This book presents the most up to date view of conflict and crisis communication, and its clear practical application from experts in the field. It will be of interest to law enforcement agencies both nationally and internationally, as well as a range of professionals working in forensic settings. It will also be of interest to postgraduate students studying in forensic psychology and forensic mental health.

Carol A. Ireland is a chartered psychologist, forensic psychologist and chartered scientist. She works for Mersey Care NHS Trust, where she is lead for sex offender therapies and crisis (hostage) negotiation, and acts as an advisor in crisis/conflict situations. She is also Director of Studies for the MSc in Forensic Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, and Vice-Chair of the British Psychological Societies Division of Forensic Psychology.

Martin J. Fisher is a Forensic Psychologist, chartered psychologist and chartered scientist. Until June 2009 he was the Area Psychologist for South Central area of NOMS, with responsibility for specialist services including drugs strategy, safer custody, mental and physical health service provision. He is now a Consultant Forensic Psychologist in the NOMS HR Directorate and an Honorary Forensic Psychologist in the NHS, as well being a visiting lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. He has been an HMPS Negotiation Advisor since the early 1990s.

Gregory M. Vecchi is the unit chief of the Behavioral Science Unit (BSU), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Dr. Vecchi conducts research, training, and consultation activities in behavior-based conflict analysis and resolution, crisis management, crisis communication, and global hostage-taking. He has conducted extensive research and is published in the areas of conflict and crisis management and communication and he teaches, trains, and consults executive law enforcement officers on the topic.

1. Conflict and Crisis Negotiation: The Negotiated Resolution Model2. Negotiation: Principles and Theoretical Underpinnings 3. Crisis Situations: Communications, Goals, and Techniques4. Application of the Critical Incident to Mental Illness and Cognitive Impairment: Considerations and Implications 5. Application of the Critical Incident to Personality Disorder: Considerations and Implications 6. Ethical Considerations in a Conflict and Crisis Situation7. Expertise of the Negotiator in Conflict and Crisis Communication 8. When the Management of the Critical Incident Goes Wrong: Pitfalls and Suggested Approaches9. Post Critical Incident: Considerations 10. Held Against their Choice: Behaviour, Considerations and Implications for the Captive