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Book Review: ‘Psychology and Law: Truthfulness, Accuracy and Credibility’

1998 saw the publication of this thoughtprovoking and up-to-date volume by three of the most respected researchers in the psychology law field. Its appearance should generally be welcomed as it adds considerably to the literature on legal and forensic psychology. It will be of interest to psychologists and legal scholars and may also appeal to others working within the criminal justice system. Having said that, some of the chapters may prove slightly difficult for non-psychologists to digest on first reading. On first acquaintance it is not obvious whether this is an edited work, or a jointly authored book. Although three names appear on the cover (as though they are co-authors), each chapter appears to be written individually. This confusion is enhanced further when one reads that chapters one and three are co-written by two other people whose names are not on the cover, and of whom we learn little! The contents page looks promising, although it suggests that chapter nine contains an introduction and references but nothing else! The book is divided into two sections, part one dealing with 'Perceived credibility' and part two with 'Accuracy'. This division makes sense given the contents of the various chapters. Chapter one deals with 'Statement validity assessment' and considers whether it is possible to differentiate between statements derived from memory and those based on fabrication. The authors conclude that although considerable progress has been made in this field, caution should be exercised before conclusions are presented in court. Chapter two is entitled 'Nonverbal communication and credibility' and offers an excellent overview of the relationship between non-verbal behaviour and deception. This chapter will be of great interest to anyone who believes that they are being lied to in their personal or professional life! Aldert Vrij makes the valid point, however, that many people, including trained detectives, are often not very good at identifying when a person is lying. The guidelines provided at the end of the chapter are particularly valuable and should (hopefully) discourage readers from being overconfident as to their lie-detecting abilities. Chapter three deals with 'Facial appearance and criminality' and addresses many of the myths and stereotypes which surround this topic. The chapter deals (predictably) with the supposed link between appearance and offending. In addition, it considers the effect of facial appearance on jury decision making, and also the effects of facial surgery on recidivism rates. The reader who turns to the chapter's conclusion may, however, be slightly disappointed. Rather than offer a considered view, the chapter ends by inviting the reader to decide for him/herselfwhether 'Heroes are handsome and villains are ugly'.