CRIME AND PSYCHOLOGY FOUNDATIONS OF FORENSIC PRACTICE (PB 2024) Paperback

Written in a clear and accessible style, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to the intersection of criminal justice and forensic mental health. Designed for readers with no prior knowledge of criminal forensic psychology, it explores ten key areas where mental health professionals play a vital role in the legal system, including rights comprehension, competency to stand trial, juvenile transfers, risk assessment, sentencing, sexually violent predators, insanity defenses, and capital punishment for individuals with mental illness or intellectual disabilities. It also examines major mental disorders, their connection to criminal behavior, and the challenges they present in court and correctional settings. By reviewing landmark cases from the United States and the United Kingdom, the book offers a detailed understanding of judicial decision-making. Through case-based narratives, discussions on controversies, and historical insights, it bridges the gap between theory and practice, helping forensic professionals build expertise. Drawing on the author’s extensive experience, this book is an essential resource for early-career forensic mental health practitioners, graduate students in forensic psychology, and mental health professionals looking to enter the field.