Forensic Victimology: Examining Violent Crime Victims in Investigative and Legal Contexts

The first edition of Forensic Victimology: Examining Violent Crimes in Investigative and Legal Contexts introduced criminologists and criminal investigators to the idea of systematically gathering and examining victim information for the purposes of addressing investigative and forensic issues. The concepts presented immediately proved vital to social scientists researching victim--offender relationships; investigators and forensic scientists seeking to reconstruct events and establish the elements of a crime; and criminal profilers seeking to link pattern crimes. This is because the principles and guidelines in Forensic Victimology were written to serve criminal investigation and anticipate courtroom testimony.

The second edition applied presentation of a traditionally theoretical subject written by criminal justice practitioners with years of experience - both in the field and in the classroom. It distinguished the investigative and forensic aspects of applied victim study as necessary adjuncts to what has often been considered a theoretical field. It then identified the benefits of forensic victimology to casework, providing clearly defined methods and those standards of practice necessary for effectively serving the criminal justice system.

Forensic Victimology: Examining Violent Crime Victims in Investigative and Legal Contexts, Third Edition continues with both theoretical and applied coverage of the subject of victimology. The specific application remains investigative and legal venues, designed to assist investigators and forensic examiners with the task of performing victimological assessments and incorporating them into their work. The focus will not be sociological in nature or related to victim services or social work. It will expand into the areas of femicide and mass shootings, which are global problems, and emphasize related casework and research.