Crime Classification Manual: A Standard System for Investigating and Classifying Violent Crimes

By John E. Douglas, Ann Wolbert Burgess, Alan Burgess, et al.

Book Overview

Leads to an increased understanding of the nature of crimes and the individuals who commit them Based on the primary intent of the criminal, the Crime Classification Manual leads to an increased understanding of the nature of crime and of the individuals who commit such crimes. This is an indispensable reference for anyone whose work brings them into contact with either the offAnder or victim of violent crime. The Crime Classification Manual: standardizes terminology within the criminal justice field facilitates communication within the criminal justice field and between criminal justice and mental health develops a data base for investigative research A decade in development, this work forms the basis of contemporary investigative profiling, the highly acclaimed strategy in which crimes are solved by generating a profile of the suspect. This best-selling manual provides law enforcement and mental health professionals access to the same information used by the FBI to coordinate their investigations. Also available is the Pocket Guide to the Crime Classification Manual, which presents in handy outline form the data in the main volume and serves as a quick in-the-field reference tool.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787938858
• ISBN13: 9780787938857
• Release Date: August 1997
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 1.1" x 6.1"

Customer Reviews

Leading the field of crime classification

Whilst written primarily for the American law enforcement community this book is an excellent read and will provide a highly useful guide to police officers, criminal lawyers and criminologists the world over. John Douglas proves again that he is one of the leaders in the field of behavioral science providing a character type for each of the main crime classes. I recommend that anyone embarking on a degree with emphasis on criminal law or the sociology of crime should read this book. The primary objective of the work is to allow US police departments to classify serious crimes for analysis purposes. Thus, if you are expecting a "profiling" guide, you will be disappointed. If on the other hand you are content with some insights into patterns of offending and potential distinguishing features, the manual is of value. It contains operational advice to police which I am less competent to judge, although the information on interview methods is limited. Finally don't buy it as a book to plough through - it is definitely for referring rather than reading, and as such should certainly be in all police libraries.

Technical, not for light reading

I am studying forensic psychology and this book has been insightful and helpful. I have read everything john douglas has written and this is just perfect, precise, and organized in every way. Bravo!

Not Too Technical

I think this book is such a wonderful resource. As someone who is in school studying to work in Forensics this was a great book to read. It was not too technical and I would recommend this to anyone in law enforment, anyone who wants to some day work in law enforcement or anyone interested in learning from the masters.

A must have for CJ profesionals

This book clissifies the three major violent crimes: Arson, Murder and Sexual Assaults. This book is to the Criminal Justice profession what the DSM is the the Psychology/Psychiatry profession.This book is a useful guide for any law enforcement processional who is involved in investigative process. The manual presents several sories which help the reader learn the facts of a case, prior to the authors discussing about the specific elements of the crime.The authors provide the investigator with "notes" on how to investigate a specific major felony - and what to look for in the criminal's profile.

A BOOK ON HOW TO CLASSIFY A CRIMINAL....

An organized look at crime and criminals of our time. John Douglas and crew deliver an original piece on "classification." Recommended for anyone who is interested in criminal behavior. This book will teach you everything...from gang murders to obsessed rapists/killers. This book is like no other, it is, just what it is titled, "CRIME CLASSIFICATION MANUAL." -Vanissa W. Cha