Understanding Violent Criminals: Insights from the Front Lines of Law Enforcement (Forensic Psychology)

About this book

What causes people to commit violent crimes? The case studies in this book enable readers to evaluate the motivations behind crimes ranging from arson to rape to gang violence. Violent crime remains a major problem in America: in 2011 there were more than 1.2 million violent crimes committed in the United States. To better grasp the complex reasons behind this disturbing statistic author David J. Thomasa police officer and forensic psychologistconducted an in-depth examination of violent crime to pinpoint why some individuals intentionally inflict pain and suffering upon others. In this book readers are given access to excerpts from police interviews for each spotlighted crime in the case studies offering a unique inside look at the true motivations of the criminal. The case studies include examples of arson crimes against children gang violence human trafficking murder rape and robbery. The work also explores the psychology associated with each crime addresses evidence of corresponding personality types and delves into victimology.