Forensic Psychologists Casebook: Psychological profiling and criminal investigation

by Laurence Alison (Editor)

This book aims to demonstrate how forensic psychology contributes to police investigations, providing practical information about the type of reports provided by psychologists and behavioural advisors, and set within a broader theoretical context. It asks the question 'What do practitioners actually do when they provide advice for the police and the courts and how do they do it?' The contributors to the book are all experts in the field of offender profiling and behavioural investigative advice. The chapters provide valuable insights into particular case details, the ethical and legal consequences of advice, coverage of the relevant theoretical context, explanations for conclusions drawn, practical difficulties in preparing reports, potential pitfalls, and an account of how cases are resolved.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Crime

440 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Daisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found a copy of this going cheap and having read a few books by John Douglas and Roy Hazelwood I thought this might shed some more academic light on it. Sadly not. Everything was very superficial and not explored in a way that would give any insight. The chapters covering the entrapment of Colin Stagg for a murder he didn’t commit by using an undercover policewoman was mildly interesting but gave no greater insight into the psychology of the approach investigators took.

In many respects this book was dismissive of psychological profiling, scoffing at the notion that renowned FBI profilers could determine details about the perpetrator of a particular crime. The fact that it wasn’t explored despite the successes of some of these profilers was an oversight, and in a strange turn it seems that this book suggests that statistics is the true generator of a profile. In the chapter which shows a report written by a profiler (in the UK) it lacks any real psychological insight instead drawing on statistics that don’t need a psychologist to cite.

If this is a textbook written for student’s pursuing a career in forensic psychology/criminology then the lack of depth and simplistic language used makes me more sympathetic to the UK’s government plan to crack down on “rip-off” university degrees.

[Royce Ratterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most books are rated related to their usefulness and contributions to my research.
Overall, a good book for the researcher and enthusiast.
Read for personal research
- found this book's contents helpful and inspiring - number rating relates to the book's contribution to my needs.