Inside Forensic Psychology

Book Preface

Inside Forensic Psychology was written to provide readers with a broad and in-depth understanding of forensic psychology cases as presented by distinguished experts working throughout this multifaceted field. This book is intended as a learning tool that professors can use to encourage critical thinking and facilitate understanding in students. At present, many professors supplement their own experience by asking one another for redacted clinical cases or court reports that can bring to life the complex set of issues often found in forensic psychology cases and in conducting competent forensic evaluations. Few books are currently available that balance an understanding of the literature with relevant case law, best practices, and clinical case vignettes. By bringing together this assortment of theory, required background knowledge, and real-life experience across numerous areas of forensic psychology, we hope to help students share in the thinking and mindset of the clinician or evaluator grappling with the multidimensional aspects of a case, and to highlight best practices and case law that can be used when conducting evaluations or working with a particular population.

This book is also intended to underscore the complexity of the forensic psychology field. Many case summaries available to students err on the side of simplicity, carrying with them the danger of infusing a false sense of black and white, precise formulas and easy answers. This could not be further from reality. Every case a student or clinician will encounter is unique; while there are basic tasks to perform and information to gather that are vital to every case (e.g., knowledge of relevant case law, review of case records, relevant background information, outcomes of psychological testing/assessment), the way this information is evaluated and used can depend on a great many factors. For this reason, several chapters herein include a section on common pitfalls and considerations, including factors and possibilities we wish we had considered when starting out in this challenging but rewarding field.

I was motivated to compile this book after teaching for several years and reflecting on learning methodologies that had the greatest impact on my students. As a professor, I found myself wanting to bring to life important concepts in ways that challenged students to think critically about complex human and ethical issues that they will face every day as forensic clinicians and evaluators. The case vignettes, which highlight varying types of forensic evaluations, were created or adapted into case summaries based on the authors’ professional experience, and any likeness to an actual case is purely coincidental. The case vignettes are not meant to serve as a comprehensive forensic report. Rather, the emphasis is intended as a means of encouraging students to synthesize, evaluate, and apply information and concepts learned.

Forensic psychology is not an exact science. This book is intended as a collection of case vignettes that provide students with multiple viewpoints into the work of a forensic evaluator and into a variety of professional approaches. As a result, the reader may or may not agree with the opinions reached or the methodologies used in the cases described. The goal is to encourage readers to think critically about the challenges posed in each specific case, articulate opposing positions, argue differing points of view, and evaluate all courses of potential action. It is through this type of thoughtful discourse that students can be expected to grow into practices and confident professionals.