A fascinating guide on the psychology of crime
Thinking 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.
Table of Content
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
About the author
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.