Forensic Psychology For Dummies

Law, order and the criminal mind – a fascinating introduction to forensic psychology and its many applications

Want to understand what makes the criminal mind tick? In this fascinating guide a top forensic psychologist goes beyond the myths and media sensationalism to clue you in on what forensic psychologists really do. Using real–life case examples from around the world, he shows you how they work and the important contributions they make to the criminal justice system. He also provides valuable pointers on how to break into this exciting field.

Watch the forensic psychologist in action – learn how psychology contributes to the investigative process, including ′offender profiling′ and detecting lies

Penetrate the criminal mind – discover the various methods psychologists have developed for assessing offenders

Witness psychology in the courtroom – discover how psychologists give guidance in legal proceedings and the valuable assistance they offer prosecutors and defence attorneys alike

Find out about their work behind bars – uncover how psychologists work with convicted offenders in their rehabilitation

Discover how to become a forensic psychologist – learn about the training that′s required and the major stages in the career of a typical forensic psychologist

Get the lowdown on great cases where forensic psychology has made all the difference – read accounts of how some of the greats of the profession helped crack cases and bring dangerous felons to justice

Open the book and find:

Why people commit crimes

How psychologists help in the investigative process

The truth about ′offender profiling′

Methods for interviewing witnesses and victims

Tactics for interviewing suspects and detecting lies

How psychology is used in the courtroom

Info about working with criminals behind bars

The most promising career opportunities in forensic psychology

Learn about:

How psychology is used in criminal investigations and the courtroom

The interviewing of suspects and witnesses – and how the experts detect lies!

The ways psychologists work with offenders

How you can become a forensic psychologist

Foreword xxi

Introduction 1

Part I: Nailing Forensic Psychology: A Moving Target 7

Chapter 1: Discovering the Truth about Forensic Psychology 9

Chapter 2: Exploring the World of the Criminal 29

Chapter 3: Providing Expert Evidence: Forensic Psychology and the Law 51

Part II: Helping the Police Solve Crimes 69

Chapter 4: Interviewing Witnesses and Victims 71

Chapter 5: Exposing Liars and Detecting Deception 93

Chapter 6: Profiling Offenders and Distinguishing the Types of Crimes They Commit 121

Chapter 7: Understanding Victims of Crime and Their Experiences 149

Chapter 8: Preventing Crime: Problems, Processes and Perseverance 169

Part III: Measuring the Criminal Mind 187

Chapter 9: Measuring, Testing and Assessing the Psychology of Offenders 189

Chapter 10: Diagnosing Evil: Measuring the Criminal Mind 207

Part IV: Viewing Psychology in Court 221

Chapter 11: Giving Guidance in Legal Proceedings 223

Chapter 12: Making Sense in Court: Psychological Aspects of the Legal Processes 249

Part V: Helping and Treating Offenders 267

Chapter 13: Intervening to Rehabilitate Offenders 269

Chapter 14: Dealing with Violence 289

Chapter 15: Treating Sexual Offenders 305

Chapter 16: Working with Juvenile Offenders 323

Part VI: The Part of Tens 337

Chapter 17: Ten Professional Requirements for Forensic Psychologists 339

Chapter 18: Ten Stages in Becoming a Professional Forensic Psychologist 347

Chapter 19: Ten Emerging Areas of Forensic Psychology 355

Chapter 20: Ten Cases in Which Forensic Psychology Was Crucial 363

Index 375

David Canter, the world–leading crime psychologist, is perhaps most widely known as one of the pioneers of ′Offender Profiling′, being the first to introduce its use to the UK. He subsequently founded the discipline of Investigative Psychology and is now Director of the International Research Centre for Investigative Psychology.