Ebook: Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology

The role of behavioral and social sciences in the courtroom setting has expanded exponentially in the past few decades. It is now widely recognized that scientists in these areas provide critical contextual information for legal decision making, and that there is a reliable knowledge base for doing so. While there are many handbooks of forensic psychology, this is the first such volume to incorporate sociological findings, broadening the conceptual basis for examining cases in both the civil and criminal realms, including immigration issues, personal injury, child custody, and sexual harassment.

This volume will examine the responsibilities of expert witnesses and consultants, and how they may utilize principles, theories and methods from both sociology and psychology. It will show these disciplines together can improve the identification and apprehension of criminals, as well as enhance the administration of justice by clarifying profiles of criminal behavior, particularly in cases of serial killers, death threat makers, stalkers, and kidnappers. The volume is quite comprehensive, covering a range of medical, school, environmental and business settings. Throughout it links basic ideas to real applications and their impact on the justice system.

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Since their emergence as social sciences, psychology and sociology have found a natural home in the justice system. And while the term forensics often translates into CSI scenarios in the public imagination, the bulk of the work takes place in the courtroom, where lawyers, judges, and jurors rely on psychology and sociology experts for aid in decision making.

The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology offers comprehensive, straightforward coverage of the impact of social science on the spectrum of civil and criminal legal issues. This unique reference guides readers through the work of professionals in both fields as expert witnesses, as consultants before and during trials, and in critiquing legal and law enforcement procedure. Offering expert insights into the making and breaking of laws, contributors analyze forensic psychology and sociology theories and methods used in areas as diverse as immigration, divorce and family, product liability, and employment and education related litigation. A range of evaluative procedures, from custody to competency, child abuse to the death penalty, is examined as well. Other topics featured in the Handbook include:

• The problem of interrogation-induced false confession.
• The role of the gang expert in court.
• Gender analysis in military court-martials.
• Sociological theory and methods in suicide litigation.
• Psychosocial theories about anger and their relevance in litigation.
• Neuropsychological testing standards and ethics.

The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology opens out this increasingly important field for criminologists, and gives researchers in forensic psychology and sociology clear insights into challenges and opportunities facing these fields.

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Since their emergence as social sciences, psychology and sociology have found a natural home in the justice system. And while the term forensics often translates into CSI scenarios in the public imagination, the bulk of the work takes place in the courtroom, where lawyers, judges, and jurors rely on psychology and sociology experts for aid in decision making.

The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology offers comprehensive, straightforward coverage of the impact of social science on the spectrum of civil and criminal legal issues. This unique reference guides readers through the work of professionals in both fields as expert witnesses, as consultants before and during trials, and in critiquing legal and law enforcement procedure. Offering expert insights into the making and breaking of laws, contributors analyze forensic psychology and sociology theories and methods used in areas as diverse as immigration, divorce and family, product liability, and employment and education related litigation. A range of evaluative procedures, from custody to competency, child abuse to the death penalty, is examined as well. Other topics featured in the Handbook include:

• The problem of interrogation-induced false confession.
• The role of the gang expert in court.
• Gender analysis in military court-martials.
• Sociological theory and methods in suicide litigation.
• Psychosocial theories about anger and their relevance in litigation.
• Neuropsychological testing standards and ethics.

The Handbook of Forensic Sociology and Psychology opens out this increasingly important field for criminologists, and gives researchers in forensic psychology and sociology clear insights into challenges and opportunities facing these fields.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xi
Evolving Practice Parameters of Forensic Criminology....Pages 1-20
The Work of the Sociologist as Mitigation Expert in Cases of Violent Crime....Pages 21-27
“Oh, Stop That Cursed Jury”: The Role of the Forensic Psychologist in the Mitigation Phase of the Death Penalty Trial....Pages 29-45
The Problem of Interrogation-Induced False Confession: Sources of Failure in Prevention and Detection....Pages 47-75
Brainwashing’ as Forensic Evidence....Pages 77-85
Target Selection by Criminal Groups and Gangs....Pages 87-102
Gangs in the Workplace....Pages 103-108
The Role of a Gang Expert in Court....Pages 109-113
Competence to Proceed and Juvenile Courts....Pages 115-143
Competency Evaluations for Adult Defendants....Pages 145-158
Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluation of Hispanics....Pages 159-173
Sociological Testimony in Employment- and Education-Related Litigation....Pages 175-184
Preventing Workplace Violence and Litigation Through Preemployment Screening and Enforcement of Workplace Conduct Expectations....Pages 185-199
Critical Issues in the Evolving Diagnosis of PTSD....Pages 201-214
Sociological Evidence in Suicide Litigation....Pages 215-222
Sociological Data in Malpractice Lawsuits....Pages 223-229
Sociological Testimony in Long-Term Care Litigation....Pages 231-237
Sociological Testimony and Evidence in Product Liability Litigation....Pages 239-255
Sociological Evidence in Human Factors-Related Litigation....Pages 257-264
Sociological Testimony in Alcohol- and Other Drug-Associated Litigation....Pages 265-279
Sociological Theory and Methods in Toxic Tort Lawsuits....Pages 281-304
Child Custody Evaluations....Pages 305-321
Parental Alienation....Pages 323-344
Anger....Pages 345-362
Forensic Evaluation of Child Abuse....Pages 363-374
Sociological Evidence in Abuse Litigation....Pages 375-389
Using Expert Witnesses in Immigration Hearings/Court....Pages 391-395
Forensic Sociology: The Case of Honor Killing in the Muslim World....Pages 397-402
Courting Media: Mass Media Studies of Immigration Courts....Pages 403-431
Sociological Evidence in Courts-Martial Pertaining to War Crimes....Pages 433-444
Gender Matters! Socio-Legal Studies, Courts-Martial, and the US Military....Pages 445-453
Back Matter....Pages 455-466