SHRUNK: Crime and Disorders of the Mind is a collection of powerful chapters by eminent Canadian and international forensic psychologists and psychiatrists who write about mental health issues they face and what they are doing about it. Unlike any other book within the genre of True Crime, SHRUNK is the first book that delves deeply into the disturbed human psyche to help build a solution to the problem of understanding mental illness within the criminal justice system.We asked our forensics experts to tell stories about cases that still haunt them. Among the stories in the book are: Dr. Joel Watts on Luka Magnotta; Dr. J. Thomas Dalby on serial killer Clifford Olson; Dr. Jeffrey Waldman on Vince Li and the Greyhound Bus tragedy; Mr. Justice Richard D. Schneider on a typical day in Mental Health Court; Dr. Sven Å. Christenson on a Swedish case of psychopathic personality and media manipulation; Dr. Jack White on the most notorious Australian serial killing of all time; Dr. Louise Olivier on a case of dissociative fugue in South Africa; Dr. Donald Dutton on an American case of mind-control and folie à deux; Dr. Stephen Porter and Tianna Dilley on brain damage and extreme amnesia; Dr. Barry Cooper and Jacqueline Kanipayur on malingering; Dr. Marc Nesca on catathymic murder and necrophilia; Dr. Patrick Baillie on David Milgaard’s wrongful conviction; Dr. Lawrence Ellerby on deviance to rehabilitation; and Dr. David Dawson finds moments of warmth and shared humanity with psychiatric patients. Criminal defence lawyer William Trudell writes about working with forensic experts and their contributions in the defence of those suffering from mental disorders. Partial proceeds of the book go to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada. Reviews: "The headlines are lurid. The trials sensational. The crimes beyond horrific. A passenger beheaded and cannibalized on a bus. A student dismembered and sexually defiled. Children snatched, sexually assaulted and murdered. Sex workers stalked and killed.... In "Shrunk: Crime and Disorders of the Mind," forensic psychiatrists and psychologists write about trying to fathom what drove an accused to commit unfathomable acts of violence and, if possible, explain it to the rest of us." Colin Perkel, Canadian Press "This highly readable and fascinating book provides unique and personal insights into all-too-real instances in which unbridled mental disorder resulted in tragedy and loss, and wreaked havoc in the lives of perpetrators, victims, and their families. The book provides a glimpse into the often-hidden, troubled, and dark side of human behaviour. The compelling accounts of crimes committed by mentally ill offenders are told by experienced and highly respected psychologists and psychiatrists on the front-lines of the highest-profile mental disorder cases. Shrunk’s authentic portrayal of what mental illness is really like, and what it can do to people, sets it apart from any other book of crime stories." - Dr. Hy Bloom, LLB, MD, FRCPC Consultant in Forensic Psychiatry "The workings of the criminally disordered minds has always been a fascinating subject for experts and lay persons alike. What causes someone such as Clifford Olsen to become probably the most evil serial murderer in Canadian history? How do trials play out for these individuals? Does our prison system simply throw away the key after they are incarcerated or is it worthwhile to attempt to rehabilitate such persons? Canadian and international psychiatrists and psychologists answer interestingly such questions in SHRUNK, through their writings of true cases." - Earl Levy QC Barrister "Scholarly inquiries into discrimination in Canadian society tend to concentrate on race and ethnicity, with occasional reference to physical disability. This traditionally narrow focus eclipses the legacy of systemic discrimination experienced by persons with mental disabilities, particularly those accused of a crime. Skewed public perceptions and social prejudices about mentally ill offenders have resulted. In turn, justice for such offenders is at risk. The practical experiences of the contributors to Shrunk: Crime and Disorders of the Mind, told in an easy-to-read format, go a long distance to correct those perceptions and mitigate those prejudices, particularly for the average citizen. This book should be on everyone's "must read" list." - John Rosen, Barrister “Experiencing an enduring mental illness is a profound personal struggle that I would not wish on anyone! Shrunk: Crime and Disorders of the Mind promotes awareness, knowledge, and understanding of the complexities in diagnosing, treating, and supporting the recovery of those living with a mental illness who come in conflict with the justice system. Shrunk contains true and painful stories of lives tormented by mental illness and criminalization, their victims, and the families who suffer alongside them. And yet, this volume offers the hope that therapeutic jurisprudence works and that recovery is possible in living beyond the limitations of mental illness with meaning and purpose. But it takes the support of a caring community. A caring community that is informed and knowledgeable. Shrunk takes the reader behind the scenes of disordered minds, disabling mental health systems, and despairing families and victims by dispelling myths and misunderstandings. For many this will be a distressful and uncomfortable read, but for every reader an illuminating and elucidating one.” Chris Summerville CEO, Schizophrenia Society of Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba “The psychological and psychiatric forensic experts I encountered over decades of criminal law practice, both as Crown prosecutor and defence counsel, whether consulted by myself or by opposing counsel, were invariably highly qualified, experienced, principled and objective. Shrunk: Crime and Disorders of the Mind describes the diligence and commitment of these forensic experts who intervene before and at trial on the issue of fitness to stand trial, possibly providing evidence that the accused is not criminally responsible. It was gratifying to work in many cases with such exemplary professionalism.” C.D. Evans QC, Barrister, Calgary, Alberta About the Editors: Lorene Shyba, MFA PhD Lorene has worked in publishing for over three decades with expertise in writing and editing, print and web design, and video production. Her PhD dissertation won the H.B. Hyne Award for Innovation in Research from the University of Calgary, and she is affiliated as a research adjunct with the School of Creative and Performing Arts. J. Thomas Dalby PhD, R. Psych, ABN has been a forensic psychologist for thirty-eight years and has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology since 1984. He is a Professor (Adjunct) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary and was also a member of the Faculty of Medicine at this university for twenty-six years. He has held a continuous appointment with Athabasca University since 1977. He was formerly administrative head of psychology departments at two Calgary hospitals. Dr. Dalby is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association, and in 2013 received the highest honour for professional psychologists in Canada—CPA award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Profession. He also is a recipient of the Dick Pettifor Memorial Award for exceptional career achievements from the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta. He has published over a hundred professional books, chapters and articles in medical, psychological and legal forums. He has conducted over fourteen-thousand forensic evaluations and provided courtroom testimony on over nine hundred occasions. His clients have included the National Hockey League, the United Nations, and police services, insurance companies, and law firms across North America. |