Product Description
Forensic mental health assessment (FMHA) has grown into a specialization informed by research and professional guidelines. This series presents up-to-date information on the most important and frequently conducted forms of FMHA. The 19 topical volumes address best approaches to practice for particular types of evaluation in the criminal, civil, and juvenile/family areas. Each volume contains a thorough discussion of the relevant legal and psychological concepts, followed by a step-by-step description of the assessment process from preparing for the evaluation to writing the report and testifying in court.

Volumes include the following helpful features:
- Boxes that zero in on important information for use in evaluations
- Tips for best practice and cautions against common pitfalls
- Highlighting of relevant case law and statutes
- Separate list of assessment tools for easy reference
- Helpful glossary of key terms for the particular topic
In making recommendations for best practice, authors consider empirical support, legal relevance, and consistency with ethical and professional standards. These volumes offer invaluable guidance for anyone involved in conducting or using forensic evaluations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

poor service
I was sent the wrong book. Although Mary, the seller, stated that she would send the correct book at a discount, it was not forthcoming.I would not reorder from this seller. ... Read more

Product Description
Criminal behaviour continues to be a matter of major public concern. How should society respond? What should be done with those who offend repeatedly?

Offender Rehabilitation and Treatment links theory, research and practice in a coherent way by providing a systematic, evidence-based approach for the effective reduction of criminal behaviour. James McGuire has brought together internationally renowned experts from a variety of specialisms to present the cutting edge of the most recent and exciting developments in this field.

The coverage of the book includes:

• three new meta-analytic reviews published for the first time

• update surveys on "what works" from Europe and North America

• methods of longer-term developmental crime prevention

• implementation issues for new programmes and services

• the links between violence and alcohol, domestic violence/spouse abuse, treatment of sexual offenders and approaches to predatory offenders.

Product Description
CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR: A PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH, 9/e approaches the understanding of delinquent and criminal behavior from a psychological perspective—with particular focus on the developmental, cognitive-behavioral aspects of offending. Viewing the juvenile and adult offender as being embedded and continually influenced by multiple systems, it highlights how psychological, social, economic, political and ecological factors all play a role in influencing individual behavior.  Streamlined in this edition, it offers a separate chapter on delinquency, updated examples and more on the link between psychology and specific crimes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

great seller
Book was recevied quickly, was in great shape, and I would buy from this seller again.Thanks

Excellent Service!
The book was promptly received and was in excellent condition. I was very pleased with this purchase.

Psychology of Criminal Behavior
I had to purchase this book for a class for a master's level degree.I found it a great resource and have enjoyed the information in the book.

Criminal Behavior Review
This latest edition of Criminal Behavior by Bartol & Bartol has proved to be very useful in the study of forensic psychology.

Prepare to be... meh.
This was required for a graduate course for me. It's a decent text, very similar to the two or three other texts by the same authors I've had to read for my course of study. There are some concepts which are particular to this text which I did not see in their others, but overall it was just kind of "meh" to me.

Some topics are glossed over, in particular I was disappointed in their discussion of profiling. While there is a reference to the work of Turvey in that section, the context implied the authors were not very familiar with his work, or chose to focus on more "popular" realms of thought on the topic.

For the undergraduate student I might recommend this text, or to someone just beginning to enter the field of psychology, criminal psychology, or forensic psychology, but to the seasoned graduate student or practitioner I would not. ... Read more

Product Description

Linking the murders of an alleged serial killer to successfully present a case in court involves a specific methodology that has been scrutinized by the judicial system but is largely absent in the current literature. Serial Violence: Analysis of Modus Operandi and Signature Characteristics of Killers fully explains the process of finding the nexus between one violent crime and another for the purpose of pursuing the same offender at trial.

Examines real cases of some of the world’s most notorious serial killers

Written by renowned experts, this book focuses on analyzing crimes of violence to unveil common characteristics that might prove useful in the identification, apprehension, and conviction of murderers. It begins by detailing the historical origins of modus operandi as an investigative tool. It examines murderous ritualistic behavior in a variety of cases, including William Heirens, Harvey Glatman, Morris Frampton, and Jack the Ripper. Later chapters discuss serial murders accompanied by burglary, torture, picquerism, sexual violence, sexual degradation, and a host of other behaviors.

Includes color photographs of actual crime scenes

Containing 40 color photos, this volume includes useful information for expert witnesses and portions of transcripts of original testimony. The scintillating detail and rigorous analysis presented in this volume enables those charged with solving these violent crimes to discern the types of modus operandi and ritualistic behaviors that can be linked to the same offender, helping law enforcement bring these dangerous offenders to justice.

About the Authors

Bob Keppel served on the King County homicide task force that investigated the infamous Ted Bundy and has been an expert witness on scores of serial killer signature profile cases across the United States. Along with coauthor William Birnes, Dr. Keppel worked on a United States Department of Justice grant to evaluate how local police homicide units use computer database technology to track serial killer and sexual offender cases by cross-referencing offender psychological signatures.

Customer Reviews (1)

Great book
This book is an amazing reference for anyone who is studying psychology or criminal justice.It is also an interesting read for those who just want to know more about serial killers and how they operate. ... Read more

Product Description
Criminal Profiling is a unique work centered on the deductive profiling method developed by the author and motivated by the limited knowledge available regarding the criminal profiling process. Deductive profiling is different from other forms of profiling in that it focuses on criminal profiling as an investigative process, solving real crime through an honest understanding of the nature and behavior of criminals. It approaches each criminal incident as its own universe of behaviors and relationships. Throughout the text, the author illustrates and emphasizes the most crucial tenet that any good criminal profiler should adhere to: the enthusiastic desire to investigate and examine the facts.

This Second Edition contains the same core knowledge that made the first edition a best-seller while introducing a wealth of new material. This expanded and thoroughly revised edition includes a completely new set of case studies including the Sam Sheppard trial. New chapters include expanded coverage on false reports, psychological autopsies, criminal profiling in court, stalking, domestic homicide, sexual asphyxia, and staged crime scenes.

Contributors include: John J. Baeza, Eoghan Casey, W. Jerry Chisum, Dana S. La Fon, Michael McGrath, Wayne Petherick.

A unique approach - centred on the author's Deductive Profiling method
The work addresses related issues, such as ethics, clinical perspectives and the essential role of the task force
Written in a style accessible to a wide audience - from the detective performing hands-on casework to the academic in the classroom
Ideal text for courses on criminal profiling or investigative strategy in serial crime and as a supplement to courses involving criminology, arson, stalking, sex crimes or death investigation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Best there is
While the price can be a bit daunting, know that its well worth the pocket change. Turvey's book is beyond the best in criminal analysis, breaking down each of the many departments within the field and "spelling it out" for those who are less aware of the field.

Informative Text book
This book is very informative and easy to read. If you can find it used and in good condition - it's worth buying. If you are a student or in law enforcement, it's a must! I think the resell value holds well due to the wealth of knowledge you can find in this book. If you're a CSI fan - I think it is safe to say, it's a very interesting read. It's all real and you will find 'graphic' photos - if you're not able to handle this - I suggest you don't purchase it. There is alot to absorb and I wouldn't call it light reading.

This is a book on criminal profiling written by someone who hasn't ever solved a crime
I was disappointed that this book did little more than travel over already broken ground. This book does little more than criticize several well known FBI profilers such as Robert Ressler, John Douglas, Gregg McCrary, Ray Hazelwood, and Pete Smerick while heaping praise on Brent Turvey who has never solved any real crimes that I know. In one passage it states that Turvey came up with the insight that "Criminals lie about their crimes after having unlimited access to Jerome Brudos. In the 1980's Robert Ressler and John Douglas made it a point to read up all the case files and other information available prior to interviewing each of the subjects in their early studies; Edmund Kemper, Charles Manson, Monte Rissell, Son of Sam David Berkowitz, Ted Bundy, William Hierens, and Jerry Brudos. Ressler and Douglas stated that because these notorious criminals had been in prison for so long they'd each thought up all kinds of ways to justify their crimes to make themselves sound more sympathetic. I was also struck by the childish attitude of the book that theirs is only one way to perform profiling. This book sheds no new light on profiling and doesn't discuss any new cases, instead it skips aroundthe highlights of other old cases and heaps criticisms on the real profilers who solved the crimes. Don't waste your time or money on this.

Avoid the self proclaimed "criminal profiler"
Brent Turvey has placed some nice pictures and logical ideas in his book however, the reader must keep in mind that Mr Turvey is a self proclaimed "criminal profiler."The book is worth a flip through but not recommended to be on your shelf, if you work in the field of forensic psychology.It is this reader's recommendation to stick to books written by Dr. David Canter, Dr. Laurence Alison and academic journals if you are involved on hands on work in the field.

Do not buy this book
This book is awful I can't beleave I spent money on it. Brent Turvey must have been turned down for a FBI's BSU for a job. Now he spends his time writing books that make people dUmbEr and slaming some of the best Profilers in the world. Do yourself a favor and save your money and I'll tag it under juck. ... Read more

Product Description
Few crimes generate greater public reaction than those where a mother murders her child.We are repelled, yet mesmerized, by the emerging details of cases such as Andrea Yates and Susan Smith.Annually, hundreds of infants and young children perish at the hands of their mothers.How could a mother destroy the first and most fundamental relationship we experience?
In Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook, Geoffrey R. McKee, Ph.D. uses more than a dozen case studies from his 29-year forensic psychological evaluation practice to help us, and most importantly, prevent these horrific events from occurring.He applies current research findings to analyze, explain, and suggest practical interventions to alter the personal, familial, and situational circumstances that may influence some mothers to kill.With an emphasis on prevention, Dr. McKee sets out specific strategies that might have been employed at various "risk intervention points" occurring before the child's death.
Through the use of extended narratives the author brings to life the thoughts and emotions experienced by women in each of the five categories of mothers he has identified from his years of practice.Additionally, the author presents the Maternal Filicide Risk Matrix which he developed to help mental health and medical professionals determine the risk and protective factors that lead mothers to kill their children.
Students, as well as mental health and medical professionals will find this an important and unique resource. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook
Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook

In our area, Auburn Indiana, we had a case that could have been potentially fatal for a newborn baby.There was a well written newspaper article in the Kendallville News Sun paper that covered this case and this book was quoted. I bought the book on Amazon and the book was written for anyone who works with people.Specifically mentally health professionals, police officers, teachers, and health care workers could enrich their experiences and make better decisions for people by reading this book.

By reading this book, you too could help to make a difference in someone's life if she may be dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.Talk to people even though it makes you feel uncomfortable. When you suspect a neighbor, teen, friend or family member may be pregnant ask.You could help someone and you may not even realize it. Young mothers, people with mental health issues, and those unwanted accidents can be handled with love.Reach out to others and help.This book opened my eyes too the whys.Understanding the risk analysis will help psychologist, psychiatrists, pediatricians, sociologist, social workers, criminologist, and attorneys.

An excellent forensic resource
A fascinating book that is useful forthose who evaluate and work with these mothers as well as those who are interested in the prevention of these crimes.

Excellent Comprehensive Resource
Geoffrey McKee's book "Why Mothers Kill: A Forensic Psychologist's Casebook" provides a comprehensive overview of an important and sensitive topic.The book offers extended narratives which provide vital contextual information necessary to understanding this complex phenomenon.Readers benefit from Dr. McKee's 29 years of experience with forensic psychiatric evaluation and his ability to merge research and clinical experience and to produce practical prevention/risk intervention methods.This exceptional book is reader friendly and one of the best references available on the topic of filicide.

More than expected
Excellent.Before reading, I thought it was just a review of cases, but it was more than that.In Chapter 2, the author give a concise and good review of research in the topic of filicide.The author discuss maternal filicide characteristics in terms of demograpgic, education, IQ, marital status, and many other historical characteristics of the cases as well as victim's characteristics.I like the case analysis and the epilogue in which he satisfies our curiosity and give us an update of what happened to each one of the perpetrators after the prosecution.Interesting the many suggestions the author brings light for risk prevention at intervention points.

Relevant and Readable
Why Mothers Kill: A title that beacons you to take a second look at this book.It is well worth the look and the read... an in depth research based book that points mental health professionals toward interventions where they might lower the risk of the deaths of children. In today's society we must understand why these crimes occur and do what we can do to prevent these acts of violence.It is readable, relevent, based on research and full of the how tos of interventions so we can help prevent these type of crime. ... Read more

Product Description

In this pointed study of serial killers, internationally known Forensic Psychologist Duane Dobbert shows us how - even years before the crimes were commmitted- the perpetrators of lust homicides exhibited behaviors showing certain mental and sexual disorders which grew to fuel the horiffic murders. Dobbert's analysis, covering 13 killers from Herman Mudgett, who confessed to 27 murders in the late 1800s, to Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed 17 young men and boys between 1978 and 1991 - looks at their early lives and development of Antisocial Personality Disorder, as well as sexual disorders including sexual sadism and necrophilia. Special attention is paid to early signs of these disorders that were missed, mishandled, minimized or ignored by professionals in law enforcement, education, health care and criminal justice. The author demonstrates how and why most serial murders are sexually motivated, and fueled by this combination of psychopathy and sexual disorder. Having a clear understanding of the precursor behaviors could benefit us by enabling prediction and prevention of such crimes, says Dobbert. He also addresses signs of psychopathy and sexual disorders that should send red flags up to any adult or parent looking to protect their loved ones from harm.

Dobbert offers psychological and social history of each killer, from early life on, which molded each into an ultimate monster. Lucas, for example, was born to a prostitute and an alcoholic father who lost his legs in a train accident. He was forced to watch his mother perform sexual acts with clients, regularly beaten and one head injury from a beating put him into a coma. His mother curled his hair into ringlets anddressed him as a girl, sending him to school like that. Lucas showed all the signs of Conduct Disorder by the time he was 10 and already an alcoholic. He was obsessed with sex by the time he was 13, and had sex with his half-brother, as well as animals he would trap, torture and kill in sexual rituals. Lucas was convicted as a teenager of a burglary, and sent to a training school, where he was disruptive and attempted several escapes, but released a year later. He confessed later to raping his 12-year-old niece the next day. Each of these killers have a unique psychological development, but all demonstrated early the patterned behavior of psychopathy and sexual disorder, explains Dobbert.

Product Description
This work aims to provide an in-depth overview of forensic psychology, bringing together a team of leading authorities in the field to demonstrate the scope and techniques of forensic psychology in key areas of research, policy and practice. The aim is to go beyond the introductory texts on the subject to challenge perceptions, to raise questions for research and to pose problems for practice, to inspire and to stimulate, demonstrating the ways in which forensic psychology can aid the practice of criminal justice. ... Read more

Product Description
The popularity of television shows like NBC's PROFILER and movies such as SILENCE OF THE LAMBS has made the concept of criminal profiling familiar to most Americans. Though such dramas follow the general approach of real-life criminal investigative analysis, Hollywood's artistic license too often simplifies and even sensationalizes the work of those who attempt to unravel the complex workings of the criminal mind. In this compilation of expert articles written by internationally recognized homicide investigators - most of them pioneers in developing the science and the art of profiling - readers gain fascinating insights that could have emerged only after years of experience tracking and analyzing the behavior of some of America's most notorious serial criminals.

In PROFILERS, editors John H. Campbell and Don DeNevi bring together for the first time a collection of articles on important facets of criminal profiling - which, for the most part, have remained a mystery to the general public. The contributors cover many gripping topics - including an interview with cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer, details of autoerotic fatalities, the challenges of creating psychological profiles, and the use of forensic linguistics to track the Unabomber 0 and they try to understand why some killers go to such extremes as removing the eyes of their victims or setting their helpless victims ablaze. These contemporary pieces follow and expand upon some original articles on criminal profiling - reports on dealing with hostage situations and on sexual killers who disfigure their bodies.

A must for readers of true crime, forensic investigations, and murder mysteries, this unique collection of revealing articles offers a chilling and unparalleled glimpse into the inner workings of the criminal mind. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

This book is retarded.
This book does not give an accurate description of a profilers job. It makes profiler's seem like psychics. Would make a better tv show but not helpful to anyone serious about learning Criminal profiling.

Nothing less than a "Wow!"
I'm an obsessed soon-to-be forensic nurse. (I already have the nurse part.)I've read lots of material on profilers - one of my favorite subjects. Most of the books are, to one degree or another, an homage to the profiler's ego and everyone contradicts everyone else. (Just read the other reviews.)I've found this to be true even for textbooks. There's always lots about who did what first and did it better. Very unprofessional in my humble opinion. I think the reviews I read here gave me the inspiration to try "Profilers". This is truly a wonderful and fun, yes fun, book to read. If you're into this sort of thing you'll know what I mean. It's definitely a beginners guide to profiling but I think even the mid-level enthusiast or professional would enjoy it. The book is a collection of articles, research papers and the like by many names you will instantly recognize. There are 2 sections to the book, the first made up of older contributions to the field. At first I was a little disappointed with this because I wanted the newest, most up to date material there was. I read those articles anyway and was really glad I did. I think knowing how it all started, how the first profilers worked and who the players were did a lot to add to my foundation. The 2nd section contains the newer material and does not disappoint. Since the articles are by many different people on many different topics you keep getting fresh perspectives. You don't have to read the book in order. I skipped to whatever chapter looked appealing at the moment and didn't feel it hurt the experience. Best of all, no ego trips to slog through.

This is a terrific read, especially for the beginner to the field. You will learn about profiles of all types, homicide, rape, mutilation, sexual homicide, crime scenes, organized vs. disorganized murderers, interviewing, linguistics, enucleation, cold cases, geographic profiling, child abductors, psychopaths, sadists, basic terminology and much, much more. All this is written in an easy, relaxed style that I think anyone who has an interest in forensics will enjoy.

The only thing that bugged me was the fact that they used a good bit of material from the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletins which are available online for free. Also, there was definitely a good bit of repetition of material. I still enjoyed the book so much I can't take away any points for those small issues.

profilers
very detailed but interesting if this what you are interested in. this is what real life is about.

Best read on Profiling
Criminal psychology and profiling are my areas of biggest interest in the realm of true crime. As I have a library of over 50 books on this and related topics I certainly feel qualified to write reviews on these books.
This book is devided into two parts. The first is a collection eleven odd articles from various bulletins and law enforcement magazines. Put simply, as the book tiltles them, this is a collection of the well known Original Behavioural Science Articles on Criminal Profiling. They are written by the 'who's who' from the era often referred to as 'The Golden Age of Profilers'. For this reason alone the book is well worth 'the price of admission.'
Part two covers comtemporary articles on Criminal Profiling. The topices are wide and varied covering such topics as Forensic Linguistics, Geographic Profiling to Assaultive Eye Injury and Enucleation.
I wondered how interested I would be in Forensic Linguistics but found the chapter facinating.
I feel most readers with an interest in the topic will find part one just great. In part two, since it covers such a wide range of areas I guess it's possible the odd chapter may not appearl to all.
The other plus here is the fact the book is broken into distinct articles by the editors so you can 'peice read' or do a 'cover to cover'.
I see the book as appealing to law inforcemnet personel, people like myself who don't work in law inforcement but have to deal with perpitrators and their victims and finally all those who enjoy the topic.
If I were forced to give up my entire library and keep just one book this would nearly have to be the one.
A great book, well done to Campbell and DeNevi, the editors.

The best read I have found in a long time
I was so enthralled in this book I could not stop reading it.There is so much information on so many different cases and scenarios.I am working toward being a forensic psychologist this book was FANTASTICK ... Read more

Product Description
From preface:
"Of all disciplines necessary to the criminal justice in addition to the knowledge of law, the most important are those derived from psychology. For such sciences teach him to know the type of man it is his business to deal with. Now psychological sciences appear in various forms. There is a native psychology, a keenness of vision given in the march of experience, to a few fortunate persons, who see rightly without having learned the laws which determine the course of events, or without being even conscious of them. Of this native psychological power many men show traces, but very few indeed are possessed of as much as criminalists intrinsically require. In the colleges and pre-professional schools we jurists may acquire a little scientific psychology as a ``philosophical propaedeutic,'' but we all know how insufficient it is and how little of it endures in the business of life. And we had rather not reckon up the number of criminalists who, seeing this insufficiency, pursue serious psychological investigations."

An excerpt:
"...Alarming oneself is not performed by words, but by the reciprocal influence of word and gesture, and the power of that influence is observable in the large number of cases where, in the end, people themselves believe what they have invented. If they are of delicate spiritual equilibrium they even become hypochondriacs. Writing, and the reading of writing, is to be considered in the same way as gesticulation; it has the same alarming influence on voice and general appearance as the other, so that it is relatively indifferent whether a man speaks and acts or writes and thinks. This fact is well known to everybody who has ever in his life written a really coarse letter.

Now this exciting gesticulation can be very easily observed, but the observation must not come too late. If the witness is once quite lost in it and sufficiently excited by the concomitant speeches he will make his gestures well and naturally and the artificial and untrue will not be discoverable. But this is not the case in the beginning; then his gestures are actually not skilful, and at that point a definite force of will and rather notable exaggerations are observable; the gestures go further than the words, and that is a matter not difficult to recognize. As soon as the recognition is made it becomes necessary to examine whether a certain congruity invariably manifests itself between word and gesture, inasmuch as with many people the above-mentioned lack of congruity is habitual and honest. This is particularly the case with people who are somewhat theatrical and hence gesticulate too much. But if word and gesture soon conform one to another, especially after a rather lively presentation, you may be certain that the subject has skilfully worked himself into his alarm or whatever it is he wanted to manifest. Quite apart from the importance of seeing such a matter clearly the interest of the work is a rich reward for the labor involved..." ... Read more

Product Description
The Handbook of Juvenile Forensic Psychology is a comprehensive handbook for mental health professionals working with juveniles in the criminal justice system and in family and dependency courts. Written by a panel of experts in the field, the book focuses on the proactive prevention, accurate evaluation, and progressive treatment for delinquent juveniles and for juveniles caught in the web of a contentious divorce or in the foster care system. ... Read more

Product Description
It is essential for anyone involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases to be aware of the often hidden and subtle warning signs of Munchausen by Proxy. Munchausen syndrome, classified as a mental illness, occurs when a person inflicts or fabricates illness upon themselves, often as an attention-getting device. Munchausen by Proxy (MBP) is an even more insidious disorder in that such illness or injury is inflicted upon a victim-usually a child. Awareness can stop the vicious cycle of abusePractical Aspects of Munchausen by Proxy and Munchausen Syndrome Investigation is the most comprehensive law enforcement handbook written on MBP, which is now considered an index factor in child abuse investigations and as a suspicion factor in the deaths of young children. This book offers detailed insight into the dynamics of MBP abuse and the Munchausen offender. The text chronicles real cases of MBP and Munchausen in the dominion of law enforcement and relates them to general principles of criminal investigations. With this practical guide, readers will be able to readily identify Munchausen-related behavior, apply that recognition in all types of investigations, improve the ability to detect covert or falsified crimes, have the basic knowledge to effectively combat MBP child victimization, or to successfully proscecute MBP cases. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A wonderful law enforcement field guide
Obviously the author of the one star review has had some negative experience with regards to the subject matter of this book. To call the information "outdated" is ludicrous in that so little information has been available for so long. Those that have participated in the web of deceit referred to as Munchausen's Syndrome find it difficult to accept the truth and are often on the offensive with anyone that possesses the knowledge of this disorder and its existance. Their anger and resentment is further exacerbated when this information is conveyed in any logical, fact based manner.

Over-priced and Out Dated!
This witch-hunt is over. The creator of MSBP (Roy Meadow) has been exposed and discredited for his "fanciful tales" and courts all over the UK are overturning convictions. Courts in the US are recognizing that this is not a diagnosis accepted by any medical establishment.

Child abuse can not be diagnosied by warning signs and attention-seeking behavior can only be diagnosed by a qualified professional once a crime has been established by medical fact.

An important work from an acknowledged expert in the field.
Detective Artingstall is well-known for her body of writings and her experience in Munchausen syndrome and Munchausen by proxy cases.In this authoritative work, she provides insights and practical assistance missingfrom most other books on the subject.Legal forms, lists of pertinentquestions to ask as cases are examined, and summaries of chapter highlightsare among the useful elements of the book.The book is also liberallydotted with case studies, including legal outcomes.Although thecopy-editing is not as thorough as I would have liked, the content of thebook is outstanding.Detective Artingstall's book will be an often-citedresource for practitioners of multiple disciplines--social work, lawenforcement, nursing, medicine, child protection, and more.Whilefactitious disorder and Munchausen syndrome have been long-acknowledged inthe professional literature, the type of abuse called Munchausen by proxyhas been recognized and studied only within the last 2 decades.Works suchas this one--based on a mastery of the literature, a wealth of personalexperience, and an abiding desire to uncover the truth (no matter howdisturbing)--will be invaluable in irrefutably establishing Munchausen byproxy as a public health and criminal-justice issue that requires ourcareful attention. ... Read more

Product Description
"Clinical Forensic Psychology and Law" is a compilation of recent and classic articles providing comprehensive coverage of the field of clinical forensic psychology and law. Selected articles sample the major areas of the discipline, including criminal and civil forensic assessment, forensic treatment, youth assessment and intervention, and professional and ethical issues in forensic practice. The volume is designed for use by scholars, graduates and undergraduates in psychology and law schools. ... Read more

Product Description
Not dwelling on academic or theoretical issues, this book shows the day-to-day work in a forensic practice. It proposes a new approach to this work - one that allows the psychologist to be truly objective and not compromise his ethics by being a "hired gun". This book aims to offer the reader the chance to get a real feel of what a forensic practice is like by involving them with case studies of the types of people that are evaluated. The reports in this book include cases of juvenile delinquents, adult defendants, disputing parents, sexual perpetrators, Social Security claimants and students. They reveal situations where parents with backgrounds of mental illness were granted custody of their children, and cases where they were not. Similarly, the reports include cases of allegations of sexual abuse, some deemed to be true, some false. These reports are compiled in order for the reader to absorb them and learn how to start or expand a forensic psychology practice. ... Read more

Product Description
This important original work recognises the close relationship between criminology and forensic psychology. It offers evidence-based psychological research, relevant to the current legal justice systems operating in Australia and New Zealand. The chapters are written by a range of experienced specialists, and reflect major areas that forensic psychologists work in and give a real sense of the underpinning knowledge base from which the profession works. Readers will obtain an understanding of the diverse, complex and challenging tasks that forensic psychologists face on a day-to-day basis and the implications the field has for psychology as a whole as well as related disciplines. Methodological issues are covered in a way that is relevant to forensic settings, and a focus is given to implementation and treatment programs. This book attempts to balance the work of academic forensic psychologists primarily interested in teaching and research with the understanding of practioners who spend time in prisons, courts, tribunals, psychiatric hospitals and facilities and other relevant institutions and organisations.Forensic Psychology and Criminology is an essential resource for students undertaking tertiary studies in the area, as well as academic forensic psychologists and practioners in the field. ... Read more

Product Description
This book aims to transform criminal profiling into a credible science and practice that will reliably aid law enforcement investigation. Builds on existing practice and research and calls for empirical information that can lead to a sound new science of criminal profiling. ... Read more

Product Description

This edited book explores how psychology can be used to improve our understanding of terrorism and counterterrorism.

This work firstly aims to provide balanced and objective insight into the psychology of terrorists; what their motivations are, what keeps them involved in terrorist groups, and what eventually forces most to end their active involvement in terrorism. Secondly, the contributors focus on the challenging issue of how to respond to terrorism. These chapters provide information for those concerned with short-term tactical problems (e.g. interviewing), as well as those looking towards the more long-term strategic questions of bringing an entire terrorist campaign to an end. Ultimately, the individuals involved in terrorism require a more complex response from society than simply a quest for their apprehension. Believing inaccurate and misleading characterizations leads inevitably to damaging policies and deficient outcomes and campaigns of violence are needlessly prolonged. It is from this perspective that the concern arises with how researchers – and the policy makers guided by them – perceive the psychology of terrorists and of terrorism.

This innovative book will be of great interest to students of terrorism and counter-terrorism, security studies, psychology and politics, as well as security professionals and military colleges.

Product Description
A well-known forensic psychologist draws upon twenty years of experience to discuss the use and misuse of the insanity defense in such celebrated criminal cases as the Menendez brothers, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Joel Rifkin. 25,000 first printing. Tour."Amazon.com Review
"Americans are frightened and outraged by violent crime andtheir frustration at not being able to stop it. Bashing the insanitydefense is universally seen as a way of getting tough on crime.Ironically, as we all seem to abdicate responsibility for our own lives,we seem to assert that everyone else, even the mentally impaired, isresponsible for his." Barbara Kirwin is a forensic psychologist mostoften employed by prosecuting attorneys to distinguish the bona fidemental cases from the fakers. In The Mad, the Bad, and theInnocent she delivers a stinging critique of the American legal system'sabuse of the insanity defense--both what she calls "designer defenses"that put violent psychopaths in mental hospitals, and the equallydeplorable practice of sending schizophrenics to jail. Her writingstyle is engaging, but she lapses occasionally into aself-dramatizing mode that undercuts the seriousness of her concerns.The strength of The Mad, the Bad, and theInnocent is in the examples: dozens of fascinatingcase histories illustrate, better than any mere argument could, thecomplex issues involved in deciding who is sick and who is evil. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Fair
Dr. Barbara Kirwin draws on her years of experience as a forensic psychologist to talk about some of the the most eyebrow-raising cases of the past 20 years where the insanity defense was used and abused.
She has seen a lot in her line of work and readers will appreciate her insider's view, but too much of this cheap book is a wordy and repetitive diatribe against the criminal justice system. Her memory is keen and I do not question her credentials as a psychologist, but she is neither philosophical nor wise enough to be a social critic. Much of the book is like listening to a child whine about a denied sundae.

Passionate indictment of court treatment of insanity issues
In this timely, interesting book, psychologist Barbara R. Kirwin writes of her experience as a forensic psychologist in the New York City area.Kirwin did most of her evaluations and testimony on behalf of the prosecution, but her writing does not suffer from a prosecutorial bias.Rather, Kirwin attacks the treatment of insanity issues in the courts from a perspective outside traditional categories.

While Kirwin deplores the use of "designer defenses" by high-paid counsel attempting to secure acquittals for psychopathic clients, she also is dismayed by juries' willingness to convict persons who are obviously mentally ill and in need of treatment, simply because the defendant "did the crime."Her lack of faith in jurors' ability to understand and apply the various insanity tests leads her at one point to suggest that insanity issues be removed from the jury's consideration altogether.She does not discuss the issues this might raise under the Sixth Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees a defendant the right to jury trial.This is a very thorny issue and deserves further study.Overall, Kirwin is better at identifying the problems with such relics as the M'Naughten insanity test than she is at proposing workable solutions.

The book would have benefitted from a broader discussion of the issues surrounding some of the defenses she discusses, including the multiple personality disorder defense.That defense poses fascinating philosophical and criminological issues, since the "alternate personality" who committed the crime is still part of the defendant's self, though perhaps alienated from the "higher" personae who are more capable of controlling their actions.Kirwin believes psychopaths should be punished for their crimes; what about a psychopathic "alternate personality"?A lot more could have been said here; overall Kirwin just skims the surface.

Agoodvoice of common sense.
Excellent book dealing with topics such as faking bad and faking good, malingering, and understanding of the workings of the criminal mind as s/he comes into contact with the justice system. Other important issues arediscussed such as the effect of the media in the courtroom, and thequestion of common sense at the end of the day after all the legalise hassaid its piece.Other highlights include reaction of jurors and judges inthe face of the presentations layers make who are essentially interested inwinning for their client. A justice system should be able to come to thetruth and act on that at the end of the day, rather than how good oneslawyer is.

Criminals Don't Just Surface
This book doesn't contain a lot of great information, but it DOES make a few great points.Dr. Kirwin makes a fine statement when she says "Any criminal is a long time in the making, and there are many clear signs alongthe way." Amen, sister! One of the biggest responsibilities society hasshirked is admitting when a failure is in the making. Law enforcement wouldalso benefit by NOT believing serial killers are quiet, unknown men wholive unseen in the community. Bullfeathers! They are the outstandingweirdoes that we pretend don't exist. Dr. Kirwin also hits hard on the lackof accountability in the judicial system. As she puts it "no continuity, nofollow-up." Pat Brown/Director/Investigative Criminal Profiler/TheSexual Homicide Exchange, Inc.

Should be called "Why I think the legal system is Wrong"
I picked this book up hoping it would be about thecriminal mind, as the title suggests. Instead it is mostly Dr. Kirwin's thoughts about how the legal system treats mentally ill patients unfairly.This is all prpbablytrue, but it is NOT what the title implies. She just goes on and on aboutlack of funding and peoples reaction to a not guilty by insanity plea. Shetalks more about the legal system than about the criminal mind. I wantedabook that talked about why criminals act the way they do. This was not it. ... Read more