APA Handbook of Forensic Psychology
Volume 1: Individual and Situational Influences in Criminal and Civil Contexts; Volume 2: Criminal Investigation, Adjudication, and Sentencing Outcomes
2nd Edition
Will be published approx. on 6. October 2026
Book
1507 pages
978-1-4338-4327-3 (ISBN)
Description
With significant new and updated content across two volumes and more than 40 chapters, this second edition of the APA Handbook of Forensic Psychology advances understanding of the scientific foundations and practical application of psychology to law and law-related policy.
Psychological knowledge is now regularly used in trial, appellate, and supreme court cases at state and federal levels, and is used to craft law on relevant topics. Psychologists routinely provide testimony about criminal defendants, litigants, and psychological issues in trial courts. Psychological knowledge finds its way into amicus briefs submitted to appellate and supreme courts. To address these and the many other contributions of the field, the first edition of this handbook was published in 2015. Since that time, social, cultural, and political events have shaped the evolution of forensic psychology towards a greater awareness of the importance of sociocultural identities and differences, and related structural and systemic issues. Further, the field has seen massive expansion of the use of technology, from videoconferencing for evaluations to machine learning in hiring decisions. Accordingly, this edition updates and expands the previous one, including discussions of sociocultural identities and systemic inequities, bias, and technology.
The first volume considers individual and situational influences in criminal and civil contexts, with chapters covering forensic evaluation and treatment in criminal cases, individual and situational predictors of criminal behavior, and applications of forensic psychology in civil cases. The second volume of the handbook presents the state of the field in criminal investigation, adjudication, and sentencing outcomes. Chapters examine victim and offender groups, criminal investigations and jury trials, and sentencing and incarceration. To ensure cohesiveness and thorough coverage of core topics, the chapters benefit from a standard set of headings, facilitating wayfinding and highlighting relevant themes. Chapter authors include well-established, internationally recognized scholars and practitioners, as well as rising stars in the field.
Drawing on contemporary psychological research and practice, the handbook provides an indispensable reference on forensic psychological issues important to researchers, practitioners, and students in psychology, other social sciences and practice disciplines, and law.
Psychological knowledge is now regularly used in trial, appellate, and supreme court cases at state and federal levels, and is used to craft law on relevant topics. Psychologists routinely provide testimony about criminal defendants, litigants, and psychological issues in trial courts. Psychological knowledge finds its way into amicus briefs submitted to appellate and supreme courts. To address these and the many other contributions of the field, the first edition of this handbook was published in 2015. Since that time, social, cultural, and political events have shaped the evolution of forensic psychology towards a greater awareness of the importance of sociocultural identities and differences, and related structural and systemic issues. Further, the field has seen massive expansion of the use of technology, from videoconferencing for evaluations to machine learning in hiring decisions. Accordingly, this edition updates and expands the previous one, including discussions of sociocultural identities and systemic inequities, bias, and technology.
The first volume considers individual and situational influences in criminal and civil contexts, with chapters covering forensic evaluation and treatment in criminal cases, individual and situational predictors of criminal behavior, and applications of forensic psychology in civil cases. The second volume of the handbook presents the state of the field in criminal investigation, adjudication, and sentencing outcomes. Chapters examine victim and offender groups, criminal investigations and jury trials, and sentencing and incarceration. To ensure cohesiveness and thorough coverage of core topics, the chapters benefit from a standard set of headings, facilitating wayfinding and highlighting relevant themes. Chapter authors include well-established, internationally recognized scholars and practitioners, as well as rising stars in the field.
Drawing on contemporary psychological research and practice, the handbook provides an indispensable reference on forensic psychological issues important to researchers, practitioners, and students in psychology, other social sciences and practice disciplines, and law.
More details
Series
Edition
Second
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington DC
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 216 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-4338-4327-3 (9781433843273)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Patricia A. Zapf, PhD, is a forensic psychologist and vice president for business innovation and strategic advancement at Palo Alto University. Dr. Zapf obtained her PhD from Simon Fraser University. She began her career in 1999 at the University of Alabama. In 2002, she moved to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she developed and directed their clinical forensic psychology doctoral program. In 2009, she founded CONCEPT Professional Training. Dr. Zapf has authored numerous publications and has served as an editor for both journals and book series. She has developed training programs for forensic mental health professionals worldwide.
Apryl A. Alexander, PsyD, is the Metrolina Distinguished Scholar in Health and Public Policy and associate professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and directs the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center. She received her doctorate from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on violence and victimization, forensic assessment, sexual offending and human sexuality, and trauma-informed and culturally informed practice. Dr. Alexander has received several early career research awards, accolades for her teaching and mentoring, and honors for her community engagement and legislative advocacy. Dr. Alexander's website is https://www.AprylAlexander.com/
Tarika Daftary-Kapur, PhD, is professor of justice studies, associated faculty with the doctoral program in clinical psychology, and codirector of the Legal Decision Making Lab (msudecisionmakinglab.com) at Montclair State University. Her research focuses on adolescent decision-making and legal competencies, the decision-making process of legal actors, and sentencing reform. She has testified before the legislatures of several states and collaborated with jurisdictions around the country on reforming youth justice systems. Dr. Daftary-Kapur is on the editorial board of Law and Human Behavior and has served on committees for the American Psychology-Law Society and grant review panels for the National Science Foundation.
Amanda M. Fanniff, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Palo Alto University. Dr. Fanniff received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on forensic mental health assessment, legal system processing, and the impact of sociocultural identities. She is on the editorial board for the journal Sexual Abuse. She is a committee member for the American Psychology-Law Society and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and serves as the American Psychology-Law Society appointed representative to the Forensic Psychology Specialty Board of the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology.
Diane Sivasubramaniam, PhD, is associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University. She directs the Social Psychology of Innovation Research Group at Swinburne and coleads the Public Interest Technology Research Program in the university's Social Innovation Research Institute. Dr. Sivasubramaniam received her PhD from the University of New South Wales. Her research focuses on the social psychology of procedural and distributive justice. She has held leadership roles in the American Psychology-Law Society; has served the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law; and is an associate editor of Law and Human Behavior.
Apryl A. Alexander, PsyD, is the Metrolina Distinguished Scholar in Health and Public Policy and associate professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and directs the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center. She received her doctorate from the Florida Institute of Technology. Her work focuses on violence and victimization, forensic assessment, sexual offending and human sexuality, and trauma-informed and culturally informed practice. Dr. Alexander has received several early career research awards, accolades for her teaching and mentoring, and honors for her community engagement and legislative advocacy. Dr. Alexander's website is https://www.AprylAlexander.com/
Tarika Daftary-Kapur, PhD, is professor of justice studies, associated faculty with the doctoral program in clinical psychology, and codirector of the Legal Decision Making Lab (msudecisionmakinglab.com) at Montclair State University. Her research focuses on adolescent decision-making and legal competencies, the decision-making process of legal actors, and sentencing reform. She has testified before the legislatures of several states and collaborated with jurisdictions around the country on reforming youth justice systems. Dr. Daftary-Kapur is on the editorial board of Law and Human Behavior and has served on committees for the American Psychology-Law Society and grant review panels for the National Science Foundation.
Amanda M. Fanniff, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Palo Alto University. Dr. Fanniff received her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on forensic mental health assessment, legal system processing, and the impact of sociocultural identities. She is on the editorial board for the journal Sexual Abuse. She is a committee member for the American Psychology-Law Society and the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and serves as the American Psychology-Law Society appointed representative to the Forensic Psychology Specialty Board of the Council of Specialties in Professional Psychology.
Diane Sivasubramaniam, PhD, is associate professor and chair of the Department of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne University. She directs the Social Psychology of Innovation Research Group at Swinburne and coleads the Public Interest Technology Research Program in the university's Social Innovation Research Institute. Dr. Sivasubramaniam received her PhD from the University of New South Wales. Her research focuses on the social psychology of procedural and distributive justice. She has held leadership roles in the American Psychology-Law Society; has served the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law; and is an associate editor of Law and Human Behavior.
Content
Volume 1. Individual and Situational Influences in Criminal and Civil Contexts
Editorial Board
About the Editor-in-Chief
About the Associate Editors
Contributors
A Note from the Publisher
Introduction
Part I. Forensic Evaluation and Treatment in Criminal Cases
Chapter 1. Forensic Mental Health Assessment: Foundational Considerations
Kirk Heilbrun, Heidi Zapotocky, Chelsea Jackson, Kellie Wiltsie, and Hailey Fasone
Chapter 2. Advances in Forensic Assessment Instruments
Richard Rogers, Lindsey D. Ryan-Jones, and Kamar Y. Tazi
Chapter 3. Risk Assessment and Communication
Stephen D. Hart, Kevin S. Douglas, and Laura S. Guy
Chapter 4. Legal Insanity and Mens Rea Defenses
Natalie M. Anumba and Ira K. Packer
Chapter 5. Criminal Competencies
Daniel C. Murrie and Heather Zelle
Chapter 6. Competence Restoration
Daniel C. Murrie, Neil Gowensmith, Lauren E. Kois, and Ira K. Packer
Chapter 7. The Mental Health Treatment of Criminal Offenders
Perry A. Callahan, Linden Loutzenhiser, and Barry Rosenfeld
Chapter 8. Capital Case Considerations
David DeMatteo, Chelsea Jackson, and Kellie Wiltsie
Chapter 9. Applications of Technology in Forensic Mental Health Assessment
Ashley B. Batastini, Madison Lord, Michelle R. Guyton, and Michael J. Vitacco
Chapter 10. Cognitive Bias in Forensic Evaluation and Treatment
W. Neil Gowensmith, Daniel C. Murrie, Tess M.S. Neal, Marcus T. Boccaccini
Chapter 11. Forensic Applications of the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders
Abby L. Mulay, Emily D. Gottfried, and Matthew M. Yalch
Part II. Individual and Situational Predictors of Criminal Behavior
Chapter 12. Criminal Behavior
Shelley L. Brown, Emma McFarlane, and Meghan Garvey
Chapter 13. Psychopathy
Kevin S. Douglas, Man Him Ho, Natalia L. Nikolova, Shannon Kelley, and John F. Edens
Chapter 14. Substance Use and Crime
David DeMatteo, Simone P. Grisamore, and Haleh Kanani
Chapter 15. Sexual Offending
Drew A. Kingston, Heather M. Moulden, and Michael C. Seto
Chapter 16. Intimate Partner Violence
Alexandra Lysova, Tonia L. Nicholls, John Hamel, and Faith Eiboff
Chapter 17. Gun Violence and Mass Shootings
Jillian Peterson and James Densley
Part III. Applications of Forensic Psychology in Civil Cases
Chapter 18. Child Custody and Access
Marc J. Ackerman, Jonathan W. Gould, and Christopher Mulchay
Chapter 19. Personal Injury and Other Tort Matters
Lisa M. Drago, Anthony J. Giuliano, Thomas J. Guilmette, Eric Y. Drogin, and Leigh D. Hagan
Chapter 20, Employment Discrimination
Jane Goodman-Delahunty, Justin R. Ellis, Laura S. Brown, and Sofia B. Davey
Chapter 21. Civil Competencies
Randy K. Otto and Haley Barry
Chapter 22. Immigration Proceedings
Virginia Barber-Rioja, Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, and Sarah Vendzules
Index
Volume 2. Criminal Investigation, Adjudication, and Sentencing Outcomes
Editorial Board
Contributors
Part I. Victim and Offender Groups
Chapter 1. Children as Witnesses
Jason J. Dickinson and Sonja P. Brubacher
Chapter 2. Youth Involved In the Legal System
Jennifer L. Woolard, Amanda NeMoyer, Lena DeYoung, Nivedita Anjaria, Naomi E. Goldstein, and Marina Tolou-Shams
Chapter 3. Older Adults and the Legal System
Eve M. Brank and Lindsey E. Wylie
Chapter 4. Criminal Justice Involved Women
Tonia L. Nicholls, James Avery, Vivienne de Vogel, and Lisa Monchalin
Chapter 5. Race and Ethnicity in the Justice System
Jennifer S. Hunt
Chapter 6. Sexual and Gender Identities and the Legal System
Apryl A. Alexander, Amanda M. Fanniff, Leah Zachariah, Reilly E. Gallin, and Erin Kim Hazen
Part II. Criminal Investigations and Jury Trials
Chapter 7. Investigative Psychology
David Canter
Chapter 8. Eyewitness Memory
Nancy K. Steblay
Chapter 9. Deception Detection
Aldert Vrij
Chapter 10. Confessions
Saul M. Kassin, Jennifer T. Perillo, Sara C. Appleby, and Gabriela Rico
Chapter 11. Jury Decision Making
Lora Levett and Margaret Bull Kovera
Chapter 12. Media and the Law
Jennifer Groscup
Chapter 13. Procedural Justice
Alana Saulnier and Diane Sivasubramaniam
Chapter 14. Law Enforcement and Policing
Mark Zelig, David M. Corey, and Michelle Hoy-Watkins
Part III. Sentencing and Incarceration
Chapter 15. Specialty Courts: Advancing Rehabilitative Ideals in the Legal System
Spencer G. Lawson and Evan M. Lowder
Chapter 16. Plea Bargaining
Tina M. Zottoli, Tarika Daftary-Kapur, Allison D. Redlich, Rebecca K. Helm, and Vanessa A. Edkins
Chapter 17. Community Corrections, Probation, and Parole
Loveline Phillips and Faye S. Taxman
Chapter 18. Sentencing
Mia A. Thomaidou and Colleen M. Berryessa
Chapter 19. The Nature and Effects of Prison Overcrowding
Craig Haney
Chapter 20. The Death Penalty
Craig Haney, Joanna Weill, and Mona Lynch
Index
Editorial Board
About the Editor-in-Chief
About the Associate Editors
Contributors
A Note from the Publisher
Introduction
Part I. Forensic Evaluation and Treatment in Criminal Cases
Chapter 1. Forensic Mental Health Assessment: Foundational Considerations
Kirk Heilbrun, Heidi Zapotocky, Chelsea Jackson, Kellie Wiltsie, and Hailey Fasone
Chapter 2. Advances in Forensic Assessment Instruments
Richard Rogers, Lindsey D. Ryan-Jones, and Kamar Y. Tazi
Chapter 3. Risk Assessment and Communication
Stephen D. Hart, Kevin S. Douglas, and Laura S. Guy
Chapter 4. Legal Insanity and Mens Rea Defenses
Natalie M. Anumba and Ira K. Packer
Chapter 5. Criminal Competencies
Daniel C. Murrie and Heather Zelle
Chapter 6. Competence Restoration
Daniel C. Murrie, Neil Gowensmith, Lauren E. Kois, and Ira K. Packer
Chapter 7. The Mental Health Treatment of Criminal Offenders
Perry A. Callahan, Linden Loutzenhiser, and Barry Rosenfeld
Chapter 8. Capital Case Considerations
David DeMatteo, Chelsea Jackson, and Kellie Wiltsie
Chapter 9. Applications of Technology in Forensic Mental Health Assessment
Ashley B. Batastini, Madison Lord, Michelle R. Guyton, and Michael J. Vitacco
Chapter 10. Cognitive Bias in Forensic Evaluation and Treatment
W. Neil Gowensmith, Daniel C. Murrie, Tess M.S. Neal, Marcus T. Boccaccini
Chapter 11. Forensic Applications of the DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders
Abby L. Mulay, Emily D. Gottfried, and Matthew M. Yalch
Part II. Individual and Situational Predictors of Criminal Behavior
Chapter 12. Criminal Behavior
Shelley L. Brown, Emma McFarlane, and Meghan Garvey
Chapter 13. Psychopathy
Kevin S. Douglas, Man Him Ho, Natalia L. Nikolova, Shannon Kelley, and John F. Edens
Chapter 14. Substance Use and Crime
David DeMatteo, Simone P. Grisamore, and Haleh Kanani
Chapter 15. Sexual Offending
Drew A. Kingston, Heather M. Moulden, and Michael C. Seto
Chapter 16. Intimate Partner Violence
Alexandra Lysova, Tonia L. Nicholls, John Hamel, and Faith Eiboff
Chapter 17. Gun Violence and Mass Shootings
Jillian Peterson and James Densley
Part III. Applications of Forensic Psychology in Civil Cases
Chapter 18. Child Custody and Access
Marc J. Ackerman, Jonathan W. Gould, and Christopher Mulchay
Chapter 19. Personal Injury and Other Tort Matters
Lisa M. Drago, Anthony J. Giuliano, Thomas J. Guilmette, Eric Y. Drogin, and Leigh D. Hagan
Chapter 20, Employment Discrimination
Jane Goodman-Delahunty, Justin R. Ellis, Laura S. Brown, and Sofia B. Davey
Chapter 21. Civil Competencies
Randy K. Otto and Haley Barry
Chapter 22. Immigration Proceedings
Virginia Barber-Rioja, Adeyinka M. Akinsulure-Smith, and Sarah Vendzules
Index
Volume 2. Criminal Investigation, Adjudication, and Sentencing Outcomes
Editorial Board
Contributors
Part I. Victim and Offender Groups
Chapter 1. Children as Witnesses
Jason J. Dickinson and Sonja P. Brubacher
Chapter 2. Youth Involved In the Legal System
Jennifer L. Woolard, Amanda NeMoyer, Lena DeYoung, Nivedita Anjaria, Naomi E. Goldstein, and Marina Tolou-Shams
Chapter 3. Older Adults and the Legal System
Eve M. Brank and Lindsey E. Wylie
Chapter 4. Criminal Justice Involved Women
Tonia L. Nicholls, James Avery, Vivienne de Vogel, and Lisa Monchalin
Chapter 5. Race and Ethnicity in the Justice System
Jennifer S. Hunt
Chapter 6. Sexual and Gender Identities and the Legal System
Apryl A. Alexander, Amanda M. Fanniff, Leah Zachariah, Reilly E. Gallin, and Erin Kim Hazen
Part II. Criminal Investigations and Jury Trials
Chapter 7. Investigative Psychology
David Canter
Chapter 8. Eyewitness Memory
Nancy K. Steblay
Chapter 9. Deception Detection
Aldert Vrij
Chapter 10. Confessions
Saul M. Kassin, Jennifer T. Perillo, Sara C. Appleby, and Gabriela Rico
Chapter 11. Jury Decision Making
Lora Levett and Margaret Bull Kovera
Chapter 12. Media and the Law
Jennifer Groscup
Chapter 13. Procedural Justice
Alana Saulnier and Diane Sivasubramaniam
Chapter 14. Law Enforcement and Policing
Mark Zelig, David M. Corey, and Michelle Hoy-Watkins
Part III. Sentencing and Incarceration
Chapter 15. Specialty Courts: Advancing Rehabilitative Ideals in the Legal System
Spencer G. Lawson and Evan M. Lowder
Chapter 16. Plea Bargaining
Tina M. Zottoli, Tarika Daftary-Kapur, Allison D. Redlich, Rebecca K. Helm, and Vanessa A. Edkins
Chapter 17. Community Corrections, Probation, and Parole
Loveline Phillips and Faye S. Taxman
Chapter 18. Sentencing
Mia A. Thomaidou and Colleen M. Berryessa
Chapter 19. The Nature and Effects of Prison Overcrowding
Craig Haney
Chapter 20. The Death Penalty
Craig Haney, Joanna Weill, and Mona Lynch
Index