Synopses & Reviews
Law, order and the criminal mind – a fascinating introduction to forensic psychology and its many applicationsWant 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
Synopsis
A fascinating guide on the psychology of crimeThinking of a career that indulges your CSI fantasies? Want to understand the psychology of crime? Whether studying it for the first time or an interested spectator, Forensic Psychology For Dummies gives you all the essentials for understanding this exciting field, complemented with fascinating case examples from around the world.
Inside you'll find out why people commit crime, how psychology helps in the investigative process, the ways psychologists work with criminals behind bars - and how you too can become a forensic psychologist. You'll discover what a typical day is like for a forensic psychologist, how they work with the police to build offender profiles, interview suspects or witnesses, and detect lies!
- Covers the important role psychology plays in assessing offenders
- Explains how psychology is applied in the courtroom
- Explains complicated psychology concepts in easy-to-understand terms
If you're a student considering taking forensic psychology or just love to learn about the science behind crime, Forensic Psychology For Dummies is everything you need to get up-to-speed on this fascinating subject.
About the Author
Professor 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.
Table of Contents
Foreword xxiIntroduction 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