Complete introduction to forensic psychology and understanding psychology's expanding influence on the study of law, crime, and criminality Highlighting the often-sizable gap between media myths surrounding forensic practice and reality, Forensic Psychology presents a broad range of topics within the field, including detailed treatments of the causes of crime, investigative methods, the trial process, and interventions with different types of offenders and offenses. To aid in reader comprehension, this Fourth Edition is supplemented with additional online resource materials, including related links, multiple choice questions, and PowerPoint slides. Authored by a wide range of experienced forensic psychology professionals and drawing on a wealth of experience from leading researchers and practitioners, Forensic Psychology includes information on: Pyschological approaches to understanding crime and developmental and psychological theories of offending  Contributions of neuroscience in understanding risk factors for offending and effects of interpersonal crime on victims Eyewitness evidence, psychopathy, interviewing winesses and suspects, detecting deception, and offender profiling and crime linkage Interpersonal violence and stalking, judicial processes, safeguarding vulnerable witnesses, criminal responsibilities, and the role of the expert witness  Rehabilitation of offenders, risk assessment, treating dangerous offenders, and interventions with female offenders and offenders with intellectual disabilities With comprehensive coverage of the subject and its many important intricacies, the Fourth Edition of Forensic Psychology is essential reading for undergraduates' first encounter with the subject area and is also an excellent introduction for more specialized postgraduate courses.

All the editors and contributors to this book are members of The University of Birmingham's 'Community and Criminal Justice Group' (BCCJ Group). Drawing on the different disciplines of law, criminology, forensic psychology, social work and public management, they explore the shifts and progress made in criminal justice in England and Wales over the past two decades and highlight the possibilities and pitfalls for the future. The overarching theme of the book is the balance between the role of central government in creating and shaping the regulatory framework of criminal justice and the potential for communities at local level to become more involved and to exercise more responsibility for themselves in responding to crime and anti-social behaviour in their midst. These twin dynamics are explored in the two main sections of the book. In Part I (The Regulatory State) through a series of case-studies, the authors examine how the central state has sought to address the risks and problems associated with crime and anti-social behaviour in modern times. They consider the new context for law and order which arose during the period under consideration and ask how and why new sanctions were put in place to regulate particular kinds of behaviour. They also highlight some of the unintended consequences, notably the criminalisation of more people. Then in Part II (Empowered Communities as Stakeholders in Criminal Justice) the book explores the potential for local communities playing a greater role in addressing the problems of crime and anti-social behaviour in their own neighbourhoods. In this section of the book the authors also consider the prospects for crime reduction through a more 'localist' approach in which citizens and communities play a more active part in a 'big society'. The book provides a timely and topical stock-taking of key issues and challenges within criminal justice. Through an exploration of the relative strengths and limitations of 'centrist' and 'localist' approaches to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, it also offers a prescription of principles and priorities for a way forward. Reviews 'A riveting book which identifies the main criminal justice issues that need to be addressed by the government': Internet Law Book Reviews 'This is an extremely comprehensive text that has been written and constructed in an accessible way for students of this subject. The focus on risk, risk management and actuarialism in Chapter three provides a well-rounded and persuasive discussion over the extent of control and risk strategies. The issue of rights and liberties is maintained as a dominant thread throughout and readers are presented with a critical enagement with the practical, political and conceptual realities of modern criminal justice': Paul Taylor, University of Chester 'This collection represents a timely discussion of one of the key issues facing criminal justice over the next decade: namely how to reconcile the new drive for localism with the need to ensure fairness and efficiency in an increasingly complex criminal justice system': Stephen Shute, Head of Sussex University Law School 'Policy makers and practitioners would do well to reflect on the wisdom that is contained in this book': David Faulkner, University of Oxford Centre for Criminological Research.