Book Review: The Forensic Psychologist's Casebook
| Author | Francis Pakes |
| Published date | 01 March 2006 |
| Date | 01 March 2006 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1350/ijps.2006.8.1.78 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
Book review
The Forensic Psychologist’s Casebook
by L. Alison
(Willan; 2005; 410 pp.; ISBN 1 84392 101 4; £26.50 (pbk))
This collection addresses where and how
tale of a case of ‘suicide or was it?’ and, apart
forensic psychologists can and may contrib-
from highlighting the nature of Canter’s
ute to criminal investigations. As you per-
involvement, it reminds us how criminal
haps might expect from Alison, the
investigation can be reminiscent of story
emphasis is on investigative psychology,
telling. In addition, and this is no small
which many people continue to associate,
matter, both Alison and Canter are to be
or even equate, with offender profiling.
congratulated for their critical attitude
That indeed features heavily in this book,
towards some of their own judgements with
but there is more. In his preface Alison
the benefit of hindsight. In the area of
advocates a pragmatic or case based
offender profiling that is most welcome —
approach, which he explains is: ‘examining
the field is known for individuals glorifying
single cases and presenting material that was
their own efforts, and it is good to see that
informed both by scientific rigour and due
this volume does not follow that tradition of
consideration to the specific idiosyncratic
sycophancy.
details of the case’ (pp. xix–xx). Thus, prac-
Both Alison and Canter’s chapters do
tising forensic psychologists take an exam-
exactly what the book promises to deliver
ple of a case they worked on and use that as
and are certainly of interest to professionals
the basis for explaining what they do and
in the field, aspiring forensic psychologists
how they do it. I am very much charmed
as well as the large numbers of criminology
by that idea and wish that had been the
students who are keen to separate the sense
approach throughout.
from the nonsense in the area of profiling.
Alison, as author or co-author involved
Many...
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