The Forensic Psychologist's Casebook:
Psychological Profiling and Criminal Investigation
Edited by Laurence Alison
Devon, United Kingdom; Willan Publishing, 2005
The Forensic Psychologist’s Casebook is a useful and timely guide for understanding some of the ways in which psychology can contribute to policing. The authors are primarily from the United Kingdom (UK). While this is reflected in the content, the book will appeal to a broader audience given the inclusion of perspectives from other countries (e.g., North America, Norway, Australia). The book is divided into two major sections. Part one provides the reader a context from which to understand the utility and pitfalls of profiling by reviewing the factors that influence police decision-making and investigative practices. The book opens with relevant discussions of the various views of profiling and methods of suspect apprehension (Chapter 1, Alison), influences on police decision-making (Chapter 2, Ogan & Alison), avenues for psychological research on investigative strategies (Chapter 3, Barrett), and methods for classification in sex crime investigations (Chapter 4, Wilson & Alison). The next three chapters focus on specific issues in policing: crime analysis/intelligence-led policing (Chapter 5, Cope), tactics/strategies used in police interrogations (Chapter 6, Alison & Howard), and the role of psychology in understanding, investigating and preventing police corruption (Chapter 7, Porter). Chapter 8 (Ormerod & Sturman) closes the first section of the book by bringing the reader back to the general topic of profiling and emphasizing the challenges of presenting profiling evidence in court.
Part two of the book provides practical information for psychologists working in criminal investigation settings. The chapters caution that profiles should be used as investigative tools and not evidence. They note the importance of using information gathered from similar crimes, along with having adequate empirical support before any statements are made. This section provides readers with an understanding of the wide range of activities that fall under the label of profiling. The opening chapter (Chapter 9, Alison & Canter) reviews a murder case from the UK and discusses potential problems with the approach used to obtain the confession. Chapter 10 (Alison, Goodwill, & Alison) provides guidelines for the preparation of a psychological profiling report. Later chapters address specific issues, including interviews with vulnerable witnesses (Chapter 11, Fritzon), distinguishing between actual/malingered memory loss (Chapter 12, Alison), distinguishing between suicide/murder (Chapter 13, Canter), how to approach and respond to cases involving stalking (Chapter 14, Alison & Alison) and examining consent in domestic violence cases (Chapter 15, Alison & Alison). Chapter 16 (West & Alison) concludes the book with reflections on profiling. Although informative, one criticism with this second section is that there are instances in which the reader is not provided with sufficient background information to understand a case. A minor criticism throughout the book is that the meaning of certain acronyms are not provided or are only included after the acronyms are used several times. Chapter 5 also contains a lot of jargon. In summary, The Forensic Psychologist’s Casebook will be informative for students, academics, and practitioners in psychology and law enforcement as it sheds light on the real-world work of profiling and investigative psychology. This book also helps to challenge the popular media version of profiling as based on instinct and intuition, revealing that profiling may actually be more science than art.
MARY ANN CAMPBELL
NAOMI DOUCETTE
University of New Brunswick |
