Damaskcat's Reviews > Forensic Psychology: A Very Short Introduction

This is a short book as its sub title suggests but it gives a neat and concise overview of the subject. Many people will think from watching television drama and reading crime fiction that many cases are solved by bringing in a profiler but this is far from being the case. Forensic psychologists are becoming more and more involved with the criminal and judicial processes but in ways which were aren’t as glamorous as fiction portrays.

Forensic psychologists work with convicted criminals to try and establish why crimes are committed, what personality and background factors lead people to commit crimes rather than stick to the straight and narrow. They can also advise on whether someone is mad or bad and whether it is possible to use a defence of insanity, and conversely what prevents a defence of insanity succeeding.

In the US forensic psychologists are becoming involved in selecting jurors to try and influence the outcome of a trial by selecting jurors because of their existing views. This is regarded as a step too far by many.

This is a fascinating overview of an interesting subject and it provides a list of further reading for those who want to take their interest further. If you want to read the real story – then read this book.