Rating: 
Summary: A must-read for anyone interested in profiling.
Review: A must-read for anyone interested in the world of profiling. It covers a broad range of material including profiling in general, crime scene analysis and profiling of serial murder, arson, rape, pedophilia and victims. It has a good chapter on geographic analyses and predatory criminals. While not a research publication itself, almost all material presented is linked by citation to a publication in its References section. It has a fair-to-good index. In my reading, this book is referenced by more publications on profiling and on serial killers than any other book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good intro, but that's it
Review: Gives a broad overview of profiling, no specifics.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put This Book Down
Review: I am a college student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Criminal Justice. This book was used as a supplement for a Criminology course I took in the spring of 2004 and I have to say it is one of the best texts I have read for any of my classes. While it can be used as a text book it can also stand alone. I learned so much from this one book and would suggest reading it if you are interest in criminology.
Rating: 
Summary: did we read the same book
Review: I am in serious disagreement with all other reviewers of this book. This is not serious research but a rehash of some well known facts and many fallacious stereotypes. It panders to naive voyeur types, and I find it appalling that this book serves as a text to teach students and a reference for law enforcement professionals. What legitimate, scholarly purpose is served, for example, by reprinting the entire autopsy report of poor, little
JonBenet Ramsey?
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I intitially had my doubts when I bought this book a few years ago....but I must say it has been very handy when researching cases...it gives an intriguing insite of the "whys?" we sometimes ask ourselves for conclusion profilers make. Although I am a strong beleiver that profiling is not a science, it does give some interesting patterns that you will see repeat themselves throught some crime cases. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: I intitially had my doubts when I bought this book a few years ago....but I must say it has been very handy when researching cases...it gives an intriguing insite of the "whys?" we sometimes ask ourselves for conclusion profilers make. Although I am a strong beleiver that profiling is not a science, it does give some interesting patterns that you will see repeat themselves throught some crime cases. Highly Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Must buy it!!
Review: If you are looking for really gory stories and lots of blood and perversion. This is not your book. If you have an genuine interest in crime analysis (or criminal profiling) on the other hand, this book is very much something you want to own and read many times. In a very easy to understand way the authors explains the art of profiling, how it's done, how to use a profile and how it shouldn't be used. This book also shows examples of less than perfect profiles, plus it shines a new, critical light, on the FBI behavioral science unit and some of it's profilers. Very interesting!
Rating:
Summary: Good intro, but that's it
Review: Sex crimes and profiling violet crimes, and he knows his stuff! These books were books we read for these classes and they are definately full of information and presented in a way as not to scare off the reader. If you ever get a chance to meet or take a lecture with Dr. Holmes I highly recommend you do! The next best thing is his books that are very informative for those in the forensics or law enforcement field.
Rating:
Summary: I've taken 2 classes w/ Dr. Holmes @ the Univ. of Louisville
Review: Sex crimes and profiling violet crimes, and he knows his stuff! These books were books we read for these classes and they are definately full of information and presented in a way as not to scare off the reader. If you ever get a chance to meet or take a lecture with Dr. Holmes I highly recommend you do! The next best thing is his books that are very informative for those in the forensics or law enforcement field.
Rating:
Summary: Great Overview!
Review: The author's writing style keeps the book lively for a text book. The examples are interesting and well chosen. However, only the most common types of violent offenders are discussed and those discussions lack depth. Most topics are addressed only superficially. Therefore, I recommend this book as a nice overview but not for research or other purposes.
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