Product Description
Lie detection, offender profiling, jury selection, insanity in the law, predicting the risk of re-offending , the minds of serial killers, and many other topics that fill news and fiction are all aspects of the rapidly developing area of scientific psychology broadly known as Forensic Psychology. This fascinating Very Short Introduction discusses all the aspects of psychology that are relevant to the legal and criminal process as a whole. It includes explanations of criminal behavior and criminality, including the role of mental disorder in crime, and it reveals how forensic psychology contributes to helping investigate the crime and catching the perpetrators. David Canter also explains how psychologists provide guidance to all those involved in civil and criminal court proceedings, including both the police and the accused, and what expert testimony can be provided by a psychologist about the offender at the trial. Finally, Canter describes how forensic psychology is used, particularly in prisons, to help in the management, treatment and rehabilitation of offenders, once they have been convicted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An accessible and relevant introduction to forensic psychology
Forensic psychology is a fascinating branch of psychology in its own right. However, much of what most people imagine this field to be comes from crime novels, movies and TV shows, and for most part these fictional accounts are far removed from the actual real-world discipline. This very short introduction aims to dispel most of the myths and misconceptions that surround forensic psychology, and introduce the reader to this intriguing field in an accessible and readable manner.

The book is written from the point of view of forensic psychology as practiced in the UK, although most of the material is relevant for the US and other settings. The author is in fact credited for bringing forensic psychology to the UK, and has extensive knowledge of its practices and applications.

It is important to distinguish forensic psychology from two other fields with which it's often confused: forensic science and criminology. The former deals primarily with the physical aspect of crime, while the latter is interested in the societal aspects of criminal activity. As the author of this book puts it, forensic psychology deals with criminals, while these other fields deal with crime.

In the past there has been a great effort in trying to classify criminality as some sort of personality trait or psychological disease. These attempts have seen their heyday in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Most experts today, however, agree that there is no single "criminal mind" that all criminals share. There are many circumstances that lead to any given crime, and although some sort of psychological predisposition may be at play, it is certainly not the only or even the dominant feature.

Forensic psychology has evolved over the years, and today it already consists of several different subdivisions. There are forensic psychologists who specialize in being courtroom expert witnesses, there are those who work alongside the police in trying to solve crimes (profilers), some work with attorneys in preparing the witnesses and choosing the jury, but the vast majority work with criminals who have already been incarcerated. The rehabilitation process is very tricky, and we still don't have a sliver bullet that can help all criminals emerge from prison completely ready to join the society. This continues to be an active area of research, with forensic psychologists leading the way.

The book concludes with musings on the future of forensic psychology and all the outstanding prelims and issues where it will play a role. The book provides the reader with a very good sense of what this field is all about and what kind of developments are expected in the future. ... Read more

Product Description
Written by two of the leading authorities in the field, FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, Third Edition introduces you to the practice of forensic psychology by showing how psychologists aid the legal system by serving as expert witnesses, criminal profilers, and trial consultants for jury selection and child custody hearings. Wrightsman and Fulero present the roles and responsibilities of forensic psychologists, and address both the opportunities and temptations inherent in those roles. Through this lens, the authors explore the ethical issues facing practicing forensic psychologists, such as promising clients too much, the possibility of becoming advocates rather than objective scientists, and the pitfalls associated with substituting one's values for data. The authors provide an accurate and candid picture of the field, and the range of careers in forensic psychology. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Adequate Forensic Psychology Text
I would agree with the previous poster that this test is best intended for an introductory course for Forensic Psychology. Its function is to provide the basics and foundations of the many and varied role Forensic Psychologists face and are utilized in the criminal justice system. It's not overwhelmingly long, and written in a clear, concise manner that the student can find very manageable. This test was used in my Forensic Psychology course at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI in the summer of 2008. It serves its purpose for allowing psychology and other related social science background to see if the forensic realm of psychology is a field that they would find interesting to pursue. The authors give lots of real life examples of each subject in the chapters, as well as data to support their arguments.

Forensic Psychology
Some chapters were too long. I did not find this book interesting, as a matter of fact it was rather dull and boring!

Fair introductory text, but disappointed by lack of depth
I am an attorney for a psychiatric hospital and purchased this text, which was the primary required textbook in a graduate level Psychology and Law class that I took last Fall.The book served its purpose as a very general, basic introduction to the field, but if you are looking for a reference text, as I had hoped this would be, this book will likely fail to meet your needs.I found the bibliographic references to primary sources in the literature to be the best part of the book; without that, I probably would have given the text one (1) star.

I like this book.
I like this book. It is filled with a lot of interesting information about how the U.S. justice system uses psychology and psychologists. It also clearly defines what a forensic psychologist is. I am a fourth year psychology major and have read many psychology books about a variety of psychological subjects, and this bookis one of the most intresting I have read in a while. The only thing I do not like about it is that it has no glossary of the bold words, only a subject and name index. This makes it a little difficult to completely understand what the vocabulary words mean especially since many of them are legal terms.

The worst textbook I've ever wasted money on...
Poorly ordered, extremely dry, and almost impossible to read.And I've read a lot of textbooks.

If you want a good Forensic Psychology book, save your money on this one.Beg and plead with professors and school personnel responsible for selecting textbooks and ask them to PLEASE not choose this useless text that is better served as a large coaster. ... Read more

Product Description
Forensic Psychology is written for undergraduate students of psychology and covers all the main topics in the forensic field, from the committing of the crime, through arrests, the trial process and what happens after sentencing. It is both broad enough to give a comprehensive coverage, and detailed enough to do justice to each aspect. Arranged in four parts, leading experts in the research field have commissioned experienced teachers to provide a teaching resource that is up to date and easy to use on courses.

• Part 1, The Anatomy of Crime: definitions and measurements as well as theories of why crime is committed are covered
• Part 2, Investigating Crime: interviewing victims, witnesses and suspects, detecting deception and identifying perpetrators are included
• Part 3, The Trial Process includes detailed coverage of judicial processes, safeguarding witnesses, evidence, and the role of experts in a number of contexts
• Part 4, After Sentencing: includes a discussion of the role of sentencing and working with offenders

Product Description

Product Description
Psychological data have now become central in many areas of legal practice including criminal, health care, and child custody domains. Unfortunately, the professional and empirical literature has not kept pace with this proliferation.

Forensic Psychology: From Classroom to Courtroom fills this void, synthesizing the contributing authors' expertise into a versatile, authoritative, and empirically-derived delineation of the current status of psychological practice in each topic area, relative strengths and weaknesses of current behavioral evidence of forming legal/forensic opinions, and recommendations for future work. The book includes a discussion of the propagation of forensic psychology as a field of specialization, professional preparation issues for training as a forensic psychologist, unique ethical concerns, and an authoritative discussion of issues in several prominent areas of forensic psychology practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Review from Choice Magazine
'Covering the history of forensic psychology up to the present, van Dorsten discusses everything from ethics and standards to courtroom application and tips for testifying. He looks at different types of psychological tests and at their application to forensic matters (versus in standard psychological evaluation). Specific detailed sections treat the use of forensic assessment in the areas of malingering, competency in criminal proceedings, court-ordered mental health treatment, child custody and child abuse cases, and sexual offenses. Also covered are forensic neuropsychology (i.e., evaluation of brain injuries) and forensic psychological evaluations in personal injury civil lawsuits. Excellent examples are used to clarify points. Summing up: Recommended. Collections supporting study of this specialized area of psychology; upper-division undergraduates and above.' J. A. Brown, Kaplan Choice Magazine May 2003 Vol. 40 No. 09

Excellent survey for both experienced clinicians or students
Though this collection of essays is primarily addressed to graduate students in psychology studying forensic mental health, it provides much sophistication in all the areas it covers. The articles are well written, and cover the field well. A very useful general reference of value to both students and experienced forensic mental health clinicians. ... Read more

Product Description
In Personality-Guided Forensic Psychology, Robert J. Craig discusses the hot area of forensic psychology -- the crossroads of law and psychology -- and illustrates how personality-guided assessment is a useful tool in the multiple arenas in which forensic psychologists are active: child custody evaluation, fitness for duty evaluations, personal injury, domestic violence, and many others. The volume begins with an overview of forensic psychology and the personality theories most relevant to forensic psychology. Chapters cover assessments ranging from relatively normal evaluations (police applicants and officers, custody and personal injury) to those in which severe pathology may come into play (domestic violence and homicide). The book offers a wealth of data on personality-test scores of chronic pain patients, patients who litigate, those who commit sexual or other physical abuse or murder, and others. Psychologists who serve as expert witnesses of friends of the court in legal proceedings, those choosing candidates for intervention programs, and students of forensic psychology will find this book indispensable. Volumes in the Personality-Guided Psychology series demonstrate the utility and relevance of assessing personality variables in an array of matters of interest to psychologists. Each book illustrates how a clinical syndrome or behavior can be understood in the context of the patient's unique pattern of overall trait dynamics. ... Read more

Product Description
Now in its third edition, Criminal Profiling is established as an industry standard text. It moves evidence-based criminal profiling into a full embrace of the scientific method with respect to examining and interpreting behavioral evidence. If focuses on criminal profiling as an investigative and forensic process, helping to solve crime through an honest understanding of the nature and behavior of the most violent criminals. Throughout the text, the author outlines specific principles and practice standards for Behavioral Evidence Analysis, focusing on the application of theory and method to real cases.

Criminal Profiling, Third Edition, is an ideal companion for students and professionals alike, including investigators, forensic scientists, criminologists, mental health professionals, and attorneys. With contributing authors representing law enforcement, academic, mental health, and forensic science communities, it offers a balanced perspective not found in other books on this subject. Readers will use it as a comprehensive reference text, a handbook for evaluating physical evidence, a tool to bring new perspectives to cold cases, and as an aid in preparing for criminal trials.

* Best-selling author Brent Turvey defines the deductive profiling method, which focuses on examining the nature and behavior of criminals in order to solve crimes
* Contributing authors represent law enforcement, academic, mental health, and forensic science communities for a balanced perspective
* Completely revised with 35% new material including updates on the latest advances in evidence-based profiling

New to this edition
* New cases in every chapter
* New chapters in logic and reasoning
* New chapter reviewing non-evidence based profiling methods
* New chapter on mass homicide
* New chapter on terrorist profiling and interviewing ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Great Reading!
Highly recommended read for those fascinated by crime and interested in learning about the most effective of Criminal Profiling methods.

Must have for anyone studying criminology or forensics!
Great book, with a lot of important information for people interested in proper investigation methods!

Criminal Profiling:An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis
An excellent book.I use it as a supplemental source for my Criminal Profiling course.

Too bad author's 'axe to grind' gets in the way of good info
I found the pertinent information concerning profiling very useful. The other 80% of the book is a continuous diatribe against the five founding members of the BSU as well as anyone ever professionally connected to them.

I would not recommend this book.

Michael Stokes

An excellent resource
What I enjoy most about this book is the precision given to the vast detail of criminal profiling. Many people believe it to be like television portrays, however this book acts as a field manual teaching the techniques necessary for good teamwork and investigation into crime. I only wish it also had a practicum book for field work. By far, the best book I've read on criminal profiling. Definitely worth buying and highly recommended for academia as well! ... Read more

Product Description
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, 1/e presents a clear, complete picture of forensic psychology, covering both psychological and legal principles, and demonstrating their connections through actual case law and clinical examples. Dr. Jack Kitaeff first reviews the field’s history, and the roles, responsibilities, and obligations of practitioners. Next, he addresses criminological aspects of forensic psychology, examining theories of aggression and violent crime; non-violent crimes; and topics ranging from serial killing to terrorism. He thoroughly reviews forensic psychologists’ roles in law enforcement and the U.S. criminal justice system, and covers crucial issues such as repressed memories, novel syndromes, the workplace, children, families, and treatment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Review of Jack Kitaeff's Forensic Psychology
This is a great textbook; I was fortunate to get an early copy.Dr. Kitaeff's Forensic Psychology involves much breadth and depth in its review of the intersection of psychology and the law yet remains very accessible and enjoyable to read.In addition to the "required" chapters such as involving violent and nonviolent crimes, jury selection, eyewitness testimony, and the like, Dr. Kitaeff goes into a number of interesting discussions on less common topics such as police psychology and novel syndromes.His liberal use of side bars throughout the text amplifies, extends, and "brings to life" more academically related material.Many undergraduate and graduate texts contain the body of material as a sufficient foundation for a university course; Dr. Kitaeff's Forensic Psychology goes a step further and brings the field to life in a manner that will, no doubt, create interest and engender lively discussion for a memorable forensic psychology class. ... Read more

Product Description
Profiling the Criminal Mind is, as the subtitle indicates, is a text and reference on behavioral science and criminal investigative analysis for investigators, forensic scientists, prosecutors, behavioral scientists, and academics. This compilation combines crime scene forensics and experience with behavioral science to get into the criminal's mind and interpret crime scenes.

A practical guide to applied criminology, the author brings together his years of experience as a detective/investigator and professor of criminology and criminal justice to outline an inter-disciplinary approach to analyzing crime scenes and crime scene behavior.

Multi-discipline sleuths and researchers into the criminal mind will find this combined approach to analysis a valuable strategic approach to the study of violent criminal behavior.

Customer Reviews (8)

A bit shallow
This book provides a very brief overview on a broad range of topics, but does not give much depth.However, it does give a valuable list of resources for further study.

Good book, but probably not for someone with basic knowledge
I received this book extremely fast after ordering and was very excited to begin reading it.With my excitement rising, I began to read the preface and slowly my excitement began to fade.I am not an extremely fast reader and have not had a lot of experience with profiling or even psychology/behavioral science for that matter and the text seems to be based on someone having previous knowledge of the subject.After reading many books, there are two main types, written by a "writer" and written by a knowledgeable professional.This book was written by a knowledgeable professional and can be easily seen by the authors word/sentence structure choice as well as his ability to have his writing flow.

That said, the book is very interesting and I have not put it down, but the way it is written makes it difficult for the average reader.It goes through the basics of criminology and profiling allowing the reader to start from the beginning and work their way up to the more advanced material.The book often lists statistics for certain aspects such as type of crime percentage.It keeps your interest and once I start reading, its hard to put it down.

Overall, I would rate the writing/understanding as expressed by the stars, but content wise, the book is great.If you are interested in profiling or behavioral science and have a basic understanding of concepts, this book is for you.It takes a little while to get used to the writing style, but once you get the hang of it, you are not going to want to put it down.

Interesting reading
I was recently introduce to watching shows like Criminal Intent, Criminal Minds, Profiler and that lead to my interest on reading up on the human mind...and more specifically the criminal mind.

This book was very through with introducing all aspects involved with criminal profiling and my only disappointment was that there were not more case studies examples to flesh out the theory that was given in the book.

The ability to explain the scientific process of behavioural science and criminal investigative analysis in a straight forward easy to understand manner amazes me. This would give me a deeper appreciation with the interaction of the shows im watching.

Definately recommend to people who are interested with having a basic understanding of the criminal mind and the police investigation process.

Nice read!
I was excited to read this book and I'm glad I did. It was a little bit boring in the beginning because it starts with the basics and basic psychology and I already know most of the stuff. But it is a very good beginners book, I'm a nurse so nothing to do with forensics but have always been interested in these things. Glad I bought it.

Just the Facts
The work tends to be dry and mechanical, very much a textbook style.Dr. Girod would have done well to take a creative writing course at some point during his stellar academic career. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Forensic Psychology
I need this book for a Forensic Psychiatry class for a graduate Criminal Justice class. I believe it will become an important part of my personal library when I am done. ... Read more

Product Description
Forensic Psychology provides students with an in-depth and insightful introduction to the clinical practice of forensic psychology, the assessment and treatment of individuals who interact with the legal system.

Instructor's Resources available at www.blackwellpublishing.com/huss. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Incredibly informative subject matter
Just starting to explore the subject and considering pursuing forensic psychologyon a journey I haven't been before. I could not get myself away from this book. It was informative, intriguing, and written in a manner that made it quite easy to understand and form a decision to go for it!!! ... Read more

Product Description
Forensic psychology has developed and extended from an original, narrow focus on presenting evidence to the courts to a wider application across the whole span of civil and criminal justice, which includes dealing with suspects, offenders, victims, witnesses, defendants, litigants and justice professionals. This handbook provides an encyclopedic-style source regarding the major concerns in forensic psychology. It is an invaluable reference text for practitioners within community, special hospital, secure unit, prison, probation and law enforcement forensic settings, as well as being appropriate for trainees and students in these areas. It will also serve as a companion text for lawyers and psychiatric and law enforcement professionals who wish to be apprised of forensic psychology coverage. Each entry provides a succinct outline of the topic, describes current thinking, identifies relevant consensual or contested aspects and alternative positions. Readers are presented with key issues and directed towards specialized sources for further reference. ... Read more

Product Description
Forensic Psychology is the first practical and fully comprehensive guide to the practice of forensic psychology. It provides clear, detailed instructions on the basic skills, techniques and professional issues involved. It explains the history, development and application of forensic psychology, the sort of evidence that might be produced and how it can be applied. The authors cover topics such as offender profiling, psychometric testing, expert testimony, psychological autopsy and polygraph testing, and consider issues such as professional and ethical problems, and the need for training. ... Read more

Product Description
This book brings together a team of authorities in the field of forensic psychology to demonstrate the scope of the discipline and the techniques employed in key areas of research, policy and practice. Its 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: and to inspire and stimulate, demonstrating the ways in which forensic psychology can aid the practice of criminal justice. It will be essential reading for students, academics and practitioners. ... Read more

Product Description
In recent years, the public has become increasingly fascinated with the criminal mind.Television series centered on courtroom trials, criminal investigations, and forensic psychology are more popular than ever.More and more people are interested in the American system of justice and the individuals who experience it firsthand.

Minds on Trial: Great Cases in Law and Psychology gives you an inside view of 20 of the highest profile legal cases of the last 50 years.Drs. Ewing and McCann take you "behind the scenes" of each of these cases, some involving celebrities like Woody Allen, Mike Tyson, and Patty Hearst, and explain the impact they had on the fields of psychology and the law.Many of the cases in this book, whether involving a celebrity client or an ordinary person in an extraordinary circumstance, were determined in part by the expert testimony of a psychologist or other mental health professional. Psychology has always played a vital role in so many aspects of the American legal system, and these fascinating trials offer insight into many intriguing psychological issues.In addition to expert testimony, some of the issues discussed in this entertaining and educational book include the insanity defense, brainwashing, criminal profiling, capital punishment, child custody, juvenile delinquency, and false confessions.

In Minds on Trial, the authors skillfully convey the psychological and legal drama of each case, while providing important and fresh professional insights.

Mental health and legal professionals, as well as others with an interest in psychology and the law will have a hard time putting this scholarly, yet readable book down. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Educational and entertaining
The authors provide a scholarly yet entertaining look behind the scenes to the expert psychological evidence in 20 renowned cases. Some of the cases involve household names - Lee Harvey Oswald, Patricia Hearst, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Hinckley Jr., Dan White, Judas Priest, Woody Allen, Mike Tyson. Others are seminal cases in which the names are less well known - the fascinating 1956 case of "mad bomber" George Metesky, credited with initiating the field of criminal profiling, the Guildford Four IRA bombing case in 1974 that led to psychological interest in false confessions (and Icelandic psychologist Gisli Gudjonsson's development of an instrument to measure interrogative suggestibility), and the case of Daryl Atkins, in which the U.S. Supreme Court abolished the death penalty for the mentally retarded.

This book is appropriate for both professionals in forensic psychology and law and also for laypeople who enjoy fact-based accounts of true crime. I assign my graduate students several chapters as examples of forensic topics. In particular, the chapter on the USS Iowa explosion, which catalogues the failure of the "equivocal death analysis" technique, is a great example of the shortcomings of forensic profiling. And the chapter on Colin Ferguson provides a vivid example of the whittling down of competency jurisprudence in the wake of the 1993 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Godinez v. Moran.

Minds on Trial is well-written, factually accurate, and educational. Yet it still works as entertaining bedtime reading. I recommend it highly.

An Accessible Treasure
In "Minds on Trial," the authors, Charles Patrick Ewing and Joseph McCann select 20 cases from roughly the past 50 years in which there is a fascinating intersection between law and psychology. The work initially looks like a book the casual reader may have some difficulty getting through. Such is not the case as each of the 20 cases are broken down into manageable chapters and are written in such a way so as to engage even the casual reader.

The cases that are the most fascinating include, George Metesky and the work of the psychological profiler; The Guildford Four which shows the danger of involuntary confessions; Prosenjit Poddar and Tatiana Tarasoff and the development of the requirement now known as a "Tarasoff Letter;" John Demjanjuk and vicisitude of identification testimony conducted over several year; and the USS Iowa and the failure of equivocal death analysis.

In many cases, the case comes down to a "battle of the experts" which illustrates just how important expert testimony has become in our legal system. The authors' only apparent bias aoppears to lie against those expert witnesses whose opinion is bought and sold by fee. In many of the cases, such biased experts take the hardest falls. ... Read more

Product Description
"In Forensic Psychology and Law, three internationally known experts provide exceptional coverage of a wide array of topics that address both the clinical applications of forensic psychology and the role of psychological science in understanding and evaluating legal assumptions and processes." - Norman Poythress, PhD, Research Director and Professor, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Dept. of Mental Health Law and Policy

"Forensic Psychology and Law is a major contribution to the teaching of law and psychology. Roesch, Zapf, and Hart offer a timely, comprehensive, and succinct overview of the field that will offer widespread appeal to those interested in this vibrant and growing area. Outstanding." - Kirk Heilbrun, PhD, Professor and Head, Department of Psychology, Drexel University

"In this volume, three noted experts have managed to capture the basic elements of forensic psychology. It is clearly written, well organized, and provides real world examples to hold the interest of any reader. While clarifying complex issues, the authors also present a very balanced discussion of a number of the most hotly debated topics." - Mary Alice Conroy, PhD, ABPP, Psychological Services Center, Sam Houston State University

A Comprehensive, Up-to-Date Discussion of the Interface Between Forensic Psychology and Law

Forensic Psychology and Law covers the latest theory, research, and practice in the field and provides thought-provoking discussion of topics with chapters on:

• Forensic assessment in criminal and civil domains
• Eyewitness identification
• Police investigations, interrogations, and confessions
• Correctional psychology
• Psychology, law, and public policy
• Ethics and professional issues

Product Description
"The defendant told the jury that he did not kill girlfriend. He did, however, admit to dismembering her, boiling her bones, and hiding them in the Port Authority locker."

At the heart of countless crimes lies the mystery of the human mind. In this eye-opening book, Dr. Cheryl Paradis draws back the curtain on the fascinating world of forensic psychology and revisits the most notorious and puzzling cases she has handled in her multifaceted career.

"Out it all came, a slew of bizarre comments about the electronic chips implanted in his brain."

Her riveting, sometimes shocking stories reveal the crucial and often surprising role forensic psychology plays in the pursuit of justice. Sometimes the accused believe their own bizarre lies, creating a world that pushes them into frightening, violent crimes.

"My client is charged with murder and tells me he is a descendent of kings. He says he is of royal blood. Can you evaluate him for an insanity defense?"

Join Dr. Paradis in a stark concrete cell, with the accused handcuffed to a chair opposite her, as she takes on the daunting task of mapping the suspect's madness--or exposing it as fakery. Have a front-row seat in a tense, packed courtroom, where her testimony can determine an individual's fate. The criminal mind has never been so intimately revealed--or so darkly compelling.

"A forensic psychologist reveals the dark and troubling human mind. Fascinating."--Robert K. Tanenbaum

Cheryl Paradis, PSY.D., has more than twenty years' experience as a forensic psychologist, and has evaluated thousands of seriously mentally ill and violent individuals. Her research and writings have been published in journals such as Medicine & Psychiatry and the Journal of Offender Rehabilitation. As an expert in psychological and neuropsychological testing, she has testified in both the New York State and federal court systems. Currently a clinical associate professor at the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center and associate professor of psychology at Marymount Manhattan College, she has also been a staff psychologist at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

I couldn't put it down
When I heard about this book a few months ago, I immediately added it to my wish list thinking that it was going to be about serial killers and other psychopaths. Instead, I was treated to a series of case studies about mentally ill people who had committed crimes. Despite the fact that this book didn't initially meet my expectations, I couldn't put it down because it was just too interesting. It was refreshing to see the human side of mentally criminals (for lack of a better word), as opposed to the myths that Hollywood peddles.

My only gripes are that some of the author's explanations were a little simplistic, or based seemingly on her own assumptions. I would have liked to have seen a little more depth with some of the case studies. Also, she tends to repeat herself a lot when talking about different cases with similar scenarios. It's not a dealbreaker, though.

If you have any interest in mental illness and its effect on the legal process, you should check this book out.

Better than TV
If you think you know about forensics from "CSI" and "Law and Order," you don't! "The Measure of Madness" is the real story. Simultaneously shows the clarity of science and the messiness of human mind and behavior. Our guide, CP, conveys both her expertise and humanity with each case study. The stories stay with the reader long after the book is over. Along with CP, we wonder and yes care about the profiled people.

REAL DRAMA
THE MEASURE OF MADNESS is a compelling read.Paradis not only enlightens, she entertains.Her fresh, matter-of-fact approach to mental illness associated with criminal behavior - and, more broadly, to motives in general - will be of interest to professionals and students.But her first person narrative makes the forensic process as accessible as a drama.It is not sensational.Paradis, however, manages both to convey the thrill of reconstructing the crimes and to recreate the human elements of each of the case studies' victims and perpetrators.I read the book in a single sitting.

Grabbed me by the throat
"The defendant told the jury that he did not kill his girlfriend. He did, however, admit to dismembering her, boiling her bones, and hiding them in the Port Authority locker." Wow. How canyou top THAT for eye-catching? And, every word is true. I write crime novels for a living, so I'm always trying to keep up with the real-life professionals who explain the criminal mind. Mostly, they're professors, and mostly, they're very smart but very boring. NOT the case with a brand-new book by Cheryl Paradis, a real-life forensic psychologist with decades of experience evaluating thousands of what we in the novel biz like to call "whack jobs." She calls them "seriously mentally ill and disturbed individuals," but they're the same thing: people who do harm to other people, sometimes in the most gruesome, bizarre and violent ways. The book is THE MEASURE OF MADNESS: Inside the Disturbed and Disturbing Criminal Mind. The cover looks a tad textbook-y, but don't be fooled: the stories inside are as gripping as any piece of fiction. And they're all true. Paradis does a bang-up job presenting each case, and talking about how she draws her conclusions: sane, insane, con job, or something else entirely. Anyone interested in this fascinating area of criminal mind-liness should read this book ASAP, and it's an excellent read for law enforcement and criminal justice people. And the occasional crime novelist like me :-)

Fascinating read
The Measure of Madness:Inside the Disturbed and Disturbing Mind is a fascinating read. I started it and could not put it down. One does not have to be a psychologist to understand what is going on with each of these cases. Dr Paradis does a fabulous job in simplifying each case so a lay person can understand. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the workings of the mind! ... Read more

Product Description
The Psychology of Criminal Justice integrates aspects of psychology's contributions to criminology and to socio-legal studies within a single narrative framework. It does this by describing the interpersonal and group dynamics of decision-making at key stages in the processing of accused persons from the time an alleged offence is committed to the moment sentence is passed.

The book bears directly on many current debates concerning the ability of the criminal justice system to deliver reliable verdicts. It recognizes the interdependence of decision makers in the system and addresses questions at an appropriately social-psychological level. The book examines systematically and critically the dynamics of criminal decision-making, the response of victims, the assumptions, attitudes and behavior of police officers, the conduct of court proceedings, the performance of witnesses, the strengths and weaknesses of juries, and the sentencing of magistrates and judges. Discussions of law and morality, the attribution of blame in court and in everyday life, and the achievement of justice in interpersonal and organizational contexts, provide a definitive account of the social psychology of law in the context of criminal justice.

Problems with our adversarial system of justice have led to the establishment of a Royal Commission on Criminal Justice. It is commonplace to seek a scapegoat in the behavior of one or other protagonist in the system - especially the police. It will become clear to readers of this book that breakdowns of the system are a product of persuasive interpersonal and intergroup processes of organization, reaching well beyond the behavior of any one agent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Psychology of Crimnal justice
This is a very easy to read book ,and is sutiable for those who do not have any background in Criminology or Law . The book is designed so that it goes in order from what makes criminals all the way to victim/offender interaction to the crimnial justice system itself. At the same time you can choose to read individual chapters of your choice without having to have read the chapter before . Thus it makes it an excellent reference book.

The author explores how social psychology fits in with the criminal system and it does and excellent job of doing so.The best thing about this book is it sites experimental evidence and also theories. In fact its packed with experimental evidence. Having finished the book , I was more aware of the injustices that can potentially occure in the coutroom. There are different factors which make a person more liable to prosectution. For example your gender, social class and educational achievments all have a role in determining the sentencing or how well the jury or judges believe you.

This book is great for starters in Psychology and Law or Forensic Psychology. In fact it's an interesting read on its own , even if your not studying Psychology , Law or Criminology. ... Read more