Rating: 
Summary: Required reading for anyone investigating homicidal deaths.
Review: The authors have put together a classification system that allows very descriptive communication between law enforcement professionals investigating homicides. Their use of examples for each of the categories of homicides makes the classification system both real and easier to remember; you don't need to take the book with you to the scene (anyway, it's not a pocket manual) After reading this book, anyone who investigates homicides will have a better appreciation for why a careful analysis of the scene and victimology can assist with the identification of potential suspects and collection of appropriate evidence.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for CJ profesionals
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Leading the field of crime classification
Review: 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.
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