forensic psychology case study example

Five Famous Cases Cracked by Forensic Psychologists

• Published December 1, 2016
• Last Updated May 19, 2021
• Read Time 3 mins

An understanding of the criminal mind is one of the most useful tools in solving crimes, which becomes apparent in these five famous cases cracked by forensic psychologists. Although techniques are becoming more sophisticated every year, forensic psychology has a long and storied history.

1. Ted Bundy

A psychologist could spend a lifetime examining the twisted mind of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most notorious and charismatic killers. Luckily, several forensic psychologists used their expertise to crack this famous case. Over time, Ted Bundy’s brutal attacks and killings became less careful and more frequent. Their psychological profile, which benefited greatly from a former girlfriend’s information, eventually ended the nationwide manhunt for Bundy and even linked him to other unsolved murders.

2. John Wayne Gacy

Although complaints and suspicions from neighbors were ultimately what ended “killer clown” John Wayne Gacy’s shocking killing spree, forensic psychologists ensured that the culprit in this famous case didn’t go free on a bogus insanity plea. Through a series of interviews, psychologists on the case were able to determine that Gacy’s murders involved premeditation and a detailed plan to hide his victims bodies. Without forensic psychologists assistance in this case, traumatized families may have never experienced the satisfaction of seeing Gacy punished for his crimes.

3. Explosions at Radio City Music Hall

An ongoing series of bombings at New York City’s famed Radio City Music Hall is an intriguing case that’s often forgotten these days. This case, which involved more than a dozen explosions between 1940 and 1950, proved so problematic for police that it was one of the inspirations for the development of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Psychologist James Brussel was able to determine that due to the intricacy and knowledge of the explosive devices, the bomber was almost definitely an engineer, most likely at Con Edison. This profile directed the police towards George Metesky. The remarkable accuracy and efficacy of the forensic psychologist’s profile increased the demand for these experts across the nation.

4. Aileen Wuornos

The case of serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who you might know as the inspiration for Charlize Theron’s mesmerizing performance in “Monster,” may have never been solved without a famous use of forensic psychology. Psychologists were able to determine a consistent motivation for Wuorno’s killings–her intense fear of losing her relationship with her long-time partner Tyria Moore. This profile proved to be incredibly accurate when each of Wuornos’s killings was later linked to rocky periods and short-term separations between the lovers.

5. Andrei Chikatilo

Andrei Chikatilo’s reign of terror had Russian police mystified for more than two decades, until it became one of these famous cases cracked by forensic psychologists. To date, Chikatilo has been linked with the murders of 53 Russian women and children. Growing frustrated with the lack of promising leads, Viktor Burakov, the case’s chief investigator decided to employ a new method. He enlisted Dr. Alexander Bukhanovsky’s help in compiling a psychological profile for the killer. This information proved invaluable in narrowing down their list of suspects down to Chikatilo himself, who confessed to his horrific crimes in 1990.

The Ongoing Importance of Forensic Psychology

Although many people probably think of Clarice Starling in the movie “Silence of the Lambs,” when they think of forensic psychology, it’s not just a plot device in a movie. The real-life psychological profiles from these five famous cases that were cracked by forensic psychologists were the difference between letting a case go cold and capturing a criminal.

Top 20 Graduate Degree Programs in Forensic Psychology

Trending now

• Fingerprint Books
• Fingerprint Equipment
• Fingerprint News
• Fingerprint Research
• Fingerprint Videos
• Crime Scene Equipment
• Crime Scene News
• Crime Scene Research
• Crime Scene Videos
• Court Testimony News
• Case Studies

New Powder Suspension Formula for Fingerprint Development on the Adhesive Side of Tape

Are detectives discounting the associative value of fingerprints that fall short of an identification in their investigations.

Karen Franklin, PhD

• Credentials
• Testimonials
• Specialties
• Research & Publications
• Professional trainings
• Peer consultation
• Attorney consultation
• Organizational services
• Ratings and feedback
• Ethics exercise: Compassion and gift-giving

Competency: Real-world exemplars

• Violence against transgender people
• Segregation psychosis
• Multiple-Perpetrator Rape
• Multiple-Perpetrator Rape Ads
• Correctional ethics
• Juvenile justice training resources
• Alcohol Blackouts
• Hebephilia controversy
• Static-99 Timeline
• Home/ Resources Competency: Real-world exemplars

This page compiles publicly accessible materials from cases in which competency was litigated. For training purposes, it’s hard to beat real-life reports and videos, especially from high-profile or otherwise fascinating cases. Here we’ve got everyone from Ted Kaczynski (the Unabomber) and boxer Mike Tyson to Jose Padilla (the “Dirty Bomber” suspect) and Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme, infamous for trying to murder a U.S. president.

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme

Lynnette “Squeaky” Fromme’s competency was evaluated after she sought to represent herself in the 1975 attempted murder of President Gerald Ford. Under the legal standard at the time, one had to be nearly “a babbling idiot” to be found incompetent, in the words of the prosecuting attorney. In May 2014, nearly 40 years later, a 97-minute audiotape was released of her competency examination by psychiatrist James Richmond, who found her competent both to stand trial and to represent herself. Fromme boycotted much of the trial after the judge refused her request to call Charles Manson as a witness. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. She was paroled in 2009 after serving 34 years in prison. My blog post on the case (with additional links) is HERE .

THE COMPETENCY AUDIOTAPE

Ted Kaczynski

THE REPORT (Unredacted Version!)

José Padilla

Competency Report of Patricia Zapf, PhD

Competency Report of Angela Hegarty, MD

Thomas A. Shay

Shay in 2007

Thomas Shay was one of two men convicted in a 1991 bomb explosion that killed one Boston police officer and maimed another. Prosecutors contended that the bomb was intended for Shay’s father. Shay was a troubled 20-year-old from an unstable background when he underwent a competency evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital in Massachusetts. Although he found Shay immature and self-centered, psychologist Paul G. Nestor, Ph.D. did not see any signs or symptoms of a severe mental disorder or cognitive impairment that might render him incompetent. Shay pled guilty and served 10 years, after which he has continued to be in and out of trouble with the law . Co-defendant Alfred W. Trenkler, the subject of a personal crusade by a former lawyer named Morrison Bonpasse who has written a book about the case, remains in prison.

THE COMPETENCY REPORT

THE COMBINED REPORT

Transcript of Dr. Resnick’s Competency Interview

Steven Hayes

PSYCHOSOCIAL EVALUATION REPORT

Scott Panetti

Colin ferguson, ralph tortorici.

PBS Frontline episode: “A Case of Insanity”

Many thanks to Denis, Steve, Frank, Eileen, Christina, Ronna and everyone else who helped with this project. This page was most recently updated in February 2019; please let me know if you find any broken links, and especially if you know of other publicly available competency materials that might be added.

Recent & Upcoming

NPR radio interview Dr. Franklin discusses the career of forensic psychology with job coach Marty Nemko on NPR. Listen online or download the podcast HERE.

Career interview An in-depth interview about Dr. Franklin’s career by psychologist David Webb is online at “All About Forensic Science.” Training feedback Participant evaluations of professional trainings has been updated with attorney feedback from a recent training for the Santa Clara County Superior Court on evaluating juvenile competency.

Book review A review of the first-ever textbook on multiple-perpetrator rape, which includes a chapter by Dr. Franklin, has been published by the European journal Sexologies .

Profiled Dr. Franklin was profiled in a high school forensic science textbook .

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

Forensic psychological assessment in practice: Case studies

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice: Case Studies presents a set of forensic criminal cases as examples of a scientist-practitioner model for forensic psychological assessment. The cases address forensic issues, such as criminal responsibility, violence risk assessment, treatment planning, and referral to long term forensic care. The authors address a variety of mental disorders including psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathy and other personality disorders. The book will be useful for novice and experienced forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who are looking for case studies that integrate recent empirical evidence with psychological test findings.

Related Papers

Nicole Schneider, Ph.D.

Psychological Injury and Law

Dustin Wygant

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

K. Heilbrun , David Dematteo

Forensic Science International: Mind and Law

Law and Human Behavior

Paul Lees-Haley

International Journal of Forensic Mental Health

Stephen D Hart , Ronald Roesch

Rorschachiana Journal of the International Society for the Rorschach

Corine de Ruiter

Annual Review of Law and Social Science

Journal of Personality Assessment

Jacqueline Buffington-vollum

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo)

Erica Hokama

Tiberiu Matei

Bobby Fischer

Christopher Mikton

Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice

Sofia Gudmundsson

Ahesan Kabir

Legal and Criminological Psychology

Gisli Gudjonsson

Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology

Holly Ellingwood , Kaitlyn Wardrop

Randy Borum

Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology

Brazilian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Medical Law and Bioethics

amer hamdan

Forensic, Legal & Investigative Sciences

Omnia El-shenawy

International Journal of Law and Psychiatry

George Woods

Kirk Heilbrun

Criminal Justice and Behavior

Journal of Forensic Psychology Practice

stefan bogaerts

Rom J Leg Med

Professor Cristian Delcea, PhD

Medico-Legal Update

Kreshnik Myftari

Verity Santy

Christer Svennerlind

The Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law

Richard Rosner

Rebecca Mugford

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Breadcrumbs Section. Click here to navigate to respective pages.

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice

DOI link for Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice

Get Citation

Forensic Psychological Assessment in Practice: Case Studies presents a set of forensic criminal cases as examples of a scientist-practitioner model for forensic psychological assessment. The cases involve a number of forensic issues, such as criminal responsibility, violence risk assessment, treatment planning, and referral to long term forensic care. Likewise, different types of offenses are covered, for example, sexual offending, arson, homicide, robbery and domestic violence. The authors address a variety of mental disorders including psychosis, posttraumatic stress disorder, psychopathy and other personality disorders. The book will be useful for novice and experienced forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who are looking for case studies that integrate the most recent empirical evidence with psychological test findings.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 | 18  pages, the forensic-clinical psychologist as expert in criminal court, chapter 2 | 23  pages, domestic estrangement and familicide 1, chapter 3 | 22  pages, neonaticide in a young immigrant woman, chapter 4 | 28  pages, a firesetter in longstay forensic care, chapter 5 | 20  pages, indecent exposure, exhibitionism, and other paraphilias, chapter 6 | 24  pages, filicide or false confession, chapter 7 | 25  pages, domestic violence, chapter 8 | 25  pages, an adolescent violent offender, chapter 9 | 28  pages, threat assessment in homicide/suicide, chapter 10 | 23  pages, mistakes or malpractice, chapter 11 | 29  pages, forensic report writing, chapter 12 | 25  pages, providing effective expert testimony.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Taylor & Francis Online
• Taylor & Francis Group
• Students/Researchers
• Librarians/Institutions

Connect with us

Registered in England & Wales No. 3099067 5 Howick Place | London | SW1P 1WG © 2024 Informa UK Limited

Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology unbound.

ISSN 1948-5115

Case Studies

Section editor:  Laura Kirsch   [email protected]

Kirsch, L. (2010). Introduction to the Journal’s Section Devoted to Case Studies. Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, 2, 377-378.

Mart, E. G., & Connelly, A. W. (2010). An unusual case of epileptic postictal violence: Implications for criminal responsibility. Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, 2, 49-58.

Mart, E. G. (2012). Case study: The assessment of an intestate ward with anomic aphasia to determine testamentary capacity. Open Access Journal of Forensic Psychology, 4, 81-90.

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

NCJRS Virtual Library

Insanity and incompetence - case studies in forensic psychology, additional details.

2035 Reading Road , Cincinnati , OH 45202 , United States

No download available

Availability, related topics.

Forensic Psychology: The Fascinating Study of Profiling and More

Forensic psychology is a captivating field that applies psychological theories, research, and practices to the legal and criminal justice systems. Forensic psychologists use their expertise to assess those involved in legal cases. They may also provide expert testimony, develop criminal profiles, inform decision-making, help those involved to better understand criminal behavior, and offer interventions within legal settings.

In short, forensic psychology bridges the gap between psychology and the legal system.

It addresses questions that traditional psychology alone cannot answer, such as competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and risk assessment.

By applying psychological concepts to legal cases, forensic psychologists assist in delivering justice and promoting public safety.

The role of a forensic psychologist

Forensic psychologists work in various settings, including prisons, mental health facilities, law enforcement agencies, and courtrooms.

Their insights help us to understand motives behind crimes and assess the mental state of those accused of crimes in legal proceedings.

Forensic psychologists may perform some or all of the following activities:

• Study the origins and manifestations of criminal behavior, including personality traits, mental health issues, and environmental influences.
• Conduct psychological assessments of those involved in legal cases, such as suspects, defendants, witnesses, and victims.
• Examine the psychological impact of crime on victims and provide support services to help them cope with trauma.
• Provide expert testimony to help judges and juries understand psychological concepts and behaviors.
• Develop interventions and treatment plans for those with mental health issues or behavioral problems.
• Determine a person’s mental competence to stand trial, make legal decisions, and participate in legal proceedings.
• Consult with law enforcement agencies on criminal investigations and use behavioral analysis and crime scene evidence to develop offender profiles.
• Evaluate the likelihood of re-offending and assist in developing risk management strategies.
• Perform research to inform policy-making and improve the understanding of psychological factors in legal and criminal matters.

Delving into criminal minds

One of the most fascinating aspects of forensic psychology is the study of criminal minds. Forensic psychologists delve into the psyche of perpetrators to understand factors contributing to criminal behaviour. By analysing patterns, motives, and behavioral traits, they offer valuable insights that aid in investigations and profiling.

Their work often involves collaborating with law enforcement agencies to develop profiles of unknown suspects. This helps narrow down potential culprits and predict future offences. Forensic psychologists play a crucial role in court, offering expert testimony that can influence the outcome of trials. The intersection of psychology and law in this field continually advances our understanding of human behaviour and justice.

Challenges and rewards of forensic psychology

Working in forensic psychology presents unique challenges and rewards.  Professionals in this field often deal with emotionally intense situations, high-stakes legal cases, and complex psychological issues.

But the opportunity to make a difference in the criminal justice system and contribute to solving crimes makes it a rewarding career path for those passionate about psychology and law.

Ethical considerations in Forensic Psychology

Ethics plays an especially key role in the realm of forensic psychology, where professionals navigate a complex landscape of moral dilemmas and responsibilities.

As with any field that deals with complex and sensitive issues, forensic psychologists must maintain objectivity, confidentiality, and integrity in their work, while prioritizing the well-being and rights of the people they assess and treat.

Professionals in this domain must carefully uphold ethical principles to ensure fairness, respect, and the welfare of all involved.

Some of the issues they must consider include the following:

• Forensic psychologists must maintain objectivity and impartiality. They need to be mindful of potential biases and conflicts of interest that could compromise their professional judgment or the fairness of legal proceedings.
• Forensic psychologists work with people from diverse backgrounds, including different cultures, languages, religions, and socioeconomic statuses. They must show respect for cultural differences, adequately consider cultural factors in their assessments, and be aware of potential biases.
• Forensic psychologists must balance the need for confidentiality with their ethical obligation to assist the legal system. They strive to protect the privacy and confidentiality of each person within the bounds of legal requirements. Obtaining informed consent is vital to ensure that individuals understand the purpose, risks, and benefits of assessments and interventions.
• Forensic psychologists often navigate dual roles and multiple relationships, such as evaluator, therapist, consultant, and expert witness. This can create conflicts of interest and raise ethical concerns regarding objectivity and professional boundaries. Balancing these roles can be challenging.

Ethical considerations in assessments and testimony

Forensic psychologists are often called upon to conduct assessments and provide expert testimony in legal proceedings.  It is essential for them to conduct thorough and unbiased evaluations, accurately interpret assessment results, and communicate findings in a clear and objective manner.

Upholding ethical standards is not just a requirement but a cornerstone of ensuring the trust and credibility of forensic psychology as a discipline. This commitment to ethics helps maintain public confidence in the legal system and the psychological assessments used within it. Forensic psychologists must navigate complex ethical dilemmas, balancing their professional responsibilities with the need to protect individual rights. Their ability to remain impartial and objective is critical in delivering justice and contributing to fair legal outcomes.

The fascinating field of forensic psychology

Forensic psychology offers a fascinating lens through which to explore the intersection of psychology and human behaviour within the legal context.  From unravelling criminal minds to providing expert testimony, forensic psychologists play a critical role in the justice system. Their work sheds light on the complexities of human behavior and helps to ensure fair and just outcomes in legal proceedings.

As the field continues to evolve and expand, contributions of forensic psychologists become more and more essential to guide comprehension of human behavior in legal contexts.

Joan Senio  is the founder of  KindCompassCoach , a personal growth and development website for women.

Related Articles

Founder of uk’s leading care software provider says uk care system needs more than vote-winning promises, reactionism, ressentiment, and collective narcissism drive grievance politics, reveals new study, how elections affect mental health, crowd and context matter for populist politicians like farage, says aston university psychologist, study says globalisation reshapes family traditions through culture, technology, and economy, study reveals spike in ptsd, depression, and anxiety among israelis after 7th october attack, younger, hispanic, educated us veterans face higher unsheltered homelessness, skin whitening practices are on the rise despite known health risks, reveals new study, new study reveals path to brand forgiveness amid cancel culture firestorms, social market foundation criticises labour’s manifesto for lack of detail, new study reveals why people underestimate polling effects, expert reveals common scams and how to spot them, divorce laws in the philippines harm mental health, according to new study, lack of trust in politics main reason people won’t vote in next uk general election, according to latest yougov poll, depression affects 18.5% of pregnant refugees on the thai-myanmar border, reveals new study, “leaking” often signals islamic terrorist attacks in advance, finds new study, rape victim crying increases guilty verdicts according to new study, study reveals public coordination during london knife attack, study uncovers link between socioeconomic status and youth political participation, voter biases influence perceptions of candidate electability across ideology, race, and gender, finding meaning in life’s complexities brings clarity and purpose, indonesian students favour secularism over islamism, according to new study, celebrating 15 years of newham’s eat for free scheme, religious group narcissism drives ambivalent sexism.

Psychreg is a digital media company and not a clinical company. Our content does not constitute a medical or psychological consultation. See a certified medical or mental health professional for diagnosis.

• Privacy Policy

© Copyright 2014–2034 Psychreg Ltd

• PSYCHREG JOURNAL
• MEET OUR WRITERS
• MEET THE TEAM

• Find My Rep

You are here

Sage online ordering services are currently unavailable due to network disruption. We are working to restore service as soon as possible. In the meantime, our books are still available widely via retailers and online. Currently we are only able to supply digital inspection copies. These can be requested via this site, or direct from Vitalsource and Kortext . If you need a print copy, please contact your local Academic Sales Consultant, who will be able to arrange to send this once our systems are back online.

I f you need further assistance please visit our Contact us page for further information.  Thank you for your patience and we apologise for the inconvenience.

Key Cases in Forensic and Criminological Psychology

• R. Stephen Walsh - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
• Description

Preview this book

For instructors, select a purchasing option.

• Electronic Order Options VitalSource Amazon Kindle Google Play eBooks.com Kobo

Related Products

1st Edition

Case Studies in Forensic Psychology Clinical Assessment and Treatment

• Taylor & Francis eBooks (Institutional Purchase) Opens in new tab or window

Description

Case Studies in Forensic Psychology offers the reader a unique insight into the often-hidden world of psychological assessment and intervention with people who have committed serious crimes. The book contains a breadth of forensic case studies, and each chapter details the real forensic work that psychologists do in their clinical practice in prison, psychiatric, and community settings. Assessment and therapeutic approaches used in each case study are discussed, as well as the state of the literature in each area (e.g. sexual violence risk assessment, schema therapy). Each chapter will take the reader through a variety of offender profiles, their personal background, any relevant psychiatric or psychological diagnoses, and assessments and/or treatment completed. Case studies offer valuable insight into the clinical practice and day-to-day role of a forensic psychologist, demonstrating the work undertaken that empirical research does not offer. Uniquely, Case Studies in Forensic Psychology brings together treatment models and forensic research, demonstrating how theory translates into practice and considering whether it is effective at an individual level. It is ideal for students of forensic psychology and forensic mental health, as well as practitioners at any stage of their career in this rapidly expanding field.

Table of Contents

Dr. Ruth J. Tully is a Forensic Psychologist in the UK. She is a Registered Practitioner Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS). Dr. Jennifer Bamford is a Health & Care Professionals Council (HCPC) Registered and British Psychological Society (BPS) Chartered Forensic Psychologist in the UK.

Critics' Reviews

"This innovative text for professionals and students in the field of forensic psychology provides readers with a rare, in-depth view of the context and background to assessments and interventions used in clinical practice. I highly recommend these engaging case studies for those who wish to see how to apply peer-reviewed research in practice."- Jay P. Singh, PhD, Visiting Scholar, Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, UK "This book very helpfully explores the work and role of forensic psychologists in a variety of settings using a series of case-studies. Adopting this approach enables the reader to gain a deeper understanding of how forensic psychologists assess and formulate treatment options when assisting young people, those with personality or neurodevelopment disorders, learning disabilities or sexual deviancies. Organisational considerations are usefully factored into each chapter." - Professor Michael Brookes OBE, Professor of Forensic Psychology, Chartered and Registered Forensic Psychologist, UK "This book provides key insights into the variety of work undertaken by forensic psychologists. The case studies provided are interesting to read and clearly presented. This book is a great read for those developing their assessment and formulation skills in forensic psychology." - Professor Theresa A. Gannon, Director of CORE-FP, University of Kent and Consultant Forensic Psychologist, Forensic Care Group, KMPT, UK

About VitalSource eBooks

VitalSource is a leading provider of eBooks.

• Access your materials anywhere, at anytime.
• Customer preferences like text size, font type, page color and more.
• Take annotations in line as you read.

Multiple eBook Copies

This eBook is already in your shopping cart. If you would like to replace it with a different purchasing option please remove the current eBook option from your cart.

Book Preview

The country you have selected will result in the following:

• Product pricing will be adjusted to match the corresponding currency.
• The title Perception will be removed from your cart because it is not available in this region.

• Forensic Psychology
• Contemporary perspectives in forensic practice from Practice Innovations January 16, 2024
• A step toward culturally informed forensic mental health assessments: Improving justice and equity for legal-system-involved people from Law and Human Behavior September 26, 2023
• Just how powerful is false confession evidence? from Law and Human Behavior February 8, 2023
• After having a few alcoholic beverages, are you able to comprehend your Miranda rights? from Law and Human Behavior September 13 2022
• Cognitive biases can affect experts’ judgments: A broad descriptive model and systematic review in one domain from Law and Human Behavior May 4, 2022
• What helps immigrants deal with deportation proceedings? from Law and Human Behavior August 26, 2021
• Does COVID-19 affect the fairness of the plea process for defendants? from Law and Human Behavior May 3, 2021
• Get out of jail free? Achieving racial equity in pretrial reform from Law and Human Behavior February 5, 2021
• Is this apartment still available? Maybe not for exonerees from Law and Human Behavior August 17, 2020
• Should Seeing Be Believing? Evidence-Based Recommendations by Psychologists May Reduce Mistaken Eyewitness Identifications from Law and Human Behavior January 27, 2020
• How Should We Decide Whom to Imprison? The Use of Risk Assessment Instruments in Sentencing Decisions from Law and Human Behavior October 23, 2019
• Are Two Heads Better Than One? The Effects of Interviewer Familiarity and Supportiveness on Children’s Testimony In Repeated Interviews from Law and Human Behavior October 9, 2019
• Connecting the Dots: Identifying Suspected Serial Sexual Offenders Through Forensic DNA Evidence from Psychology of Violence September 18, 2019
• Drawing Legal Age Boundaries: A Tale of Two Maturities from Law and Human Behavior July 3, 2019
• Does Video Recording Interrogations Inhibit Crime Suspects? Answers From a Fully Randomized Field Experiment from Law and Human Behavior May 1, 2019
• The Kids are Alright (Mostly): An Empirical Examination of Title IX Knowledge in Institutions of Higher Education from Psychology of Violence August 9, 2018
• Who Deserves Civil Rights? Many Say Suspected Terrorists Do Not from Law and Human Behavior May 11, 2018
• Special Issue on the Field Utility of Forensic Assessment Instruments and Procedures from Psychological Assessment June 13, 2017
• Campus Threat Management from Journal of Threat Assessment and Management May 5, 2017
• The Perfect Match: Criminal Stereotypes Bias Forensic Fingerprint Analysis from Law and Human Behavior October 19, 2016
• Do Juvenile Murderers Deserve Life Without Parole? from Psychology, Public Policy, and Law August 23, 2016
• The DNA Evidence May Not Save You: When False Confessions Trump Exculpatory DNA from Psychology, Public Policy, and Law June 14, 2016
• Evaluators, Not Just Those They Evaluate, Influence Personality Test Results from Law and Human Behavior December 2, 2015

View more journals in the Forensic Psychology subject area.

APA Journals Article Spotlight ®

APA Journals Article Spotlight is a free summary of recently published articles in an APA Journal .

Browse Article Spotlight topics

• Basic/Experimental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Core of Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology, School Psychology, and Training
• Health Psychology and Medicine
• Industrial/Organizational Psychology and Management
• Neuroscience and Cognition
• Social Psychology and Social Processes

Contact APA Publications

Eyewitness Memory and Language: The Case of JFK

How eyewitness reports can go spectacularly wrong..

Posted July 1, 2024 | Reviewed by Ray Parker

• Eyewitness memory, by definition, is visual, but eyewitness information must ultimately be conveyed verbally.
• This image-to-language transition creates a significant chance for error and misinterpretation.
• An important example of this effect is the case of President John F. Kennedy.

By definition, eyewitness memory is visual. We see something happening at a crime scene, and we report it.

Yet a major potential for error turns up in that space between the image and the report .

Many visual details are lost relatively quickly from any given memory, resulting in our reporting only the brief gist of whatever we saw. For nearly a century, it has been known that even our personal beliefs can alter our memories (Bartlett, 1932; see Sharps, 2022).

These types of memory alteration, in the direction of gist, loss of detail, and personal belief, would be bad enough. Still, an additional problem arises because we must report our eyewitness's memories verbally.

A picture is supposedly worth a thousand words, but it's possible that those thousand words can result in a wildly inaccurate description of a given picture. One of the best historical examples of this may derive from one of the most infamous historical crimes in America, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

President Kennedy was shot by Lee Harvey Oswald from the sixth floor of the Texas schoolbook depository in Dallas. One of the bullets that struck the President passed through his body and struck Texas Governor John Connally, who was sitting “in front” of the president in the presidential limousine. This bullet passed through the governor’s body, ultimately penetrating his leg.

Now, this so-called “magic bullet” has become infamous. In movies and books, we hear repeatedly about the fact that this bullet would have had to move laterally in its course, after traversing the president’s body, to have resulted in the wounds seen on the governor. Such a lateral course is impossible; bullets do not suddenly pause in their flight, move one way or another, and then continue in a new direction. The flight of this so-called “magic” bullet has fueled numerous controversies and conspiracy theories.

Yet this entire controversy can be resolved immediately when we consider that eyewitness visual memories and images must ultimately be described in language.

Governor Connally was seated “in front” of President Kennedy in the limousine. If he were seated directly in front of the president, the course of the magic bullet would have been physically impossible.

However, the governor was seated in a jump seat in front and to the left of Kennedy’s position in the limousine.

Now, we can truthfully report, verbally, that the governor was in front of the president; however, unless we modify that statement with a mention that Connally’s position was offset to the left of Kennedy’s, we may get the impression that the governor was seated directly in front of the president, resulting in the impossibility of the perceived course of the magic bullet.

In laboratory exercises, we have replicated this effect using a laser sight mounted on a stand and a couple of volunteers sitting in chairs, their backs to the stand (obviously using all necessary safety precautions). If one of the volunteers sat directly in front of the other, the course of the “magic bullet,” as simulated by the laser sight, resulted in a complete impossibility; the volunteer representing Governor Connally could not have been wounded by that bullet in the manner that occurred.

However, when we moved the Governor Connally volunteer to a position “in front of” but to the left of the President Kennedy volunteer, exactly as the real victims were seated in the limousine, we replicated precisely the course of the “magic bullet,” with no magic about it at all. The straight-line course traversed the “president's” body and the “governor's” body as occurred in the real assassination and “struck” the governor's left leg, as marked by the final laser position, exactly as it did in the real-world crime scene.

Popular media notwithstanding, the simple fact is that there is no mystery here. The entire controversy lies in transitioning from the visual reality to the verbal report . The term “in front” seems to imply geometric positioning that requires impossible lateral bullet movement to the left. The visual reality gives us the actual geometry of the situation, with no magic required, as the real bullet ultimately lodged in Governor Connally's leg in his actual position on the jump seat.

There are still many unresolved questions concerning this historically important assassination, of course, but the path of the “magic bullet” isn’t one of them. Rather, this infamous case illustrates an important principle of the interpretation of eyewitness memory. Eyewitnesses report the images, in their minds, that derive from their experiences at crime scenes; however, the transition from image to language can create inaccuracies. In this case, examination of an accurate diagram of the situation completely removes the mystery inadvertently created by the term “in front of,” which in isolation may imply a completely impossible geometry and which, in turn, may give rise to inaccurate and unnecessary theorizing.

In eyewitness reports, the visual becomes the linguistic, as visual memories become verbal reports. However, this transition is perilous, as details are lost or misinterpreted. Wise investigators will, therefore, use every resource available to build the requisite pictures of crime situations, from the evaluation of relevant physical realities to the use of eyewitness verbal summaries. This frequently constitutes a challenge and additional expense in any investigation, but it is essential to build an objective picture of any crime.

Bartlett, F.C. 1932. Remembering: A Study in Experimental and Social Psychology. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

Sharps, M.J. 2022. Processing Under Pressure: Stress, Memory, and Decision-Making in Law Enforcement (3rd ed.). Flushing, NY: Looseleaf Law.

Matthew Sharps, Ph.D., professor of psychology at California State University, Fresno. He researches forensic cognitive science among other related areas.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Self Tests NEW
• Therapy Center
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Information

• Author Services

Initiatives

You are accessing a machine-readable page. In order to be human-readable, please install an RSS reader.

All articles published by MDPI are made immediately available worldwide under an open access license. No special permission is required to reuse all or part of the article published by MDPI, including figures and tables. For articles published under an open access Creative Common CC BY license, any part of the article may be reused without permission provided that the original article is clearly cited. For more information, please refer to https://www.mdpi.com/openaccess .

Feature papers represent the most advanced research with significant potential for high impact in the field. A Feature Paper should be a substantial original Article that involves several techniques or approaches, provides an outlook for future research directions and describes possible research applications.

Feature papers are submitted upon individual invitation or recommendation by the scientific editors and must receive positive feedback from the reviewers.

Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.

Original Submission Date Received: .

• Active Journals
• Find a Journal
• Proceedings Series
• For Authors
• For Reviewers
• For Editors
• For Librarians
• For Publishers
• For Societies
• For Conference Organizers
• Open Access Policy
• Institutional Open Access Program
• Special Issues Guidelines
• Editorial Process
• Research and Publication Ethics
• Article Processing Charges
• Testimonials
• Preprints.org
• SciProfiles
• Encyclopedia

Article Menu

• Subscribe SciFeed
• Recommended Articles
• Google Scholar
• on Google Scholar
• Table of Contents

Find support for a specific problem in the support section of our website.

Please let us know what you think of our products and services.

Visit our dedicated information section to learn more about MDPI.

JSmol Viewer

Differences in impact force between side kicks and turning kicks in male practitioners of taekwon-do—case studies.

1. Introduction

2. materials and methods, 2.1. participants, 2.2. equipment, 2.3. protocol, 2.4. data processing and data analysis, 2.5. statistical analysis, 4. discussion, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, data availability statement, acknowledgments, conflicts of interest.

• Boyanmis, A.H.; Akin, M. Effectiveness of plyometric or blood flow restriction training on technical kick force in taekwondo. Balt. J. Health Phys. Act. 2021 , 14 , 5. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Mroczkowski, A. Factors putting the head at the risk of injury during backwards falls. Ido Mov. Cult. 2021 , 21 , 19–27. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Moreira, P.V.S.; Falco, C.; Menegaldo, L.L.; Goethel, M.F.; de Paula, L.V.; Gonçalves, M. Are isokinetic leg torques and kick velocity reliable predictors of competitive level in taekwondo athletes? PLoS ONE 2021 , 16 , e0235582. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Estevan, I.; Álvarez, O.; Falco, C.; Molina-García, J.; Castillo, I. Impact force and time analysis influenced by execution distance in a roundhouse kick to the head in Taekwondo. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2011 , 25 , 2851–2856. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• O’Sullivan, D.; Chung, C.; Lee, K.; Kim, E.; Kang, S.; Kim, T.; Shin, I. Measurement and comparison of taekwondo and yongmudo turning kick impact force for two target heights. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2009 , 8 , 13–16. [ Google Scholar ] [ PubMed ]
• Falco, C.; Alvarez, O.; Castillo, I.; Estevan, I.; Martos, J.; Mugarra, F.; Iradi, A. Influence of the distance in a roundhouse kick’s execution time and impact force in Taekwondo. J. Biomech. 2009 , 42 , 242–248. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Kiss, R.M. Comparison between kinematic and ground reaction force techniques for determining gait events during treadmill walking at different walking speeds. Med. Eng. Phys. 2010 , 32 , 662–667. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Zeni, J.A.; Richards, J.G.; Higginson, J.S. Two simple methods for determining gait events during treadmill and overground walking using kinematic data. Gait Posture 2008 , 27 , 710–714. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Yoo, S.; Park, S.-K.; Yoon, S.; Lim, H.S.; Ryu, J. Comparison of Proprioceptive Training and Muscular Strength Training to Improve Balance Ability of Taekwondo Poomsae Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trials. J. Sports Sci. Med. 2018 , 17 , 445–454. [ Google Scholar ]
• Góra, T.; Mosler, D.; Ortenburger, D.; Wąsik, J. Sex differences in utilizing effective mass among taekwon-do athletes performing turning and side kick. Phys. Act. Rev. 2024 , 12 , 70–77. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Choi, H.H. Taekwon-Do: The Korean Art of Self-Defence ; International Taekwon-do Federation: Auckland, New Zealand, 1995; Volume 15. [ Google Scholar ]
• Bujak, Z. Wybrane Aspekty Treningu Taekwon-Do ; AWF Warszawa, ZWWF Biała Podlaska: Warszawa, Poland, 2004; ISBN 83-909395-9-2. [ Google Scholar ]
• Hölbling, D.; Preuschl, E.; Hassmann, M.; Baca, A. Kinematic analysis of the double side kick in pointfighting, kickboxing. J. Sports Sci. 2017 , 35 , 317–324. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Pieter, F.; Pieter, W. Speed and force in selected taekwondo techniques. Biol. Sport 1995 , 12 , 257–266. [ Google Scholar ]
• Wąsik, J.; Mosler, D.; Góra, T.; Scurek, R. Conception of effective mass and effect of force—Measurement of taekwon-do master. Phys. Act. Rev. 2023 , 11 , 11–16. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Gavagan, C.J.; Sayers, M.G.L. A biomechanical analysis of the roundhouse kicking technique of expert practitioners: A comparison between the martial arts disciplines of Muay Thai, Karate, and Taekwondo. PLoS ONE 2017 , 12 , e0182645. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Li, Y.; Yan, F.; Zeng, Y.; Wang, G. Biomechanical Analysis on Roundhouse Kick in Taekwondo ; The China Institute of Sport Science: Beijing, China, 2005; Volume 23. [ Google Scholar ]
• Zech, A.; Hollander, K.; Junge, A.; Steib, S.; Groll, A.; Heiner, J.; Nowak, F.; Pfeiffer, D.; Rahlf, A.L. Sex differences in injury rates in team-sport athletes: A systematic review and meta-regression analysis. J. Sport Health Sci. 2022 , 11 , 104–114. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Pryor, J.L.; Burbulys, E.R.; Root, H.J.; Pryor, R.R. Movement Technique During Jump-Landing Differs between Sex among Athletic Playing Surfaces. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2022 , 36 , 661–666. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ] [ PubMed ]
• Deliu, R.; Stoica, M.; Băițel, I. Laterality assessment in martial artists through kinematic analysis of striking techniques. Discobolul-Phys. Educ. Sport Kinetotherapy J. 2022 , 61 , 291–306. [ Google Scholar ]
• Górski, M.; Orysiak, J. Differences between anthropometric indicators and the impact force of taekwondo kicks performed with the dominant and non-dominant limb. Biomed. Hum. Kinet. 2019 , 11 , 193–197. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Hopkins, W.G.; Marshall, S.W.; Batterham, A.M.; Hanin, J. Progressive Statistics for Studies in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc. 2009 , 41 , 3–12. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Faul, F.; Erdfelder, E.; Lang, A.-G.; Buchner, A. G*Power 3: A flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav. Res. Methods 2007 , 39 , 175–191. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Amen, D. Making a Good Brain Great: The Amen Clinic Program for Achieving and Sustaining Optimal Mental Performance ; Harmony Books: New York, NY, USA, 2005. [ Google Scholar ]
• Tortu, E.; Deliceoglu, G. Comparison of energy system contributions in lower body Wingate tests between sexes. Phys. Act. Rev. 2024 , 12 , 13–21. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Martin-Sanchez, M.L.; Oliva-Lozano, J.M.; Garcia-Unanue, J.; Felipe, J.L.; Moreno-Pérez, V.; Gallardo, L.; Sánchez-Sánchez, J. Physical demands in Spanish male and female elite football referees during the competition: A prospective observational study. Sci. Med. Footb. 2022 , 6 , 566–571. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Bailey, C.A.; Sato, K.; Burnett, A.; Stone, M.H. Force-Production Asymmetry in Male and Female Athletes of Differing Strength Levels. Int. J. Sports Physiol. Perform. 2015 , 10 , 504–508. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]
• Pradas, F.; Toro-Román, V.; de la Torre, A.; Moreno-Azze, A.; Gutiérrez-Betancur, J.; Ortega-Zayas, M. Analysis of Specific Physical Fitness in High-Level Table Tennis Players—Sex Differences. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022 , 19 , 5119. [ Google Scholar ] [ CrossRef ]

Click here to enlarge figure

Share and Cite

Góra, T.; Mosler, D.; Langfort, J.; Wąsik, J. Differences in Impact Force between Side Kicks and Turning Kicks in Male Practitioners of Taekwon-Do—Case Studies. Appl. Sci. 2024 , 14 , 5876. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135876

Góra T, Mosler D, Langfort J, Wąsik J. Differences in Impact Force between Side Kicks and Turning Kicks in Male Practitioners of Taekwon-Do—Case Studies. Applied Sciences . 2024; 14(13):5876. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135876

Góra, Tomasz, Dariusz Mosler, Józef Langfort, and Jacek Wąsik. 2024. "Differences in Impact Force between Side Kicks and Turning Kicks in Male Practitioners of Taekwon-Do—Case Studies" Applied Sciences 14, no. 13: 5876. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135876

Article Metrics

Article access statistics, further information, mdpi initiatives, follow mdpi.

Subscribe to receive issue release notifications and newsletters from MDPI journals