ABSTRACT

Forensic Case Histories: Understanding Serious Offending Behaviour in Men examines men’s violent and sexual offending behaviours, outlined through a series of real offender narratives, from a psychological perspective and in an accessible manner that will engage any audience, from the criminology-intrigued layperson to the specialist in the field.

This unique and conversational text thinks psychologically about serious crime, offering a compilation of men’s narratives that explore their life experiences and the ways in which these experiences influence their behaviour in adulthood. Each chapter addresses a particular theme, covering frequently asked questions in the field such as, 'How can an apparently motiveless offence have meaning?' and 'Is psychopathy a personality disorder, and why do we struggle to treat individuals with such traits?' The narratives of individuals who offend are central to the discussion, but the chapters each draw on the relevant facts from the research literature and highlight key learning points. Many chapters also feature 'Further Reading' sections to expand readers’ knowledge.

Both educational and accessible, Forensic Case Histories will appeal not only to specialists but to any layperson curious to understand more about criminal acts. It is especially valuable to students and instructors of criminal justice, mental health, and related fields.

chapter 1|10 pages

Introduction

Setting the scene

chapter 2|12 pages

Adam's story

Revealing the layers of meaning in an offence

chapter 3|16 pages

Bill and Chris' story

Understanding why denying the offence might be a protective factor and unrelated to future risk

chapter 4|14 pages

David and Eddie's story

Understanding the impact of a childhood in care in relation to later violent offending

chapter 5|17 pages

Frank's story

Understanding how sexual victimisation in childhood might be linked to the abuse of others in adulthood

chapter 6|19 pages

Kevin, Len, and Mark's story

Getting to grips with risk assessment

chapter 7|17 pages

Owen's story

Personality disorder and psychopathy: mad or bad?

chapter 8|19 pages

Peter, Quinn, Rob, and Stuart's story

Severe mental illness and violence: understanding risk and responsibility for those who are violent

chapter 9|18 pages

Tom, Vic, and William's story

Fantasy, planning, and ‘seemingly irrelevant decisions'

chapter 10|19 pages

The practitioner's story

Reflecting on our emotional responses to the work