Murder, Mayhem, and Madness

Murder, Mayhem, and Madness: A Psychological Anthropology Perspective on Forensic and Criminal Investigation highlights the influence of culture and historical context on criminal behaviors, forensic science, and crime scene investigation.

This textbook is interdisciplinary and examines the shared foundations between psychology and anthropology with narratives from Dr. Moses and articles by other scholars in their respective fields. Topics include historical attitudes toward violence in literature and imagery, the celebration of public torture and execution until the early-20th century, changing attitudes about human remains, and the conundrum of nature versus nurture in cases where children commit violent homicides. Readers learn about various techniques for locating and identifying offenders and human remains, how the presence or absence of interpersonal relationships are factors and how popular culture, identity, and gender influences public perceptions of violence and power.

Created to reveal the complexity of human nature involved in the development of forensic and criminal investigation, Murder, Mayhem, and Madness is an ideal resource for courses and programs in psychological anthropology, criminal justice, criminology, and forensic sciences.