By some estimates, there are as many as twelve million psychopaths in the United States alone. Cold-blooded, remorseless, and strangely charismatic, they commit at least half of all serious and violent crimes. Supposedly, most serial killers are psychopaths, as, surprisngly, are large numbers of corporate executives. They seem to be an inescapable, and fascinating, threat in our midst. But is psychopathy a brain disorder, as many scientists now claim? Or is it just a reflection of modern society's deepest fears? The Myth of the Born Criminal offers the first comprehensive critique of the concept of psychopathy from the eighteenth-century origins of the born-criminal theory to the latest neuroimaging, behavioural genetics, and statistical studies. Jarkko Jalava, Stephanie Griffiths, and Michael Maraun use their expertise in neuropsychology, psychometrics, and criminology to dispel the myth that psychopathy is a biologically-based condition. Deconstructing the emotive language with which both research scientists and reporters describe the psychopaths among us, they explain how the idea of psychopathy offers a comforting neurobiological solution to the mystery of evil. A stunning merger of rigorous science and clear-sighted cultural analysis, The Myth of the Born Criminal is for anyone who wonders just what truth - or fiction - lurks behind the study of psychopathy.

Psychologists are increasingly being asked to give evidence in court as expert witnesses, yet for some it can be a harrowing experience. Writing Reports for Court provides essential support for psychologists when preparing a court report and giving evidence.A well prepared report underpins an effective court presentation. The credibility of a psychologist called upon to prepare a report for court will be questioned if the document presented is viewed poorly. The court will place little weight on the report and the psychologist's professional reputation will be placed at risk.This book offers guidance on the content and structure of reports, highlights the importance of assessments that directly address the legal questions under consideration, and includes detailed descriptions of relevant law and practice in Australia, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Singapore.Featuring several comprehensive case studies, this book serves as an excellent resource for any working psychologist who may find themselves in a criminal court as well as any psychologist or student considering a career in forensic work.

In his late teens, Henry Carmel was stricken with schizophrenia-a life-altering mental illness characterized by tormenting voices, impaired judgment, and acute paranoia. In 1996, Henry was attacked by a huge dog. Fearing for his life, he panicked and killed the animal. Despite test results and reports supplied by an unbiased veterinary pathologist, the corrupt county veterinarian contradicted the pathologist and aggravated the incident with a false theory.

At the hands of a power-hungry deputy district attorney (DDA), Henry was prosecuted. The jury remained unaware of his illness, so he was sentenced to prison rather than the hospitalization he needed. Expecting acquittal, the defense agreed to the nondisclosure of the illness.

As desired by the DDA, Henry was sentenced to serve an exaggerated prison term. When his sentence was complete, his illness was disclosed. He was certified as a mentally disordered offender (MDO) and kept hospitalized year after year.

In the years after his trial, Henry's condition improved; however, at annual hearings the DDA and judges ignored Henry's successes and extended his confinement each year. This was abusive and unjust. No socially accepted rules of ethics were followed.

"The Unjust Justice" is the story of a young man who, because of the social stigma that prevails over individuals plagued with schizophrenia, lost his freedom within an abusive system of injustice.

What is a psychopath? How can we tell? Are psychopaths always a risk to the public? How safe are we from criminal psychopaths? This basic guide looks at the history and development of psychopathy. It gives practical illustrations and explains key provisions for dealing with criminal psychopaths (with examples). It also examines possible causes, the difficulties involved in the assessment of risk, and the tools used to determine whether or not someone has a psychopathic personality. Psychopathy may exist in the boardroom, politics or sport just as it does in our prisons - sometimes driven or successful people can exhibit similar traits without unduly adverse reaction. But when located in an individual with violent tendencies things become problematic and the chances are that they will not be deterred by or respond to everyday approaches to crime and punishment. Psychopaths may be cold, calculating, manipulative and lack empathy for victims or others. They may be charming, intelligent and walk the streets unnoticed. This book looks at how we seek to identify those who are dangerous or predatory and the arrangements to contain them in prisons and secure hospitals in the name of public safety (often for long periods of time). An expert introduction based on huge experience; Suitable for professionals, academics and general readers; With Questions, Suggestions for Further Reading and a Glossary of key terms. 'They are Manfred-like characters, existing in their own time and space': Dr Emmanuel Miller, in conversation with the author. 'I think we have to be willing to go into the darkness': Leading psychiatrist, Sarah Trevelyan.

MASKS OF PREDATORS: HOW TO IDENTIFY PSYCHOPATHS & ANTISOCIALS AND NOT BE A VICTIM by Dr. Paul Dawson -- Why Identify Psychopaths & Antisocials? It is estimated that 1 in 25 ordinary Americans secretly has no conscience, may be an antisocial or psychopathic, and can do anything at all without feeling guilty. Have you ever had a date or a relationship not work out? I mean when it was a shock because they'd made such a good first impression? Maybe they seemed perfect or perhaps "too perfect" and then they suddenly got strange, betrayed you, lied, cheated on you, or even stalked you? Reading this book will enable you to: 1) Better select a partner for a relationship; 2) Have a more satisfying, happier social life; 3) Enable you to be more successful in business or at work; 4) Sharpen your skills in coping with people in life in general; 5) Strengthen your ability to avoid a crisis or traumatic experience. This book can help you avoid becoming a victim of an antisocial or psychopath Dr. Dawson earned a Ph.D. in psychology from The New School for Social Research, Graduate Faculty, New York City. Dr. Dawson has been chief psychologist of a state prison system, clinical psychologist in mental hospitals, clinics and in private practice. Dr. Dawson has written over 20 books including: MASKS of PREDATORS; BPD RECOVERY; BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER; MARILYN MONROE DIAGNOSED; PRINCESS DIANA DIAGNOSED; MASKS OF SEX PREDATORS; PSYCHOLOGY OF MEN WHO ABUSE WOMEN; HOW TO GET SOBER; ANGELINA JOLIE PSYCHOANALYZED; JOHNNY DEPP DIAGNOSED; ROCK STARS DIAGNOSED; MASKS OF AN AMERICAN PSYCHO; SPIRITUAL THERAPY; NARCOTERRORIST PSYCHOPATHS; PSYCHOPATHS; TED BUNDY'S SECRET COMPULSION; MASKS OF CHARLES MANSON; JODI ARIAS DIAGNOSED; MASKS OF TED BUNDY; MASKS OF KARLA HOMOLKA; PRINCESS DIANA'S THERAPIST - MY PSYCHOTHERAPY SESSIONS with DIANA: PRINCESS of WALES.

For over 39 years, psychologist Dr. Will Cupchik has investigated the atypical theft behavior (shoplifting, fraud, etc.) of usually honest and generally well functioning adults. This book includes his latest (2013) study's extensive findings that provide keen insights into the sorts of personal histories, personality traits and ways of operating in the world that can help precipitate theft behavior. Also included are unique, practical tools specifically developed to help successfully assess and treat these individuals.

This is the story of Annette Morales Rodriguez, a hard-working single mother of three.

It is also the story of Lara, a psychopathic killer who abducted another woman s fetus, killing both mother and baby.

Unbeknownst to Annette, Lara is a part of her: a dissociative identity, or split personality, formed to help Annette deal with the sexual abuse she endured as a child. Highly protective and driven to act solely in Annette s interests with no regard for the consequences to others, Lara lacks the moral judgment and remorse of a fully-developed personality. It is she who saw Annette s desire for and inability to have another baby and plotted to cut one from another woman s belly to give to her.

Lara confessed in gruesome detail. Annette, entirely amnesic throughout the course of events, has no recollection of the behavior Lara carried out. Dr. Anne Speckhard s jail interviews with Annette and Lara offer a fascinating glimpse inside a woman torn in two. Dr. Speckhard s analysis of Annette s behavior and her treatment once in police custody beg the questions: How do you separate the guilty from the innocent when they share the same body? and When is it acceptable to violate one s rights in the interest of public safety? Annette s story brings Dissociative Identity Disorder and the shortcomings of the American justice system to shocking light.

Interested in Criminal Profiling?
Designed to let you dive straight into this fascinating topic, Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide is based on a series of classes from an undergraduate program in forensic psychology.
The guide provides clear and concise information on central issues such as the origins of criminal profiling, FBI profiling methodology and limitations; and whether becoming a profiler is a realistic career path.
If you are interested in criminal profiling and would like to learn more, Criminal Profiling: An Introductory Guide is the perfect place to start.

From experts on working with court-mandated populations, this book shows how motivational interviewing (MI) can help offenders move beyond resistance or superficial compliance and achieve meaningful behavior change. Using this evidence-based approach promotes successful rehabilitation and reentry by drawing on clients' values, goals, and strengths--not simply telling them what to do. The authors clearly describe the core techniques of MI and bring them to life with examples and sample dialogues from a range of criminal justice and forensic settings. Of crucial importance, the book addresses MI implementation in real-world offender service systems, including practical strategies for overcoming obstacles. This book is in the Applications of Motivational Interviewing series, edited by Stephen Rollnick, William R. Miller, and Theresa B. Moyers.

"Forensic Investigations" is an anthology designed to address the information gaps found in typical forensic textbooks. The articles selected for this text provide a deeper understanding of both the theory and the practical applications of forensic-investigation skills. Divided into five topical areas, these readings include some of the most up-to-date research studies and suggested practices in the field. Topics include The CSI Effect, Views on the Needs for Forensics, Photography, DNA/Fingerprints, and Digital Evidence. This book also includes historical articles that provide contextual background related to current trends. Joe LeFevre has worked as both a police officer and firefighter during his professional career. He has held positions as a police officer, patrol supervisor, field training officer, evidence technician, firefighter II, fire department engineer, and fire investigator.
After becoming a police field training officer Joseph LeFevre was certified to instruct Wisconsin Police Academy classes. After receiving a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, LeFevre began teaching at University Wisconsin-Platteville, where he is now a full-time instructor. He is currently working to complete his PhD, and he continues to conduct in-service training and academy classes for police officers and firefighters.

Sexual cases are inherently complex and sometimes controversial presenting the practitioner with a multitude of procedural and legal challenges. The increasing number of sexual cases, often historic, places significant demands upon the criminal justice system. Sexual crime is recognised as a specialist area which demands unique skills from the practitioner and handling witness testimony in these cases calls for skills and knowledge that encompass both law and science. Witness Testimony in Sexual Cases focuses on legal and scientific considerations that arise when obtaining and evaluating sexual complaint testimony. It provides comprehensive and balanced coverage of this difficult and challenging topic across the complete spectrum of involvement in the legal process. This book equips legal professionals with an understanding of current legal and scientific issues when investigating, evaluating and testing witness testimony in sexual cases. Using a didactic approach the book combines an exposition on the law and procedure with a range of specialist perspectives on cognitive processes pertaining to vulnerable and non-vulnerable witnesses. The book identifies psychiatric and psychological factors that may enhance or impair the quality of witness testimony for instance where a witness suffers from mental health problems or where long-term memory recall is involved. The book provides practitioners with an understanding of factors which tend to undermine the reliability of witness testimony, but also focuses on those factors which may enhance witness quality. Witness Testimony in Sexual Cases draws together learning not readily available and encourages an integral and rigorous approach to the analysis of witness testimony in the special context of sexual cases.

Not a mystery novel as such, but a great character study.

In this absorbing account, he traces his personal journey from 'main grade' probation officer, Home Office civil servant, trainer and inspector to top level positions within a number of academic institutions (notably at Leicester University and Loughborough University), with the Parole Board, key nationwide committees, mental health inquiries and beyond. His 'reflections' on a life geared to the improvement of knowledge and understanding in this sphere contain unique insights for practitioners and criminologists alike - and words of wisdom for a Criminal Justice System which ought to value mature reflection as it approaches the second decade of the 21st century. Describing the author as 'one of my heroes', well-known criminologist and broadcaster David Wilson asserts that Herschel Prins is 'one of - if not the key figure - in Britain who pushed forward the development of criminology and forensic psychiatry' and that he was in certain respects 'ahead of his time'.

The story is set in Western Australia. WA is experiencing a financial boom due to the mining industries and oil exploration. Consequently, the tradesmen and blue collar workers can earn high salaries and out spend the established rich. Most high schools in Perth are private; increased wages mean the tradesmen can now buy a place for their children in the elite schools usually reserved for the children of a higher socioeconomic class. This creates turmoil and changes for all involved. The reader has a ring side seat to that drama as Anna Lennox braids it with her family life and her career as a forensic psychologist. The results are explosive as the varying degrees of criminality and the politics of the Ministry of Prisons and Corrections are exposed.

Not a mystery novel as such, but a great character study.

Serial Pool Attendant: Screenplay. A brother-sister crime caper in LA that is both an entertaining screenplay for television and an educational aid in sibling Psychology. This paperback also includes the proposed TV series Bible (template for the one-hour prime-time show); a minute-by-minute breakdown of the Four-Act structure, a necessity when writing for television with commercial breaks in mind. Synopsis: On an L.A. beach Alex (pool attendant) meets her idol, the notorious Shark (real name Henry, a high profile killer on parole). Shark mentors Alex in the art of 'murder' and in 'not getting caught'. Cultural references lead to his catchphrase "A CLASSIC!." Hitmen liaising as real CLEANERS. "If you've got a problem that needs filtering ...YOU CALL THE POOL ATTENDANT"

Very little advancement in the treatment of delinquents or criminals can be expected if typical characteristics and their bearings on behavior are not understood. The whole study of characterology or the motivation of conduct is extremely new, particularly in their forensic and psychological significance. It is these characteristics that are addressed here. In some cases, it is vital for the administration of justice for us to understand the types of personality and behaviors before rendering a final judgment. Some appreciation of this fact may be gained from this book which shows the possibility of tracing one form of behavior to its source.

This classic text sets the foundation for working with juveniles who have sexually offended The new edition of Juvenile Sexual Offending provides a research-based, goal-oriented approach to the assessment, treatment, supervision, and care of this difficult population. Written by leading specialists in the field, the Third Edition represents the tremendous strides in research on brain growth and development. A thorough overview of the process of risk evaluation is included, as well as detailed and practical guidelines on gauging the possibility of repeated offense. Also included: * New chapters on legislative and policy developments; risk assessment; adult responsibilities; and outcomes pairing risk management with health promotion * Greatly expanded coverage of treatment, including new chapters on abuse-specific and offense-specific treatment interventions, and the effects of trauma * Practitioner-friendly guidance to help mental health professionals with decision making; program development; case management skills; and working within multidisciplinary teams Juvenile Sexual Offending, Third Edition helps mental health professionals, child welfare, law enforcement, and juvenile justice professionals move toward successful assessment and treatment of juveniles who sexually abuse, reducing the risk of sexual abuse in future generations.