An Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Fourth Edition, adds to the strengths of the previous edition—namely, a strong introduction to forensic psychology and the criminal justice system it operates within—by focusing the discussion on the discipline’s fundamental feature: the human.

This new edition has been completely restructured to explain the myriad of, at times, competing human interests that are at play in applications of forensic psychology. This edition’s broadened approach situates the clinical and empirical dimensions of forensic psychology within its foundational commitment to justice. As such, the text encourages the reader’s reflexive engagement with the material by drawing their attention to the thick conceptual grounds of forensic psychology. Updated to reflect recent theoretical and practical developments in forensic psychology, this updated edition includes research in both under- and well-developed areas of study, including artificial intelligence and risk assessment. Pedagogical additions, such as the ‘cases in controversy’ inserts, emphasize the multifaceted nature of forensic psychology. While the text remains focused in the United States, international examples provide a comparator for present-day domestic practices.

Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Fourth Edition is intended for professors teaching introduction to forensic psychology, as well as for students interested in adult, child, and family forensics as they apply to both criminal and civil settings. It resituates the specialized knowledge of forensic psychology within the broader purpose of the field: justice.