scale items, informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT, Venkatesh et al., 2003), AI Attitude Scale (AIAS-4, Grassini, 2024), and Trust in Automation (Schaefer et al., 2016) measures. With four free-text prompts further exploring perceived benefits, barriers, concerns, and integration strategies. Free-text responses were analysed using Framework Analysis, supported by a hybrid inductive-deductive coding matrix. The discussion was interpreted through the lens of the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF, Johnstone & Boyle, 2018) and Digital Ethics Theory (Floridi et al., 2018; Floridi & Cowls, 2019), offering a psychologically informed and critically discursive approach. Findings: Participants identified potential benefits in using AI to reduce administrative workload and support non-clinical tasks. However, strong concerns emerged around ethical accountability, data privacy, bias, explainability, and professional de-skilling. Participants consistently emphasised that AI should support not replace human judgement. Responses reflected ambivalence, indicating both curiosity and threat perceptions. The application of PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018) highlighted how AI may be experienced as a source of epistemic threat, potentially reshaping practitioner identity and power dynamics. Digital Ethics Theory (Floridi et al., 2018; Floridi & Cowls, 2019) contextualised concerns about transparency, responsibility, and justice within AI systems. Originality: This is one of the first practitioner-led studies in the UK to apply Framework Analysis to forensic psychologists’ views on AI. By integrating PTMF (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018) and Digital Ethics Theory (Floridi et al., 2018; Floridi & Cowls, 2019), the study offers a novel conceptual lens to interrogate AI adoption in applied psychological settings. The findings contribute to an emerging body of critical literature advocating for ethical, human-centred, and co-designed AI practices in forensic environments. The study’s insights are relevant for practitioners, policymakers, and technology developers working at the intersection of forensic psychology and digital innovation.