Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of psychology to the investigation of cold cases. The paper reviews the development of the discipline of operational psychology and reviews the role of the Behavioural Science Unit in assisting with cold case investigations within New...
Main Authors: | , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-01-01
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Series: | Forensic Science International: Synergy |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X2200078X |
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author | Nathan Brooks Shreena Natasha Hira |
author_facet | Nathan Brooks Shreena Natasha Hira |
author_sort | Nathan Brooks |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of psychology to the investigation of cold cases. The paper reviews the development of the discipline of operational psychology and reviews the role of the Behavioural Science Unit in assisting with cold case investigations within New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: The paper integrates theory, academic principles, and practical investigative experience. Findings: As a field, operational psychology has a wide application to cold case investigations. The main areas where expertise can be provided, includes, indirect assessment and personality profiles, offender profiling, crime analysis, victimology and equivocal death analysis, and in the interviewing and engagement of offenders. Operational psychology advice should be based upon sound reasoning, evidenced based conclusion, and within the bounds of practitioner competence. Psychologists should seek to educate investigators on probabilities, likelihoods and error rates, and endeavour to indicate the strength of conclusions and statements provided within a report. Originality/value: The review aims to provide the necessary and relevant impetus for integrating operational, or forensic psychology expertise into cold case investigations. The application of psychological science to police investigations has been subject to numerous academic commentaries, however, there is a dearth of involvement from practitioners practicing in the field. |
first_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:28:30Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-15b397f985234f82a0e5ed38f78d8b6f |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2589-871X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-04-12T02:28:30Z |
publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
publisher | Elsevier |
record_format | Article |
series | Forensic Science International: Synergy |
spelling | doaj.art-15b397f985234f82a0e5ed38f78d8b6f2022-12-22T03:51:53ZengElsevierForensic Science International: Synergy2589-871X2022-01-015100293Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New ZealandNathan Brooks0Shreena Natasha Hira1Corresponding author.; Behavioural Science Unit, New Zealand Police, Auckland, New ZealandBehavioural Science Unit, New Zealand Police, Auckland, New ZealandPurpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the application of psychology to the investigation of cold cases. The paper reviews the development of the discipline of operational psychology and reviews the role of the Behavioural Science Unit in assisting with cold case investigations within New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach: The paper integrates theory, academic principles, and practical investigative experience. Findings: As a field, operational psychology has a wide application to cold case investigations. The main areas where expertise can be provided, includes, indirect assessment and personality profiles, offender profiling, crime analysis, victimology and equivocal death analysis, and in the interviewing and engagement of offenders. Operational psychology advice should be based upon sound reasoning, evidenced based conclusion, and within the bounds of practitioner competence. Psychologists should seek to educate investigators on probabilities, likelihoods and error rates, and endeavour to indicate the strength of conclusions and statements provided within a report. Originality/value: The review aims to provide the necessary and relevant impetus for integrating operational, or forensic psychology expertise into cold case investigations. The application of psychological science to police investigations has been subject to numerous academic commentaries, however, there is a dearth of involvement from practitioners practicing in the field.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X2200078XCold casePsychologyCrime analysisPersonalityOffender profilingPolicing |
spellingShingle | Nathan Brooks Shreena Natasha Hira Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand Forensic Science International: Synergy Cold case Psychology Crime analysis Personality Offender profiling Policing |
title | Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand |
title_full | Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand |
title_fullStr | Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand |
title_full_unstemmed | Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand |
title_short | Operational psychology and cold case investigations in New Zealand |
title_sort | operational psychology and cold case investigations in new zealand |
topic | Cold case Psychology Crime analysis Personality Offender profiling Policing |
url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X2200078X |
work_keys_str_mv | AT nathanbrooks operationalpsychologyandcoldcaseinvestigationsinnewzealand AT shreenanatashahira operationalpsychologyandcoldcaseinvestigationsinnewzealand |