Profiling The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science and Criminal Investigative Analysis [Hardcover]

Dr. Robert Girod Sr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 2004

Profiling the Criminal Mind is, as the subtitle indicates, is a text and reference on behavioral science and criminal investigative analysis for investigators, forensic scientists, prosecutors, behavioral scientists, and academics. This compilation combines crime scene forensics and experience with behavioral science to get into the criminal's mind and interpret crime scenes.

A practical guide to applied criminology, the author brings together his years of experience as a detective/investigator and professor of criminology and criminal justice to outline an inter-disciplinary approach to analyzing crime scenes and crime scene behavior.

Multi-discipline sleuths and researchers into the criminal mind will find this combined approach to analysis a valuable strategic approach to the study of violent criminal behavior.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Robert J. Girod, Sr. earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Criminology and Public Administration from The Union Institute and University and a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership from Harvard University.Girod is a supervisor in the Detective Bureau with the Fort Wayne Police Department, a member of the FBI?s Federal Bank Robbery Task Force and a part-time ?special deputy? for the U.S. Marshal?s Service.He has held positions with the Indianapolis Police Department and the Indiana University Police Department, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations, the Indiana Department of Insurance and the Wells County Prosecutor?s Office.Major Girod served in the U.S. Army Reserve and the Indiana Guard Reserve.Professor Girod is an adjunct professor and associate faculty member at seven universities. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 293 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (December 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595668119
• ISBN-13: 978-0595668113
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,452,316 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable read, January 4, 2006

By 

U.S. Citizen - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Profiling The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science and Criminal Investigative Analysis (Paperback)

I stumbled across this book while doing research for my graduate degree. I must say that besides presenting the information in a very clean and clear fashion, the author also has a killer sense of humour. I have read hundreds of academic books during my undergraduate and now graduate degree work and I have never laughed while reading an introduction to a textbook before (Dr. Girod fills it with some good jokes and stories and how they relate to the criminology theories).
anyways, a great read highly recommended!

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting reading, December 28, 2008

By 

Zoe (Sydney AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Profiling The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science and Criminal Investigative Analysis (Paperback)

I was recently introduce to watching shows like Criminal Intent, Criminal Minds, Profiler and that lead to my interest on reading up on the human mind...and more specifically the criminal mind.

This book was very through with introducing all aspects involved with criminal profiling and my only disappointment was that there were not more case studies examples to flesh out the theory that was given in the book.

The ability to explain the scientific process of behavioural science and criminal investigative analysis in a straight forward easy to understand manner amazes me. This would give me a deeper appreciation with the interaction of the shows im watching.

Definately recommend to people who are interested with having a basic understanding of the criminal mind and the police investigation process.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but probably not for someone with basic knowledge, January 7, 2010

By 

Protoman07 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Profiling The Criminal Mind: Behavioral Science and Criminal Investigative Analysis (Paperback)

I received this book extremely fast after ordering and was very excited to begin reading it. With my excitement rising, I began to read the preface and slowly my excitement began to fade. I am not an extremely fast reader and have not had a lot of experience with profiling or even psychology/behavioral science for that matter and the text seems to be based on someone having previous knowledge of the subject. After reading many books, there are two main types, written by a "writer" and written by a knowledgeable professional. This book was written by a knowledgeable professional and can be easily seen by the authors word/sentence structure choice as well as his ability to have his writing flow.

That said, the book is very interesting and I have not put it down, but the way it is written makes it difficult for the average reader. It goes through the basics of criminology and profiling allowing the reader to start from the beginning and work their way up to the more advanced material. The book often lists statistics for certain aspects such as type of crime percentage. It keeps your interest and once I start reading, its hard to put it down.

Overall, I would rate the writing/understanding as expressed by the stars, but content wise, the book is great. If you are interested in profiling or behavioral science and have a basic understanding of concepts, this book is for you. It takes a little while to get used to the writing style, but once you get the hang of it, you are not going to want to put it down.