The Mad, the Bad, and the Innocent: The Criminal Mind on Trial - Tales of a Forensic Psychologist

by Barbara R. Kirwin

The New York area's premier forensic psychologist--the expert prosecutors turn to when a defendant claims insanity--looks back over her most celebrated cases to deliver a no-holds-barred critique of recent insanity defense abuses. Zeroing in on cases such as the Menendez brothers and Jeffrey Dahmer, Kirwin shows how unscrupulous defense attorneys and overzealous prosecutors have perverted the true purpose of the insanity defense. of photos.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, Psychology, Science, Crime, Mental Health

320 pages, Hardcover

First published August 11, 1997

Reviews

[Cindy Minnich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of the views of and implications of mental illness in the legal system. She goes through cases she's been called to work on. In doing so, she gives a great explanation of the "insanity defense" and where it works and does not. Fascinating read whether you're interested in crime, criminal law, or psychology.

[Arielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this one. Got to about page 200 and couldn't bear to go on. Although at times interesting, Kirwin often drags on and on.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clearly differentiates between criminals as to whether they are evil, innocent or insane. Very interesting book for anyone who is interested in the criminal mind.

[Denver Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in-depth look at the criminal mind! Truly fascinating, well, composed and packed full of truly educational material. I found this authors manifesto at the end to be so like-minded with myself and others that I know. Heavily ladened with truly fascinating case work, and ad hoc warning though there are many triggers throughout this book.

[Mario Cerqueira]

A good eye opener into the world of mental health. Where it's going I don't know.

[Sharon]

I had hoped this would be more intresting, but I lost intrest, which is a pity, as this is a topic that normally would intrest me.

Found it contained quite a bit of legalize, and I just did not like the way she told her story.

I admit I did not finish this book, maybe it would have got better, but I just was not intrested enough to find out.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read with a lot of interesting case examples. Read this one to find out what you never knew about Joel Rifkin. I have to say I'm very sorry to hear a clinical psychologist descend into brackish, superstitious terminology like "evil" when she describes a clearly-diagnosable case of Asperger's. Otherwise it was well-written and usually well-thought-out.

[Tara Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love reading clinical work from the field, I tend to find that most of these first personal clinical narratives are over-hyped to provide a good story. I'd really appreciate some unbiased narratives with an objective presentation of the facts, but this book doesn't deliver.

[Vanessa]

Bored me.

[Armineh Noravian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. A must read.