Full Description
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.
Contents
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
