FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY Explore the theory, research, and practice of forensic psychology with this collection of resources from recognized leaders in the field
The newly revised Third Edition of Forensic Psychology delivers insightful coverage of the theory and applications of forensic psychology. The book combines authoritative scholarship with an unprecedented breadth of international coverage and constitutes an essential resource for all aspects of contemporary forensic and criminal psychology.
The new edition addresses issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion in each section, as well as the uses and abuses of power in forensic contexts. The book takes a constructively critical approach to the dominant theories, policy, and practices of today, as opposed to being merely descriptive, and considers new and developing areas, like the prevention of sexual violence at universities.
Forensic Psychology comprehensively addresses the application of modern forensic techniques and practices to the civil and criminal justice systems in the United Kingdom. Each chapter concludes with some specific suggestions for further reading. Additionally, readers will enjoy the inclusion of a wide variety of topics, like:
A thorough discussion of investigative and clinical practice, including the politics of forensic psychology, offender profiling, eyewitness testimony, and jury decision making An examination of clinical and risk assessments, including reviews of the key legal issues and principles involved in risk assessments, the role of structured instruments and protocols, and coverage of actuarial and structured clinical methods Discussions of working with criminalized populations in prisons and forensic mental health facilities A treatment of psychology in the courts with an emphasis on the courts of England and Wales
Perfect for graduate level students in forensic psychology courses, Forensic Psychology will also earn a place in the libraries of qualified forensic psychologist practitioners and postgraduate students seeking to improve their understanding of forensic psychology with a high-quality international textbook underpinned by considerations of human rights and ethical standards.
List of Contributors xxiii Chapter 1 Introduction 1 Graham J. Towl and David A. Crighton Justice 4 Expert Controversies 6 Human Rights and Ethics 7 Developmental Perspectives 8 Investigation and Prosecution Issues 10 Psychological Assessment 11 Critical Psychology 12 Substance Use 13 Early Intervention 13 Justice Restored 15 Note 15 Further Reading 16 References 16 Part 1 Forensic Psychology: Legal Chapter 2 Offender Profiling 21 David A. Crighton Introduction 22 Historical Development 22 Approaches to Offender Profiling 25 Criminal investigative analysis 25 Crime action profiling 25 Investigative psychology 26 The Development of Offender Profiling 26 Current Evidence on Accuracy 30 Conclusions 31 Notes 32 Further Reading 32 References 33 Chapter 3 Eyewitness Testimony 36 Lorraine Hope and Ryan J. Fitzgerald Eyewitness Identification Performance 37 The Witnessed Event 39 Witness factors 39 Super‐recognisers 40 Perpetrator factors 40 Situational factors 42 Between the Witnessed Event and Identification Task 43 Retention interval 43 Post‐event misinformation 44 Intermediate Recognition Tasks 45 Mugshots 45 Composite production 45 The identification task 46 Pre‐lineup instructions 46 Lineup composition 46 Investigator bias 47 Lineup procedure: Comparing absolute and relative judgements 48 Post‐identification feedback 49 Is confidence related to accuracy? 49 Is eyewitness identification evidence reliable? 50 Procedural Guidelines Relating to Suspect Identification in the United Kingdom 51 The Eyewitness in Court 53 Conclusions 54 Further Reading 54 References 55 Chapter 4 Jury Decision‐making 66 Andreas Kapardis 66 Introduction: The Jury Idea 67 The Notion of an Impartial and Fair Jury: A Critical Appraisal 68 Arguments Against Jury Trials 69 Arguments in Favour of Jury Trials 70 Methods for Studying Juries/Jurors 71 Archival research 71 Questionnaire surveys 71 Mock juries 72 Shadow juries 73 Post‐trial juror interviews 73 Books by ex‐jurors 74 Selecting Jurors 74 Pre‐Trial Publicity 75 The Reported Importance of Juror Characteristics 76 Juror Competence 78 Comprehending evidence 78 Understanding and following the judge’s instructions/the jury charge 79 The Jury Foreperson 79 Jury Deliberation 80 Small Juries 81 Defendant Characteristics 82 Victim/Plaintiff Characteristics 82 Lawyer and Judge Characteristics 82 Courtroom Design 83 Hung Juries 83 Models of Jury Decision‐making 83 Reforming the Jury to Remedy Some of Its Problems 84 Alternatives to Trial by Jury 84 Conclusions 85 Notes 86 Further Reading 87 References 87 Chapter 5 Jury Decision‐making in Rape Trials: An Attitude Problem? 94 Dominic Willmott, Daniel Boduszek, Agata Debowska and Lara Hudspith Introduction 95 Case study—The girl of Qatif 96 Rape and Sexual Offences in the Criminal Justice System 97 The prevalence of sexual victimisation 98 Rape complaints and attrition 98 Jury acquittals at trial 100 Jury Decision‐making within Rape Trials 101 Arguments against retaining juries in rape trials 102 Arguments in favour of retaining juries in rape trials 102 Juror Bias and Pre‐trial Attitudes 103 Rape myths: Definitions and research 104 Common rape myth beliefs 104 Rape myths and jury decision‐making: The empirical evidence 105 Methodological considerations 109 Mock jury trial methodological considerations 110 Solutions and reforms 110 Conclusions 112 Further Reading 113 References 113 Chapter 6 Psychology in the Courts 120 David A. Crighton Introduction 121 Systems of Justice 123 The System of Courts 124 The courts in England and Wales 124 Magistrates’ courts 124 Youth courts 124 The Crown Court 125 The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) 125 The County Court 125 The Family Court 125 The High Court 125 The Courts in Scotland 126 Justice of the Peace Courts 126 Sheriff Courts 126 Sheriff Appeal Court 126 The High Court of Justiciary 126 The Court of Session 126 The Courts in Northern Ireland 127 Magistrates’ courts (including youth courts and family proceedings) 127 The Crown Court 127 The Court of Appeal 127 County Courts 127 The High Court 127 The UK Supreme Court 128 Some Other UK Courts and Tribunals 128 Court Martial 128 Coroners Courts and fatal accident inquiries 128 The Parole Boards 129 Mental Health Tribunals 129 Contributions of Psychology 129 Legal Process 131 Psychologists’ Evidence in Court 132 Giving Evidence 135 Conclusions 136 Notes 137 Further Reading 137 References 138 Part 2 Forensic Psychology: Clinical Chapter 7 Clinical Assessment 143 David A. Crighton Conceptual Issues in Assessment 144 Classification 145 Dimensional approaches 147 Diagnosis and formulation 148 Assessment 148 Hypothesis formulation 148 Psychodynamic theory 151 Cognitive behavioural theory 152 Systemic theory 153 Social inequalities theory 153 Integrative theories 154 Data Gathering 155 Interviews 156 Psychometric assessments 157 Data Analysis 158 Reliability 158 Validity 159 Criterion‐related validity 159 Content validity 159 Construct validity 159 Specificity, sensitivity and power 160 Single case analysis 160 Clinical Judgements and Biases 161 Conclusions 162 Notes 163 Further Reading 163 References 164 Chapter 8 Risk Assessment 166 David A. Crighton Key Legal Issues 167 Key Principles in Risk Assessment 168 Approaches to risk assessment 169 Risk Assessment Instruments 171 Critical Issues in Risk Assessment 175 Acceptable risk and rare catastrophic failures 179 Conclusions 181 Notes 182 Further Reading 183 References 184 Chapter 9 Psychology in Prisons 187 David A. Crighton and Graham J. Towl The Development of Psychology in Prisons 188 Developments in England and Wales 192 What Psychologists Do in Corrections 193 Legal 193 Clinical 195 Teaching and training 197 Research and development 198 The future 198 Conclusions 200 Notes 202 Further Reading 203 References 203 Chapter 10 Forensic Psychology in Mental Health and Social Care 207 Phil Willmot and Elizabeth Utting Introduction 208 Forensic Psychology in Mental Health 208 The legal framework 209 Practical issues 210 Cultural issues 210 Evidence Base 211 Forensic Psychology in Social Care 213 The legal framework 213 Contributions of forensic psychology to social care 214 Systemic issues 215 Discussion 216 Further Reading 217 References 218 Chapter 11 The Developmental Evidence Base: Neurobiological Research and Forensic Applications 221 Robert A. Schug, Yu Gao, Andrea L. Glenn, Yong Lin Huang, Melissa Peskin, Yaling Yang and Adrian Raine The Developmental Evidence Base: Neurobiological Research 222 Genetics 223 Neuroimaging 224 Neurology 226 Neuropsychology 228 Verbal and spatial intelligence 228 Executive functioning 229 Biological versus social influences 231 Psychophysiology 231 Heart rate 232 Skin conductance 232 Electroencephalogram and event‐related potentials 234 Endocrinology 236 Moral Development 236 Nutrition 238 Forensic Applications of Developmental Neurobiological Research 239 Lie detection 240 Legal and judicial process 241 Assessment 241 Diagnostic identification 241 Treatment 242 Intervention 243 Dangerousness and risk prediction 243 Conclusions 244 Further Reading 244 References 245 Chapter 12 The Developmental Evidence Base: Prevention 263 David P. Farrington Introduction 264 Risk‐focused prevention 265 What is a risk factor? 265 Cost–benefit analysis 266 Family‐based Prevention 266 Home visiting programmes 267 Parent management training 268 Other parenting interventions 269 Multi‐systemic therapy 270 School‐based Prevention 271 Pre‐school programmes 271 School programmes 272 Anti‐bullying programmes 274 Peer Programmes 275 Skills Training 276 Communities That Care 278 Recent UK Developments 279 Conclusions 280 Further Reading 283 References 283 Chapter 13 The Developmental Evidence Base: Psychosocial Research 294 David P. Farrington Introduction 295 Individual Factors 300 Temperament and personality 300 Hyperactivity and impulsivity 301 Low intelligence and attainment 302 Low empathy 303 Family Factors 304 Child-rearing 304 Teenage mothers and child abuse 306 Parental conflict and disrupted families 307 Criminal parents 309 Large family size 310 Social Factors 311 Socio-economic deprivation 311 Peer influences 312 School influences 313 Community influences 314 Conclusions 316 Further Reading 317 References 318 Chapter 14 Desistance from Crime 330 Lila Kazemian and David P. Farrington Current State of Knowledge on Desistance 331 Social predictors of desistance 331 Employment 332 Marriage 333 Peers 335 Military 336 Religion and Spirituality 336 Substance Use 337 Cognitive predictors of desistance 337 The role of identity change in the desistance process 339 The interaction between social and cognitive factors 340 Genetic Factors and Desistance 341 Summary 342 Conclusions 342 Policy relevance of desistance research 342 Next steps in desistance research 343 Further Reading 344 References 345 Chapter 15 Crisis Negotiation 350 David A. Crighton Development of Crisis Negotiation 351 Conceptual Issues in Crisis Negotiation 352 Types of critical incidents 352 To Negotiate or Not to Negotiate 354 Goals of Crisis Negotiation 355 Calming the situation 355 Process of crisis negotiation 355 Communication and rapport building 356 Listening 356 Showing empathy 357 Building rapport 357 Developing influence 357 Gathering intelligence 358 Crisis Negotiation and Terrorism 358 Crisis Negotiation during Terrorist Incidents 360 The Process of Negotiation with Terrorists 361 The Experience of Hostages 361 Crisis Negotiation—The Evidence 362 Conclusions 365 Notes 366 Further Reading 366 References 367 Chapter 16 Terrorism 371 Orla Lynch Introduction 372 Key Issues—Defining Terrorism 373 Labelling 374 Is Terrorism a Psychological Issue? 375 The Psychology of Terrorism: The State of the Art 376 Applying Psychology: The Case of Extremism 380 Risk Assessment 382 Risk assessment and the case of terrorism 382 Intervention 383 Proactive Integrated Support Model (PRISM) 386 What Does CVE Success Look Like? 387 Conclusion 388 Notes 388 Further Reading 389 References 389 Chapter 17 Intellectual Disability: Assessment 394 David A. Crighton The Context of Forensic Practice 395 Mental Health Legislation 396 Learning Disability and Crime 397 Pathways into and through offender services 400 Childhood adversity and behaviour problems 402 Adult psychiatric disorders 403 Specific offence types and pathways into services 404 Applications of Psychology to Processes within the Justice System 407 The process of police interview 407 The legal process and offenders with ID 408 Working with Offenders with ID 410 Assessment issues 410 Assessment of anger and aggression 412 Assessment for sexual offenders 413 Assessment of fire raising 416 Risk assessment 417 The role of dynamic risk assessment in the management of offenders with ID 419 Conclusions on Assessment 420 Notes 421 Further Reading 421 References 422 Chapter 18 Intellectual Disability: Treatment and Management 430 David A. Crighton and Graham J. Towl Treatment for Specific Needs 433 Aggression 433 Sexual offending 435 Interventions for other offence‐related problems 440 Conclusions 442 Note 443 Further Reading 443 References 444 Chapter 19 Personality Disorder: Assessment and Treatment 448 Conor Duggan and Richard Howard Introduction 449 DSM‐5 Alternative Model 450 ICD‐11 451 Prototype Matching/SWAP-200 453 PD Assessment in Forensic and Correctional Contexts 455 Clinical Implications of ICD‐11 457 Translating Theory into Practice in the Treatment of PD 457 Livesley’s Integrated Modular Treatment 459 Ruptures in the Patient–Therapist Relationship 460 Will Categories of PD (and Borderline PD in Particular) Survive? 461 A Hierarchical Model of Personality Disorder 463 Concluding Comments 464 Further Reading 465 References 465 Chapter 20 Personality Disorder and Offending 468 Richard Howard and Conor Duggan Introduction 469 Some caveats 469 PD and offending in community samples 471 The ‘comorbidity’ problem 472 Comorbidity with ‘psychopathy’ 474 Emotional impulsiveness 476 The importance of context 476 Paranoid thinking and violence 477 Paranoia and angry rumination 478 Concluding Comments 479 Note 480 Further Reading 480 References 481 Chapter 21 The Biopsychosocial Model of Psychopathy 485 Nicholas D. Thomson Construct of Psychopathy 486 Psychopathy and the Biopsychosocial Model 487 Biological Contributors to Psychopathy 488 Genetics 488 Brain structures and function 488 Hormones 489 Psychological Contributors to Psychopathy 490 Childhood psychopathology and temperament 490 Personality traits 491 Cognitive function 491 Social Contributors to Psychopathy 492 Psychopathy: The Biopsychosocial Disorder 493 Further Reading 493 References 494 Chapter 22 Personality Disorder: Clinical and Policy Responses and the ‘OPD Pathway’ 499 Sarah Skett and Carine Lewis What Is the OPD Pathway and What Makes It Unique? 500 History and context 500 Aims, Principles and the Theoretical Model of the OPD Pathway 501 The OPD Core Offender Management service and workforce development 504 The relational environment and its importance 505 Interventions in custody 506 Interventions in the community—IIRMS, AP PIPES and Supported Housing 507 Conclusion 508 Further Reading 508 References 509 Chapter 23 The Role of Arts in the Criminal Justice System 514 Laura Caulfield Introduction and Context 515 The Arts in Criminal Justice: What Exists and Their Role 515 The Arts in Criminal Justice: Their Impact 518 Confidence and engagement 519 Identity 520 Well-being 520 Relationships: Collaboration and democracy 521 The importance of rehabilitation 522 Developing the evidence base 522 Summary 524 Organisations mentioned in this chapter 524 Useful resources 525 Notes 525 References 525 Chapter 24 Substance Use 529 David A. Crighton Drugs and Crime 531 Assessment of Substance Use Disorders 532 Management of Detoxification 533 Heroin (and other opiates) 534 Stimulants 534 Alcohol 534 Multiple drug detoxification 535 The management of withdrawal in custody 535 Treatment 535 Cognitive behavioural interventions 536 Twelve-step treatments and therapeutic communities 537 Drug maintenance and other pharmacotherapies 539 Efficacy of Treatments 540 Additional Considerations 542 Mental health 542 Suicide risk 543 Overdose 543 Physical health risks 543 Notes 544 Further Reading 544 References 545 Chapter 25 Sports-based Learning and the Role of Sport in Promoting Education in Prisons 549 Rosie Meek Emerging Issues and Ongoing Challenges 553 Further Reading 556 References 557 Chapter 26 Suicide and Self-harm in Prisons: Age, Gender and Ethnicity 560 Graham J. Towl Self-harm 565 Suicide Prevention 566 Further Reading 570 References 570 Chapter 27 Suicide, Self-harm and Imprisoned Women 572 Tammi Walker Overview 573 Context 573 Background 574 What Is Prison Suicide? 574 Rates of Suicide in Prisoner Populations 575 Suicide and Imprisoned Women 576 Self-harm and Imprisoned Women 578 Risk Factors for Suicide and Self-harm 580 Individual 580 Mental ill-health 581 Prison life 582 Preventing Suicide and Self-harm by Imprisoned Women 584 Limitations of Suicide Research in Prison Settings 586 Conclusion 586 Further Reading 587 References 587 Chapter 28 What Can University Communities Do to Reduce Sexual Violence? Responsibility, Prevention and Response 593 Clarissa J. Humphreys and Graham J. Towl Introduction 594 Why Universities Must Address Sexual Violence 595 Research-informed Policy and Practice 599 Prevention 600 Response 602 Conclusion 605 Notes 606 Further Reading 606 References 607 Chapter 29 Adult Cyber Harassment and Image-based Sexual Abuse 609 Afroditi Pina Conceptual Challenges and Outline 611 Online Non-sexual Harassment 611 Cyber harassment/cyberbullying 612 Online hate speech 613 Trolling 614 Doxing (also spelled ‘doxxing’) 615 Cyberstalking 615 Online Sexual Harassment and Abuse 616 Technology-facilitated sexual violence 617 Cyber sexual harassment 617 Image-based sexual abuse 618 Criminalisation/Legislation of Online Harassment Behaviours 620 Looking to the Future: Conceptual Harmonisation, Practical Implications and Future Research 622 References 624 Chapter 30 Intimate Partner Abuse 630 Elizabeth A. Gilchrist Key Issues In IPA 631 Key Principles In IPA 632 Key Legal Issues 633 Theoretical Approaches to IPA 637 Biological theories 637 Psychological theories 637 Sociological: Interpersonal/family systems 637 Cultural explanations 638 Integrative approaches/multi-factor theories 639 Empirical Evidence 640 Risk abuse markers 640 Gender as a risk factor 642 Female offenders 642 Risk markers for assault and for lethality 643 Measurement of IPA 644 Different types of abuser 645 Critical Issues in Intimate Partner Abuse 646 Victim issues 646 IPA risk assessment 647 Limitations of risk tools 650 Effective interventions for IPA 650 Multi-agency responses 652 Conclusions 653 Further Reading 653 References 654 Chapter 31 Hate Crime and Hate Incidents at a UK University: Empirical Evidence Informing Policy and Research Practice 662 Nadia Siddiqui and Graham J. Towl The Prevalence of Hate Incidents 666 Barriers to Reporting to the Authorities 668 Is Race or Religion a Factor in Victimisation? 669 Thematic Analysis 669 Education 670 Increase Victim Support 671 Conclusions 672 Further Reading 673 References 674 Chapter 32 Bullying in Prisons: Introducing the Prison Bullying Ecosystem Framework as a Guide for Intervention 676 Jane L. Ireland, Carol A. Ireland, Ushna Mian, Raneesha De Silva and Michael Lewis Prison Bullying: Summarising Some Key Findings 678 Defining prison-based bullying 678 Extent of prison-based bullying 679 Groups involved 680 Understanding Prison Bullying: Introducing Theoretical Perspectives 680 Taking Theory and Proposing a Framework for Intervention: Prison Bullying Ecosystem Framework 683 Considering ecosystem external factors 684 Considering ecosystem internal factors 686 Concluding Comments 689 References 690 Chapter 33 Psychology of Gang Membership: Group Processes, Social Cognition and Mental Health 692 Jane L. Wood Gang Membership 693 Gang Joining 693 Gang Members: Delinquency Levels 694 Gang Identity and Identifying with the Gang 695 Conformity, Pluralistic Ignorance and Cohesion 696 Intergroup Conflict and Status Enhancement 697 Being a Gang Member: Social Cognitive Processes 698 Moral Disengagement 699 Offence-supportive Cognitions 700 Rumination, Displaced Aggression and Entitativity 702 Rumination 702 Displaced aggression 703 Entitativity 704 Gang involvement and mental health 704 Conclusions 706 Further Reading 707 References 707 Chapter 34 Arson and Fire Setting: A New Conceptualisation 713 Faye Horsley Introduction 714 Part One 714 Background 714 The Psychology of Arson and Fire Setting 715 Sample composition 715 Recidivism and dangerousness 717 Characteristics of arsonists and fire setters 718 Summary of empirical work 720 Theoretical Perspectives 720 Typologies 720 Multi-factor perspectives 721 Problems with the literature 722 Part Two 724 Non-criminalised fire use 724 The Continuum of Fire Use (CoFU) 726 Implications and Applications 727 Conclusions 728 Notes 729 Further Reading 729 References 729 Chapter 35 Trauma-informed Care in the Criminal Justice System 735 Tammi Walker Introduction 736 What Is Trauma? 737 Trauma among Men and Women in Prison 740 Becoming Trauma Informed 741 SAMHSA’s Four ‘R’S’: Key assumptions in the trauma-informed approach 741 SAMHSA’s six key principles of the trauma-informed approach 743 SAMHSA’s ten implementation domains for the trauma-informed approach 743 Prisons as Trauma-informed Organisations 744 Evaluations of Prisons as Trauma-informed Organisations 746 Barriers to Trauma-informed Care in Prison 748 Conclusion 748 Further Reading 749 References 749 Part 3 Forensic Psychology: Ethics and Politics Chapter 36 The Politics of Forensic Psychological Research, Policy and Practice 755 Graham J. Towl New Public Management 756 Language Use as Forensic Psychologists 758 How Does the Way in Which Psychology Is Taught in the United Kingdom Influence the Development of Forensic Psychology? 760 A Brief History of Forensic Psychological Internal Politics in the United Kingdom 762 Debates around the defining characteristics of the discipline 762 Training arrangements 764 Statutory regulation of practitioner psychologists 765 Conclusions 765 Further Reading 766 References 767 Chapter 37 Aspects of Diagnosed Mental Illness and Offending 769 David Pilgrim Social Context of Rule Transgressions: Normal and Abnormal Offenders 770 Penal and psychiatric jurisdiction of mentally abnormal offenders 771 Overlaps and Tensions between Psychiatric and Psychological Knowledge 772 Psychological encounters with ‘mental illness’ in forensic settings 773 Traditions of psychiatric and psychological knowledge 774 Emergence of the biopsychosocial model and neo-Kraepelinian retrenchment 775 Psychological and Psychiatric Approaches to Mental Illness in Forensic Settings 777 Problematic Relationship between Diagnosed Mental Illness and Risks 779 ‘Dual diagnosis’ or ‘comorbidity’ 779 Mental illness and risk to others 780 Conclusions 783 Further Reading 783 References 784 Chapter 38 Role of Safeguarding in Overcoming Persistent Harmful Practice in Forensic Mental Health 787 Brian A. Thomas‐Peter and Rebecca Lawday Moral Blindness in Forensic Mental Health 789 Major Inquiries: Lessons Not Learned 791 The Failure of Senior Management 797 Conclusion 799 Notes 800 Further Reading 800 References 800 Chapter 39 Beyond ‘Disorder’: A Manifesto for Psychological Health and Well-being 803 Peter Kinderman Labels Are for Products, Not People 805 Reliability 806 Validity 807 Can we think of a better phrase than ‘oppositional defiant disorder’? 808 A New Approach 809 Minimising real problems 811 Moving Beyond the Concept of ‘Abnormality’ 811 There are alternatives to diagnosis 813 Non-diagnostic alternatives 813 Recognising causes in the real world 814 The drugs don’t work 815 Coercion 816 Prevention 817 Pathways to mental health 819 We learn to make sense of the world 819 Psychological model of mental health and well-being 821 Notes 821 Further Reading 821 References 822 Chapter 40 Ethical Issues in Forensic Psychology 824 Graham J. Towl Philosophical Roots 826 Ethical Guidance for Professionals 828 APA ethical guidance 830 APA specialty guidelines for forensic psychology (2013) 830 Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI) code of professional ethics 831 BACP—Ethical framework for good practice in counselling and psychotherapy 832 HCPC standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2016) 833 BPS code of ethics and conduct (2018) 833 Specialist BPS forensic guidance 834 Power Relationships 834 Conclusions 836 Note 837 Further Reading 837 References 838 Name Index 841 Subject Index 849
David A. Crighton is Hon. Professor of Forensic Psychology at Durham University. He was formally Deputy Chief Psychologist in the UK Ministry of Justice. He is a past Chair of the BPS Expert Witness Advisory Group and a past Secretary and Treasurer of the British Psychological Society, Division of Forensic Psychology. Graham J. Towl is Professor of Forensic Psychology, Durham University and visiting Clinical Professor, University of Newcastle. He was formally the Chief Psychologist at the Ministry of Justice, UK, and uniquely is the recipient of BPS awards for Distinguished Contributions to Professional practice and forensic academic knowledge. His research interests are wide currently including suicide in prisons and sexual violence at universities.