Blind-Sided: Homicide Where It Is Least Expected

by Gregory K. Moffatt

While print and broadcast media are filled every day with homicide accounts, the general public seems most disturbed by crimes attributed to individuals who otherwise seem normal. Murders by those perceived to be historically non-violent often appear to erupt with no warning whatsoever. Moffatt argues that certain key predictors of a predisposition to violence are usually present. Citing case studies of workplace, school, and domestic homicides, he debunks the myth that these murders happen out of the blue. He also includes valuable information on predicting and preventing future tragedies.

This book explains why friends and colleagues who knew the perpetrators of violence overlooked or misunderstood warning signs, and it addresses the role that mental illness often plays in such crimes. Chapters are devoted to homicide in the workplace, domestic homicide, stalkers who kill, and homicide by children, including an entire chapter on the Columbine High School shooting. Using his experience as an educator, researcher, and clinician, Moffatt demonstrates how to identify the historically non-violent murderer through a process of risk assessment before a crime is committed. He also describes seven common mistakes people make that have resulted in one or more deaths.

Genres: True Crime

264 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2000

Reviews

[Meaghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author specializes in protecting workplaces from violent employees. In this book, in addition to discussing several case studies of violent individuals, he provides practical advice on how to predict if someone is going to "go postal" and how workplaces and individuals can protect themselves from harm.

I found the book to be very readable and the advice he gave to be sensible and, in many cases, a real eye-opener. Moffatt dispels the myth that school/workplace shootings and domestic killings are committed "out of the blue" and that the murderers give no indication that they're about to blow up. This isn't really a standard true crime book, but true crime buffs will certainly enjoy it.