A Forensic Approach to Political and State Violence

Uncertainty, Ambiguity and Risk
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-55218-7
Verlag: Routledge

Buch, Englisch, 194 Seiten, Format (B × H): 161 mm x 240 mm, Gewicht: 461 g

Reihe: New Frontiers in Forensic Psychology

A Forensic Approach to Political and State Violence applies a forensic lens to the study of risk in relation to political and state violence.

Divided into three parts, the book outlines the nature and function of political and state violence and the historic development of contributions from forensic practice. It then considers the distinction between political and state violence and the foundations for this. This is followed by a review of developments of current research and practice looking at future development and the ways in which forensic practice might more effectively contribute to risk reduction and management. The text will argue that the basis of much current forensic practice, in relation to political and state violence, is unduly limited and has failed to integrate relevant scientific research into practice. The role of market-led approaches to work in these areas will also be considered, in relation to the way this has influenced and distorted practice and delayed progress. Drawing on theories derived from psychology and other areas of research, the book considers how evidence might inform improvements, using the risks and uncertainties that surround politically motivated violence to illustrate this. Real cases of political and state violence are considered, with topics including military conflict, terrorism, use of torture and hostage taking to highlight current failings and weaknesses. Barriers to implementing better forensic practice in terms of both professional, economic and policy interests are also explored.

It will be an essential read for all students or practitioners in the areas of forensic psychology, criminal justice or violence risk management.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate and Professional Practice & Development

Autoren/Hrsg.

Crighton, David

Fachgebiete

• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Spezielle Soziologie Kriminalsoziologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Politische Gewalt Terrorismus, Religiöser Fundamentalismus
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Kriminalpsychologie, Forensische Psychologie
• Rechtswissenschaften Strafrecht Kriminologie, Strafverfolgung
• Sozialwissenschaften Soziologie | Soziale Arbeit Soziale Gruppen/Soziale Themen Gewalt und Diskriminierung: Soziale Aspekte
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychologische Disziplinen Angewandte Psychologie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Series foreword

Preface

Chapter 1 Aggression and Violence

Violence

Focussing on physical force and physical injury

Violence and aggression

Elements of violence

What violence is not

The importance of good definition

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 2 Defining political violence

Terrorism, insurgency, guerrilla war and hybrid war

Legal definitions of terrorism

Problems with legal definitions of terrorism

Who should define terrorism?

Other approaches to definition

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 3 State violence and terrorism

Long term tensions in the idea of the state

Misunderstanding the state

The future of the state

International law and state terrorism

State terrorism and state violence

Difficulties identifying state terrorism

Possible impacts of human rights on state violence

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 4 Responses to politically motivated violence – the UK example

Politically motivated violence and political accountability

Some legislative milestones

Current UK policy responses

Criticisms of UK policy

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 5 Psychological profiling

A brief history

Current practice in psychological profiling

Developments in profiling

The accuracy of profiling

Applying profiling to politically motivated violence

Profiling behaviour in politically motivated hostage incidents

Evaluation

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 6 Risk, ambiguity, uncertainty and intractability

Key concepts

Risk assessment

Current practice in risk assessment

Cargo cult science

Going back to basics

Improving practice

Ecological rationality and better decision making

Keeping things simple

Using heuristics to cope with politically motivated violence

Summary and conclusions

Concluding thoughts

Index

Über Autor(innen)

David Crighton is Professor of Forensic Psychology at Durham University, UK. He was previously Acting Chief/Deputy Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice, UK.