Forensic Psychology
Theory, research, policy and practice
- Jennifer Brown - London School of Economics, UK
- Yvonne Shell
- Terri Cole
Winner of the British Psychological Society Book Award 2018 - Textbook category
- Professor Graham Towl, Durham University and formerly Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice
'The strength of this book is the complexity of concepts and topics covered mean that it is suitable for students who wish to be challenged.’
- Dr Louise Almond, University of Liverpool
'This is a book for people who like to think. It presents the realities of practice with the challenges of theory and asks the reader to shake off complacency. It is insightful and challenging but most of all, it is very readable.'
- Professor Joanna R. Adler, Middlesex University
Students of Forensic Psychology need to learn how to combine practical skills such as report writing or assessments with a critical understanding of both theory and the wider political and policy landscape that surrounds the profession.
Mapped to the British Psychological Society’s Stage One and Two training requirements for forensic psychologists Forensic Psychology: Theory, Research, Policy and Practice will help you understand how these crucial areas of the profession interact and how they can shape one another. Throughout the text the authors provide a detailed analysis of key concepts, debates and theories while weaving in insights and reflections from key professionals, ensuring you have the necessary knowledge and skills to pass assignments and get past the stage 2 supervised practice requirements en route to becoming a qualified forensic psychologist.
This text will be essential reading for all those on MSc Forensic Psychology courses, and will also be a useful reader for those on practitioner doctorates as well as the already qualified needing to keep up with the CPD. The book is also a useful companion to professionals in allied criminal justice professions.
What separates this book from numerous others in the field of forensic psychology is its refreshingly realistic, honest and systemic examination of the role of forensic psychologists in the criminal justice system. The authors balance a ‘warts and all’ account of the difficult aspects of the role with an encouraging focus on how forensic psychologists can work effectively, even within difficult political climates. An essential text for those considering venturing into the world of forensic psychology work. Likewise, it is a worthwhile text for more experienced practitioners, of all forensic disciplines.
This book provides an excellent overview of the various contexts in which forensic psychologists can work. It provides a clear chronology of the pathway to qualification and beyond. The mix of information, theory, guidance and personal reflections from influential figures in the field provides a clear understanding of the practice components, and underpinning research and concepts, which are essential to all practitioners in this diverse and developing branch of applied psychology. If this text had been available to me at the start of my career I can see how it would have become my ‘go-to’ book at times of stress or uncertainty. Overall this is an engaging, informative, and at times thought provoking book, which has reinforced and reenergised my love of my chosen career.
The strength of this book is the complexity of concepts and topics covered mean that it is suitable for students who wish to be challenged.
This fascinating book examines some of the ideological underpinnings of forensic psychological research, policy and practice. It is refreshingly reflective and a significant contribution to the field. I strongly recommend it.
This book makes a fresh, thought provoking contribution to the burgeoning field of forensic psychology. It is well structured and easy to follow, whilst being rigorously grounded and philosophically engaged. This is a book for people who like to think. It presents the realities of practice with the challenges of theory and asks the reader to shake off complacency. It is insightful and challenging but most of all, it is very readable.
In my opinion it is a work of excellence... This book is the ideal companion for any student of criminology and forensic psychology and anyone undertaking the arduous journey towards chartered status. Those already qualified, however extensive their experience, should find this an invaluable reference book.
This book was truly instrumental in helping me to attain an internship within a law enforcement agency during my undergraduate degree, through garnering my interest in forensic psychology and by expanding upon my once limited knowledge of the field
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I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in forensic psychology.
This is an excellent critical text - just what is needed!
A well-written introduction to the realm of Forensic Psychology - I would recommend for A level students who have enjoyed their 'taste' of the topic in the second year and are considering specialising in this fascinating field after a psychology degree.
A very readable, and up to date, publication by Authors who are currently working in the field.
Terri Cole's contibution is particularly useful as it provides a contemporary picture of offender profiling in the UK (from someone who has actually 'been there and got the T shirt'), rather than a well worn Americanised, outdated narrative of the discipline.
