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Do your students understand the job of a "criminal profiler"? Yes, they see them nightly on tv shows and in the news, but do they have a real understanding of how law enforcement can use empirical data to correctly assess behavior and help solve crimes, particularly serial crimes?

Criminal and Behavioral Profiling, by well-established authors Curt and Anne Bartol, presents a realistic and empirically-based look at the theory, research, and practice of modern criminal profiling. Designed for use in a variety of criminal justice and psychology courses, the book delves into the process of identifying behavioral tendencies, geographical locations, demographic and biographical descriptors of an offender (or offenders), and sometimes personality traits based on characteristics of the crime. Timely literature and case studies from the rapidly growing international research in criminal profiling help students understand the best practices, major pitfalls, and psychological concepts that are key to this process.

 
Chapter 1: Introduction
 
Chapter 2: Crime Scene Profiling
 
Chapter 3: Scientific Approaches to Crime Scene Profiling
 
Chapter 4: Geographic Profiling and Mapping
 
Chapter 5: Profiling Applied to Specific Crimes
 
Chapter 6: Psychological Profiling: A Focus on Threat and Risk Assessment
 
Chapter 7: Suspect-Based Profiling
 
Chapter 8: Reconstructive Psychological Evaluation: The Psychological Autopsy
 
Chapter 9: Profiling In Court

Recommended as additional reading, but not required

Dr David Camp
Social Sciences Div, Blackburn College
February 5, 2013

I found this book lively and engaging, with interesting coverage of the subject area.

Whilst it was somewhat too specialised to be a core text for forensic and criminal psychology, it is certainly valuable reading for any student of such a discipline...

Dr Laura Hammond
School of Human & Health Sciences, Huddersfield University
January 27, 2013

This is a very interesting book which identifies key aspects using excellent examples. Very good for students with a keen interest in profiling. Have recommended this issue to my students.

Miss Sharron Stillyards
health and social care, northlindsey college
January 22, 2013

Theoretical and practical approaches to criminal and behavioural profiling are presented in a way that is both engaging and interesting. The use of real life case studies brings the subject alive. Key concepts are addressed in a clear and methodological manner.

Ms Diane Jones
Department of Criminology, University of Leicester
January 18, 2013

Interesting read

Miss Michelle Dadamo
Forensic Science, Bridgend College
December 11, 2012

This is a useful book for the proposed BA in Investigative Practice. The only issue is that it is based on the USA. I am currently trying to find a more UK orientated book

Mr Bob Lyman
School of Social Studies, Northampton University
November 9, 2012
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Key features

FEATURES & BENEFITS

  • Presents an international perspective, integrating research, theory, practice, and examples from not only the United States, but also Great Britain, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Finland, and more.
  • Includes case examples to illustrate theory and techniques.
  • Offers historical information about the origins of profiling, including its development by the FBI Behavioral Science Unit.
  • Highlights the victimology approach, with an emphasis on the importance—for profiling purposes—of gathering information about the victim and how serial offenders treat their victims.
  • Features Focus Boxes in each chapter to provide applied information from practice.
  • Integrates timely literature from the rapidly growing international research in criminal profiling

Sample Materials & Chapters

toc

ch 2

Chapter 1