Commencement ETC PC

01/19/2026

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

His work reminds us that justice is not only about laws, but about how systems treat people — especially those with the least power.

In forensic psychology, this means paying attention to context, bias, and the real-world impact of decisions made within the criminal justice system. Ethical work requires humility, care, and a willingness to examine systems as well as individuals.

Progress is rarely quick or easy, but it depends on consistent, principled effort.

The work continues.

01/18/2026

, This article reports on the seizure of a web domain linked to fraudulent banking activity resulting in significant financial loss.

Complex schemes like this often prompt quick judgments about criminal intent, but from a forensic psychology perspective, understanding such behavior involves more than assigning blame. It requires looking at systems of vulnerability, how people with access to technology may exploit gaps, and the broader context of economic pressures and opportunity structures.

Cases involving financial crime are multifaceted. Ethical analysis doesn’t excuse wrongdoing, but it does recognize that prevention and accountability are strengthened when we ask thoughtful questions about access, motive, and systemic risk.

Headlines capture the what — but careful, contextual thinking helps us understand the how and why.

Criminals impersonated financial institutions to gain unauthorized access to victims’ bank accounts.

01/17/2026

, This article reports on the identification of a man who had been missing and was later found deceased.

Situations like this are reminders that behind public reports are real people, families, and communities affected by uncertainty and loss. In forensic psychology, it’s essential to approach these cases with care — avoiding speculation and respecting the limits of available information.

Understanding what happened often requires time, thorough investigation, and attention to context. Premature conclusions can cause additional harm, particularly when answers are still unfolding.

Ethical practice means balancing the search for understanding with respect for dignity — especially in cases involving death.

01/16/2026

, Forensic psychology looks very different in real life than it does on TV.

Most of the work happens quietly — with careful assessment, ethics, and a lot of documentation.

01/15/2026

It’s National Use Your Gift Day.

In forensic psychology, using your skills responsibly matters as much as having them.

The work isn’t about being the loudest voice or having the quickest answer — it’s about applying training, ethics, and judgment carefully, especially in systems with real consequences.

Using your gift well often means slowing down, asking better questions, and knowing the limits of your role.

Responsibility is part of the gift.

01/14/2026

, This article highlights a case of alleged mail theft involving a postal worker.

At first glance, stories like this can seem simple — someone violated trust and broke the law. But from a forensic psychology perspective, understanding such behavior involves looking beyond the headline to consider context, opportunity, and underlying factors that contribute to patterns of theft and breach of duty.

Ethical analysis doesn’t excuse wrongdoing, but it does ask us to consider the environment, stressors, and decision pathways that lead to these outcomes. Oversimplified explanations don’t help us understand how to prevent harm or address underlying issues.

In forensic work, we think carefully about risk, access, and systemic conditions — not just individual choices in isolation.

Investigators say the USPS employee stole greeting cards from the mail and used gift cards and cash inside for personal gain during a joint federal and local investigation.

01/13/2026

It’s National Sticker Day.

In psychology training and practice, stickers and labels are often treated lightly — but in forensic settings, labels matter.

Diagnostic and descriptive terms carry real consequences, which is why ethical practice requires care, context, and restraint.

In this field, accuracy matters more than simplicity.

What’s a label you think gets misunderstood in psychology?

01/12/2026

, This article reports on a serious incident and the resulting charges, and it highlights how quickly complex events can be simplified in headlines.

In forensic psychology, our focus isn’t just on the outcome — it’s on understanding the context, the risk dynamics, and the sequence of decisions that surround situations like this. Incidents involving self-directed violence, public safety, and legal consequences intersect with mental health, assessment practices, and systemic response.

It’s important to avoid snap judgments based solely on brief descriptions. Ethical evaluation requires time, careful assessment, and attention to the broader picture — not just a moment captured in a headline.

What matters most isn’t just what happened, but why and how: the processes, the supports, and the frameworks involved.

Context matters — especially in systems where split-second decisions have long-lasting effects.

A 59-year-old man who intentionally shot himself at the Atlanta Airport is recovering in the hospital and now faces multiple felony charges, police said.

01/10/2026

Large drug busts often generate shock — especially when weapons are involved.

When people see headlines like this, it’s easy to assume a single type of offender or a clear-cut narrative. In forensic psychology, we look more closely at risk environments, co-occurring factors, and system involvement rather than relying on assumptions.

What stands out here is the combination of substances, weapons, and multiple arrests, which often reflects networked behavior and layered risk, not just individual pathology.

Oversimplifying these cases can obscure how substance use, access to fi****ms, economic pressures, and supervision intersect.

This is why careful assessment and context matter when interpreting criminal behavior.

Officials estimate the drugs taken off the streets had a street value well over $1 million and said the amount of fentanyl seized was enough to kill nearly 4.1 million people.

01/09/2026

, Forensic psychology students (and professionals) will recognize this immediately.

TV and public perception often focus on the dramatic moments, while the real work involves careful reading, writing, ethics, and documentation.

, Ending the week with appreciation for the people doing careful, ethical work in complex systems.

Forensic psychology requires balance — between seriousness and self-care, structure and humanity.

Humor helps — ethics always come first.

01/08/2026

High-profile allegations often trigger strong public reactions, especially when well-known figures are involved.

From a forensic psychology and ethics standpoint, it’s important to be clear about boundaries. Psychologists do not assess credibility, intent, or truth based on headlines, lawsuits, or public narratives alone.

Allegations must be taken seriously, and at the same time, conclusions require evidence, due process, and careful investigation. Both principles can exist simultaneously.

Public speculation — especially psychological speculation — can cause harm to all parties involved and undermines the integrity of legal and clinical processes.

This is why restraint and ethical clarity matter when discussing cases like this.

Tyler Perry was sued for sexual assault by an actor who appeared in "Boo! A Madea Halloween," marking the second lawsuit in recent months accusing the filmmaker and studio mogul of leveraging his power in Hollywood to make sexual advances.

01/07/2026

, Cases involving correctional staff misconduct raise complex but important questions.

When an officer is charged, public discussions often swing between denial and outrage. In forensic and correctional psychology, the focus is on process, accountability, and systemic safeguards, not assumptions about guilt or innocence.

What matters most in cases like this is how institutions respond — including investigation procedures, use-of-force policies, training, and oversight mechanisms.

Individual cases should always be examined carefully, but they also highlight the importance of ethical standards and transparency within correctional environments.

These issues require restraint, context, and evidence-based evaluation — especially given the power dynamics involved.

A correctional officer faces felony charges after allegedly injuring an inmate at Lee Arrendale Prison last month.