ABSTRACT
The application of psychology to law and criminal behaviour has been an area of considerable growth over the past decade (see Further Reading at the end of this chapter). Forensic psychologists have worked in such diverse areas as crime detection, police selection and training, courtroom dynamics, rules of law in mental health and juvenile and family legislation, the study of offenders, and the design and impact of crime prevention programmes. This chapter will concentrate on three areas-psychology in the courtroom, theories of violence and crime prevention-that illustrate the concerns of contemporary forensic psychology.
