Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 21: 295–296 (2011) DOI: 10.1002/cbm Book review Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health 21: 295–296 (2011) Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/cbm.778 Handbook of Forensic Mental Health Edited by Keith Soothill, Paul Rogers and Mairead Doland. Willan Publishing, Culmcott House, Mill Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, UK, 2008, 627 pp. Paperback, ISBN 978-1843922612, £34.99. We are increasingly living in a world where information is sought and delivered by electronic means. The Internet has revolutionised how we read about our subjects at the expense of reading text books that often date very quickly. This book, however, is excellent and deserves to be read by anybody who is engaged in a serious way with the practice of forensic psychiatry. It has been superbly edited to offer a breadth of knowledge of the subject and a vision of its practice. More than this, the book is coherent as a whole, but each chapter can be read on its own with a comprehensive list of references and pragmatic sugges- tions for further reading. The chapters are written by a combination of well known academics and leaders in forensic mental health, and I am pleased to see multidisciplinary con- tributions, which only make the appeal of this book so much greater. There are some individual chapters that are quite exceptional, and I only highlight the following, although there are many others. There is a rattling good read by David Foreshaw on the historical development of forensic mental health. Philip Fennel provides an excellent account of legal aspects. Sue Bailey and Bill Kerslake on juveniles and young persons is an essential read, and Pamela Taylor and John Gunn have produced an erudite chapter on the relevance of diagnosis and for- mulation in forensic mental health. There are many other highlights to this book, which truly can claim to be comprehensive. Although it was written shortly prior to the introduction of the changes to the Mental Health Act 1983, many of the issues have been predicted and incorporated. This book is highly recommended, and I would suggest that it is valuable to all professions involved in forensic mental health and any interested observer. It should be mandatory for forensic psychiatry specialist trainees. Finally, this book reminds us that forensic mental health has emerged as a specialty in its own right, that there is an accumulating body of research and

Handbook of forensic mental health. Edited by Keith Soothill, Paul Rogers and Mairead Doland. Willan Publishing, Culmcott House, Mill Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, UK, 2008,

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Page 1: Handbook of forensic mental health. Edited by Keith Soothill, Paul Rogers and Mairead Doland. Willan Publishing, Culmcott House, Mill Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, UK, 2008,

Book review

Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health21: 295–296 (2011)Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com) DOI: 10.1002/cbm.778

Handbook of Forensic Mental Health

Edited by Keith Soothill, Paul Rogers and Mairead Doland. Willan Publishing, Culmcott House, Mill Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, UK, 2008, 627 pp. Paperback, ISBN 978-1843922612, £34.99.

We are increasingly living in a world where information is sought and delivered by electronic means. The Internet has revolutionised how we read about our subjects at the expense of reading text books that often date very quickly.

This book, however, is excellent and deserves to be read by anybody who is engaged in a serious way with the practice of forensic psychiatry. It has been superbly edited to offer a breadth of knowledge of the subject and a vision of its practice. More than this, the book is coherent as a whole, but each chapter can be read on its own with a comprehensive list of references and pragmatic sugges-tions for further reading.

The chapters are written by a combination of well known academics and leaders in forensic mental health, and I am pleased to see multidisciplinary con-tributions, which only make the appeal of this book so much greater. There are some individual chapters that are quite exceptional, and I only highlight the following, although there are many others. There is a rattling good read by David Foreshaw on the historical development of forensic mental health. Philip Fennel provides an excellent account of legal aspects. Sue Bailey and Bill Kerslake on juveniles and young persons is an essential read, and Pamela Taylor and John Gunn have produced an erudite chapter on the relevance of diagnosis and for-mulation in forensic mental health.

There are many other highlights to this book, which truly can claim to be comprehensive. Although it was written shortly prior to the introduction of the changes to the Mental Health Act 1983, many of the issues have been predicted and incorporated.

This book is highly recommended, and I would suggest that it is valuable to all professions involved in forensic mental health and any interested observer. It should be mandatory for forensic psychiatry specialist trainees.

Finally, this book reminds us that forensic mental health has emerged as a specialty in its own right, that there is an accumulating body of research and

Page 2: Handbook of forensic mental health. Edited by Keith Soothill, Paul Rogers and Mairead Doland. Willan Publishing, Culmcott House, Mill Street, Uffculme, Cullompton, Devon, UK, 2008,

Book review

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that as professionals, we are beginning the process of understanding what might make a difference to our patients’ lives and to managing risks that they may present. It is clear from this book that research has been a vital component of this achievement and that much more is needed. Yet, there is a notable critique by the editors that should make us all sit up and take note that there is the starvation of funds for academic and research in forensic mental health. I echo the authors’ concerns. Inevitably, it will be research and not just physical and legislative structures that will ultimately make a difference to patients and society in general.

John KentNewton Lodge, Ouchthorpe Lane, Wakefi eld, WF1 3SP, UK