Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool

By Ronald M. Holmes and Stephen T. Holmes

Book Overview

"I highly recommend the second edition of Profiling Violent Crimes for classroom use. It is easy to read and understand, and it makes good sense." --Jack Levin, Northeastern University "Professor Holmes is to be congratulated for producing such a quality work as this for his second edition. I strongly recommend this volume for anyone teaching in the areas of violence, criminal behavior, or serial crime. . . . With this book, Ronald M. Holmes has reasserted himself as one of the leading authorities concerning the area of serial crime. . . . I believe that Profiling Violent Crimes, Second Edition will enhance the field of serial crime profiling for many years." --Robert Hale, Southeastern Louisiana University also see praise for the first edition in the master below this one] With captivating new additions to the best-selling first edition, Profiling Violent Crimes, Second Edition offers a state-of-the-art overview of the general principles of profiling. Presenting the techniques required to develop a complete sociopsychological profile, authors Ronald M. Holmes and Stephen T. Holmes discuss how to use this important tool as a part of effective investigations. Intriguing case examples and illustrations portray the complexity of deviant personality while maintaining a scientific focus and approach. Augmented by valuable tables and charts, this edition also features extensive updates and new chapters on pedophilia, arson, geoforensic information, and the use of computers in profiling. As a textbook vital to students in criminology and criminal justice fields, or as a resource for criminal justice professionals and researchers, Profiling Violent Crimes, Second Edition contributes significantly to the knowledge about violent personalities and behaviors.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803972393
• ISBN13: 9780803972391
• Release Date: January 1996
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.86 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Profiling Violent Crimes: An Investigative Tool

Excellent information. Provides the novice writer and anyone else interested in investigating crime, a good background regarding types of criminals, investingation of the crime scene, etc. Well worth the purchase.

Couldn't put this down

I am a college student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice. This book was used as a supplement for a Criminology course I took in the spring of 2004 and I have to say it is one of the best texts I have read for any of my classes. While it can be used as a text book it can also stand alone. I learned so much from this one book and would suggest reading it if you are interest in criminology.

A must-read for anyone interested in profiling.

A must-read for anyone interested in the world of profiling. It covers a broad range of material including profiling in general, crime scene analysis and profiling of serial murder, arson, rape, pedophilia and victims. It has a good chapter on geographic analyses and predatory criminals. While not a research publication itself, almost all material presented is linked by citation to a publication in its References section. It has a fair-to-good index. In my reading, this book is referenced by more publications on profiling and on serial killers than any other book.

Great Overview!

This book is presented in a straightforward, easy-to-understand way. The authors cover the most important points of profiling, and I have used this book as a reference many times. Definitely a must have if you're a student in the field of forensic psychology!

Must buy it!!

If you are looking for really gory stories and lots of blood and perversion. This is not your book. If you have an genuine interest in crime analysis (or criminal profiling) on the other hand, this book is very much something you want to own and read many times. In a very easy to understand way the authors explains the art of profiling, how it's done, how to use a profile and how it shouldn't be used. This book also shows examples of less than perfect profiles, plus it shines a new, critical light, on the FBI behavioral science unit and some of it's profilers. Very interesting!