This is a great 101 overview of the field of criminal profiling. As a true crime writer, it something I found to be very engaging and informative, withouth being too dense or inaccessible.

4 stars

Criminal Profiling is a nonfiction book covering a wide range of topics involving the development, use and real cases application of psychological profiling. This was a fascinating read. The writing was great in the way that is engrossing, very informative without being info dumping. It mentioned how certain technicles came about, there uses and how they were used in real cases. The cases that were used as examples in the book really pulled me in, to look at how some of these individuals' minds work, while everything is not 100 percent accurate it is impressive what these individuals have accomplished. It has history, science, and is very informative. I recommend this book if you're interested in any of those topics listed, please check this book out.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Through a series of real-life case studies, Innes and Doncaster delve into the fascinating field of psychological profiling, shedding light on how analysis of behavioural patterns and personality traits can aid in identification and apprehension of criminals. Obviously this is best suitable for true crime enthusiasts or students of criminology, but it's also cool for anyone curious about the inner workings of law enforcement.

I love Criminal Minds, and read this while doing a rewatch of the series... which gave me a better understanding of just how clever the show is.
Throughout the book, the history and base for Profiling are clearly laid out as well as some of those lesser known Criminal cases that it has been used for. It was excellent to learn about other cases rather than just having those same infamous few regurgitated.
The book is well-written, informative, and clear... one for anybody interested in true crime and the workings of the Criminal mind!

This was an interesting read . Showing the history mixed with real life examples. Could have done with a bit more detail in places as sometimes casestudies were summarised to illustrate a point. This felt that it was aimed at both academics and everyday people with a interest. There was good balance although a lot of case studies used were wellnown.
This was a pleasure to read. Good short chapters which flowed together.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author.

An interesting book and worth a read. It wasn't too overwhelming with detail and was nicely interspersed with real life crime examples. I felt the ending was a little abrupt, perhaps needed a summarising conclusion.

An interesting read !
The book explains the different aspects of criminal profiling in an easy to understand way and is peppered with case histories which help to reinforce the key elements of criminology and profiling.
The writing style is concise and kept my interest throughout the case studies both infamous and less so helped to see the theory put into practice .
A great read for anyone interested in true crime or who may want to look further in to the criminological field , a great place to start .
Thanks to NetGalley and Amber Books Ltd.

This is an interesting and well-organized book that takes you through the history of violent crime and how methods have evolved to catch the perpetrators. It seems people haven't changed that much but we know so much more about what they do and how to understand them. This is also an interesting book as far as learning about significant crimes in history, and I definitely want to learn more about some of them.
With lots of illustrations, this book details how profilers organize their process when looking for an unknown perpetrator. It also shows how they use their skills to get the perps to tell them what they need to know. This isn't very long, but there is a ton of information here. thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

“Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiling Helps Solve True Crimes” delves into the intriguing world of criminal profiling, exploring the age-old questions: Are criminals born or shaped by their circumstances? Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster present a comprehensive history of this captivating subject, from early physical profiling to cutting-edge computer-generated geographic mapping techniques.

This book weaves together intriguing case studies, featuring notorious figures like Ted Bundy, Peter Sutcliffe, and Andrei Chikatilo. Their stories showcase the variety, sophistication, and effectiveness of criminal profiling.

Explore the quest to identify patterns and traits that define criminal behavior. What drives someone to commit heinous acts?

From intuitive approaches to behavioral evidence analysis, the book covers modern theories that shed light on criminal minds.

Discover how technology has revolutionized crime-solving, using computer-generated maps to pinpoint offenders’ likely locations.

With 200 color and black-and-white photographs, the book brings the subject to life, making it accessible and engaging.

Whether you’re a true crime enthusiast or simply curious about the human psyche, “Criminal Profiling” offers a thought-provoking exploration. 🕵️‍♂️🔍

Really enjoyed this book

i have read other books with a similar theme, this one is more about the history and the evolution of criminal profiling and less about teaching you any insight or ways to learn yourself

i would consider it an entry-level book on the subject so if you've never read anything else on the subject this would be a great book for you to start with, it is well written and the books pacing is enough that you never feel like its dragging at all

the authors have done a great job with this book allowing people a window into the world of criminal profiling

i thank the authors and publisher for allowing me to read and review the book

Informative but predominantly American this will be a good read for those developing an interest in this subject.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

It's a fascinating and well researched book about the story of profiling. I learned a lot and I found it entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Reviewed in honour of a 2024 e-book version, this is the 2022 hardback (with just as many typos and printing errors, unfortunately) – which itself was a complete rejig of an earlier book by the late Brian Innes. It's a compelling book – dipping into many interesting true crime cases, both commonly spoken of and the less heard about, but always keeping a foot in the science side of things. Here is the history (it is more or less fully chronological) of scientific profiling both sides of the Atlantic, and the search for the psychology of the mass murderer. From the basics of Freud up, we see people try and work on the mentality of serial killers, so they can be understood, tracked more easily and caught more quickly – and potentially, although it's not looking likely any time soon, stopped before they've started.

The spread of success stories is quite remarkable, from first to last, when the researchers even knew what sized dog the perp had. But the whole thing can frustrate – as it briefly says, almost as an apology, nobody can really know how many failures there have been, how many embarrassments didn't hit the autobiography shelves, how much has not been reported. This can barely be a critical review of it all, for it very much is on the side of packing the pages out with the birth of this body, the development of that idea, the switch to that computer system… Still, this does not glorify the killer, or revel in the bloodshed, like some true crime books, and it leaves us with a calmer, more knowledgeable hope that these people are always going to be on the losing side. Highly pictorial, it's dealing with it all with an eye to the populist audience, and pretty much succeeding with its intentions throughout.

Criminal Minds is easily the best fictional series which showcases the FBI's use of behavioural analysis to apprehend criminals and solve crimes.

The path to understanding the criminal mind and why it is violent crimes occur has always attracted the common man.

The XYY chromosome and "supermale" study, although subsequently found to be wrong, is definitely fascinating. I love the thermograph image of the chromosomes.

The information for each segment is short and easy to digest.

•"Six Steps To Arrest" followed by a brief overview of the system used by a select few countries.
•The case studies and profiles of criminals throughout history.
•David Canter's behavioural characteristics of a rapist "map"
•Geographic profiling
•Serial killer categories
•Handwriting experts
•Erik Erikson's 8 life stages of interpersonal crises

First of all I want to thank to Netgalley and the publisher for opportunity to review this book.

Criminal profiling is something I got interested during watching show called Criminal minds. It intrigued me that there is someone who can kinda tell based on murder and where the murder took place what kind of person could done it. I would say this book is a good starter when you want to dive into this topic. You'll learn history of criminal profiling, procedures during murder investigations and how they changed during time and so much more.

Overall I enjoyed it and learnt a lot, and I appreciated, it's written with engaging style and the photos inside help illustrated chapters and add something more to it.

A fascinating topic made super accessible to the lay reader by an author who has taken time to present the material with care and consideration. If you love to read about true crime with a focus on understanding both motives and how perpetrators are captured, this is a must read.

This book is perfect for those who love TV shows like “Mindhunter”and “Criminal Minds”. True crime fans, this one is perfect for you too. Criminal Profiling is filled with the history and lawman academics of profiling, and it is complete with images!

Thank you, NetGalley and Amber Books, for an advanced copy.

As a federal criminal defense attorney myself (and someone who grew up watching and loving Criminal Minds), I find criminal psychology and profiling incredibly fascinating! It was neat to learn about the history and how it was utilized in some of the most infamous cases.

Super sad I couldn’t download this copy to my kindle though! It was pretty annoying to have to read through the NetGalley app on my tiny phone screen which led to me skimming more than in depth, slower reading as I would given a more accessible format.

Thank you for the opportunity to read!

Criminal Profiling: How Psychological Profiling Helps Solve True Crimes by Brian Innes; Lucy Doncaster
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 15 June 2024

"Criminal Profiling" proved to be a captivating and enlightening read. What stood out to me was its comprehensive exploration of the field's evolution, spanning from its nascent stages to contemporary practices. The book adeptly weaves together historical insights with detailed case studies, offering a vivid portrayal of how criminal profiling has developed over time. By interweaving real-life cases such as those involving Ted Bundy, Peter Sutcliffe, and Andrei Chikatilo, the author not only illustrates theoretical concepts but also provides a human dimension to the subject matter.

The presentation of the book was particularly commendable. It struck a balance between scholarly depth and accessibility, making complex ideas understandable without sacrificing academic rigour. The inclusion of 200 photographs was instrumental in enriching the narrative, providing visual cues that complemented and enhanced the text. This blend of textual and visual elements not only engaged the reader but also facilitated a deeper understanding of the discussed methodologies and their practical applications.

Moreover, the book's approachability extends its appeal beyond academia. While it caters to dedicated students of psychology by delving into theoretical frameworks and empirical studies, it also caters to general readers who have a keen interest in the workings of the criminal mind and the techniques used to analyse it. The accessible writing style and the judicious use of illustrations ensure that the book does not feel overly dense or inaccessible, thereby inviting a broader readership.

In conclusion, "Criminal Profiling" earns high praise for its informative content, engaging narrative style, and thoughtful presentation. It succeeds in bridging the gap between academic rigour and popular appeal, making it a valuable addition to both scholarly libraries and personal reading lists alike.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Amber Books Ltd | Amber Books, and the authors, Brian Innes and Lucy Doncaster, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

If you watch "Criminal Minds", you are familiar with the concept of criminal profiling. This book not only covers profiling, but also the history and those who changed the guidelines to what it is today. You will go into a deep-dive of famous crimes and lesser-known crimes and how their profiles matched the perpetrators. I had a hard time putting this book down, it was very informational and intriguing! I can definitely say that I know so much more and I look forward to future publications from these authors!