Forensic Psychology

609 Pages·2011·4.59 MB·English

Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology
Concepts, debates and practice
Second edition
Edited by
Joanna R. Adler and Jacqueline M. Gray
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2010.
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First published 2010
ISBN 0-203-83330-9 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 978-1-84392-414-2 paperback
978-1-84392-930-7 hardback

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Contents
Notes on contributors xiii
Introduction xxv
1 Forensic psychology: some concepts and
debates about practice 1
Joanna R. Adler and Jacqueline M. Gray
References 12
Section 1 Investigation and Prosecution 15

2 Miscarriages of justice: what can we learn? 17
Rebecca Milne, Sam Poyser, Tom Williamson and

Stephen P. Savage
Introduction 17
What is a miscarriage of justice? A definition 18
Miscarriages of justice: a history. Concerns
about police competence 19
Miscarriages of justice as a driver for change 23
Safer UK justice? 27
Miscarriages of justice in the United States of America 29
USA and UK similarities and differences 31
Minimising miscarriages of justice 32
References 33
Appendix 36

Forensic Psychology
3 The interpretation and utilisation of offender profiles:
a critical review of ‘traditional’ approaches to profiling 38
Laurence Alison, Emma Barrett and Louise Almond
The plausibility of traditional approaches to offender
profiling 40
Assumptions underlying traditional approaches to profiling 40
The evaluation of profiles 43
The interpretation of profiles 45
The process of investigation 48
Stories and profiles 50
Case-based reasoning in criminal investigation:
novice and expert 51
References 53

4 UK police interviews with suspects: a short modern
history 58
John Bearchell
Drivers for change in police interviewing practices 59
The introduction of the Investigative Interviewing
(PEACE) Training Course 65
Emerging findings of attitudes to police interviews of
suspects 67
Conclusion 71
References 71

5 The investigation and prosecution of rape 74
Jacqueline M. Gray and Anna Gekoski
Introduction 74
The legal context 75
The problem of at trition 76
Rape myths in court 78
Secondary victimisation 81
The problem with consent 85
Summary and conclusions 88
References 89

Section 2 Testimony and Evidence 93

6 The effect of gender in the courtroom 95
Blake M. McKimmie and Barbara M. Masser
Overview 95
Gender stereotypes 96
i
Contents
Pre-trial hearings 97
Jury trials 98
Why does gender have such an impact? 109
Challenges and conclusions 112
References 114
7 ‘Without fear or favour, prejudice or ill will’:
magistrates’ sentencing decisions 123
Pamela Ormerod and Joanna R. Adler
Background: magistrates’ roles 123
How do magistrates reach sentencing decisions? 128
Integrating different approaches 136
Conclusion 139
References 139

8 Eliciting evidence from eyewitnesses for court
proceedings 145
Mark R. Kebbell and Elizabeth A. Gilchrist
Background 145
Examination in court 145
Factors having an impact on witness accuracy 146
Witness credibility 151
Special measures for vulnerable witnesses 155
Conclusions 156
References 157

9 The ageing eyewitness 162
Rachel Wilcock
Interviewing 164

Identification 167
Aiding identification performance 171
Perceptions of older eyewitnesses 174
Conclusions 175
References 175

10 Safeguarding vulnerable and intimidated witnesses
at court: are the ‘special measures’ working? 181
Graham M. Davies
Special Measures 182
Vulnerable or intimidated witnesses 184
Special Measures in action 187
ii
Forensic Psychology
Are Special Measures enough to ensure justice
for vulnerable victims? 192
Conclusions 195
References 195
Section 3 Serious and Persistent Offending 199

11 Life-course persistent offending 201
Alex R. Piquero and Terrie E. Moffitt
Moffitt’s developmental taxonomy 202
How do race and gender fit into the taxonomy? 204
Research on Moffitt’s taxonomy 206
Challenges to Moffitt’s theory 214
The way forward: future research topics 215
Updated readings 218
References 219

12 Stalking 223
Lorraine Sheridan and Graham M. Davies
A new crime? 223
What is stalking? 225
The victims of stalking 228
The perpetrators of stalking 230
Stopping stalking 232
Conclusions 237
Updated readings 238
References 240

13 Forensic psychology and terrorism 245
Margaret A. Wilson and Lucy Lemanski
Introduction 245
Terrorism, crime and war 246
Rational choice 249
Predictability and profiling 250
Crime, terrorism and mental disorder 252
Pathways into terrorism 254
Fear of crime and fear of terrorism 257
The role of the media 258
Conclusions 259
References 260
iii
Contents
14 Aetiology of genocide 264
Agnieszka Golec de Zavala and Joanna R. Adler
Defining genocide 264
Psychological explanations for genocide 267
Performing the act 275
References 278
Section 4 Treatment as Intervention 283

15 Treatment of offenders classified as having
Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder 285
Alex Lord
Background 285
The development of DSPD 286
DSPD selection criteria and assessment issues 287
Assessing psychopathy in relation to DSPD 289
Assessing risk in relation to DSPD 290
Providing treatment to individuals meeting DSPD criteria 291
Potential iatrogenic effects of treatment and responsivity
issues 294
Potential effects of working on DSPD and relevant
staff skills 297
Conclusions 300
References 302

16 Anger control group work with forensic psychiatric
inpatients: theories and practical applications 306
Lara Arsuffi
Psychological theories of anger and aggressive behaviour 306

Outcomes of different anger management studies 311
The Triple C (Cool, Calm and Composed) Programme 316
Conclusions 323
References 324

17 Developments in treatment for drug misuse offenders 329
Nicholas LeBoutillier and Beverly Love
Introduction 329
Defining drug misusing offenders 331
The development of intervention and treatment
programmes 333
ix