Criminal Psychology students from the American University in Dubai visited the Dubai Police General Department of Forensic Science and Criminology as part of an academic field engagement.

The visit provided students with direct exposure to the operational realities of forensic practice within a leading UAE law enforcement institution. During the tour of the department’s forensic facilities, students were introduced to technologies used in contemporary criminal investigations and gained insight into how forensic psychology functions within the broader criminology framework.

“Experiential field engagements such as this allow our students to see how psychological theory is applied within high stakes investigative contexts. Observing forensic professionals at work deepens their understanding of risk assessment, behavioral analysis, and ethical decision-making in real world settings.”
Dr. Prince Kouamelan Kouassi, Chair of the Department of Psychology and Assistant Professor of Psychology

The department also delivered applied demonstrations, including practical examples of forensic risk assessment, allowing students to observe how theoretical models discussed in class are implemented in professional contexts. Students engaged in discussions around case formulation, offender profiling considerations, interdepartmental collaboration, and the evidentiary standards required in forensic reporting. The session highlighted the structured decision-making processes that underpin forensic evaluations, as well as the importance of objectivity, documentation, and multidisciplinary coordination within criminal investigations.

A highlight of the visit was meeting a former AUD psychology student now working with the department. For current students, it was inspiring to witness someone who once sat in the same classrooms now working within a highly specialized forensic environment.

The visit demonstrated how classroom training in research methods, psychological assessment, and ethics translates into impactful professional roles within national institutions, strengthening the link between academic learning and real practice and reinforcing AUD’s emphasis on experiential learning in criminal psychology.