A Forensic Approach to Political and State Violence

Uncertainty, Ambiguity and Risk
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-55218-7
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 152 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm, Gewicht: 453 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. It also explores barriers to implementing better forensic practice in terms of both professional, economic and policy interests.

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

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Contents

Series editors preface

Preface

Chapter 1 Aggression and Violence Violence

Focussing on physical force and physical injury

Violence and aggression The exemplar-based approach Public health approaches

Social psychological approaches

Bio-psychological approaches

Elements of violence Non-essential Unwanted Harmful Intentional

What violence is not

The importance of good definition

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 2 Defining political violence

Terrorism, insurgency, guerrilla war and hybrid war Method versus movement Directness of challenge or fight Structure and goals Legal definitions of terrorism Definitions in international law

Examples of national approaches Canada

United Kingdom Problems with legal definitions of terrorism Who should define terrorism

Other approaches to definition Criminological approaches Applying criminological theories

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 Distinguishing state violence and state terrorism Difficulties identifying state terrorism The problem of agency The nature of state terrorism

The relationship between state and anti-state terrorism

Hybrid organisations

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 Extremism Radicalisation A widened range of threats Prevent Pursue Protect Prepare Criticisms of UK policy Specific concerns around Prevent Summary and conclusions

Chapter 5 Psychological profiling A brief history Current practice in psychological profiling Criminal Investigation Analysis (CIA) Crime Action Profiling (CAP) Investigative Psychology (IP) Developments in profiling The accuracy of profiling Applying profiling to politically motivated violence Data mining Using profiling to predict and identify from at scene behaviours Using sensitive characteristics in profiling

Profiles of involvement in politically motivated violence

Investigative Psychology and typologies of behaviour

Profiling behaviour in politically motivated hostage incidents

Evaluation

Summary and conclusions

Chapter 6 Risk, ambiguity, uncertainty and intractability Key concepts Risk assessment Risk management, resilience and robustness

Current practice in risk assessment Actuarial approaches to political violence Checklist-based assessments Cargo cult science Going back to basics Validating risk factors Improving practice Are people irrational? How people make good decisions

Ecological rationality and better decision making Keeping things simple Classification Using heuristics to cope with politically motivated violence Summary and conclusions

Concluding thoughts

References

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.