Institute of Criminal Justice Studies

Profile

Expertise

• Defensible decision-making and tackling risk aversion.
• Collating, presenting and defending evidence to and in courts and other tribunals.
• Provides workshops without the University, on (a) developing skills of professionals who give evidence (particularly expert evidence), in courts or other tribunals and (b) on defensible decision-making where professionals must advise on or make risk decisions which affect others as clients or customers, so as to reduce liability for poor decision-making. See here for more information

Current research

• Towards theories and practical interventions relating to: ‘Investigations: Fact-finding, evidence and proof.
• The quality of risk decision-making, currently focussing upon the nature and cause of, and responsibility for acting upon ‘systemic’ causes of poor risk taking.

Publications 
Books

• Carson, D. and Bain, A.J. (2008). Professional Risk and Working with People: Decision-Making in Health, Social Care and Criminal Justice. London: Jessica Kingsley Publications.
• Carson, D. 1990, Professionals and the Courts: A Handbook for Expert Witnesses, Birmingham: Venture Press (69 pp).
• Carson, D. and Montgomery, J, 1989, Nursing and the Law, Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Edited books

• Carson, D, Milne, R, Pakes, F, Shalev, K and Shawyer, A. (eds.). (2007). Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice. Chichester: Wiley. (314 pages)
• Carson, D. and Bull, R, 2003 (2nd ed), Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Chichester: Wiley (675 pages). 
•  Bull, R. and Carson, D, (eds), 1995, Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Chichester: Wiley. (675 pp).
• Carson, D, (ed) 1990, Risk-taking in Mental Disorder: Analyses, Policies and Practical Strategies, Chichester: SLE Publications. (69 pp).

Peer-review journal articles

• Carson, D. (2011). Investigative psychology and law: Towards collaboration by focusing on evidence and inferential reasoning. Journal of Investigative Psychology and Offender Prof ling. 8 (1): 74–89.
• Carson, D. (2010).  Suing detectives. The Police Journal, 83 (1): 11-28.
• Carson, D. (2009). Detecting, developing and disseminating detectives’ ‘creative’ skills. Policing & Society, 19(3): 216-225.  
• Carson, D. (2009). The abduction of Sherlock Holmes, International journal of Police Science & Management, 11(2): 193-202. 
• Carson, D, 2003, Therapeutic jurisprudence and adversarial injustice: Questioning questions, Western Criminology Review, 4(2): 34-43 (2003).
• Carson, D, 1999, From status to contract: A future for mental health law? Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 17(5): 645-660.
• Carson, D. 1997, Good enough risk taking, International Review of Psychiatry, 9: 303-308.
• Carson, D. and Tomkins, A, 1997, Special perspectives: The need for and the role of comparative and cross-cultural perspectives in the behavioural-science-and-law scholarship, Behavioural Science & the Law, 15(3): 321-328.
• Tomkins, A, and Carson, D, (eds), 1997, Introduction to international perspectives, Behavioral Science & the Law, 15(3): 229-231.
• Carson, D, 1996, Developing models of risk to aid cooperation between law and psychiatry, (editorial) Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 6: 6-10.
• Carson, D, 1995, Therapeutic jurisprudence for the United Kingdom? Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 6(3): 463-467. 
• Carson, D, 1995, Regulating the examination of children, Expert Evidence, 4(1): 2-9.
• Carson, D, 1994, Dangerous people: Through a broader conception of  'risk' and 'danger' to better decisions, Expert Evidence, 3(2): 51-69.
• Carson, D, 1993, Disabling progress: The Law Commission's proposals on mentally incapacitated adults' decision-making, Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 304- 320. 
• Carson, D, 1992 Holding the patient to account at the gate keeping stage, Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health, 2(2): 224.
• Carson, D, 1990, Reporting to court: A role in preventing decision error, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 151-163.
• Carsop, D. 1989, Prosecuting people with mental handicaps, Criminal Law Review, 97-94
• Carson, D, 1989, The sexuality of people with learning difficulties, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 355- 372.
• Carson, D, 1988, Evidence of emotional abuse, (editorial introduction), Journal of Social Welfare Law, 77-78.
• Carson, D, 1988, Risk taking policies, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 328-332. 
• Carson, D, 1985, Registering homes: Another fine mess? Journal of Social Welfare Law, 67-84.
• Carson, D, 1984, Developing courtroom skills, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 29-38.
• Carson, D, 1983, Mental processes, The Mental health Act 1983, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 195-211.
• Carson, D, 1980, The new supplementary benefits regulations: Description, Journal of Social Welfare Law, 343-356.

Book chapters

• Carson, D. and Carson, T, (2010). Public protection: Perpetrators, , predictions, prevention and performance. In M. Nash and A. Williams, Handbook of Public Protection. Cullumpton (Devon): Willan.
• Carson, D, Milne, R, Pakes, P, Shalev, K. and Shawyer, A, (2007). Psychology and law: A science to be applied. In D. Carson, R. Milne, F. Pakes, K. Shalev and A. Shawyer, (eds). Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 1-19)
• Carson, D, (2007). A psychology and law of fact-finding. In D. Carson, R. Milne, F. Pakes, K. Shalev and A. Shawyer, (eds) Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 115-130)
• Carson, D, (2007). Processes: Proving guilt, disproving innocence. In D. Carson, R. Milne, F. Pakes, K. Shalev and A. Shawyer, (eds) Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 233-250)
• Carson, D. (2007). Identifying liability for organisational errors. In D.Carson, R. Milne, F. Pakes, K. Shalev and A. Shawyer, (eds) Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 283-297)
• Carson, D, Milne, R, Pakes, P, Shalev K. and Shawyer, A, (2007). Applying key civil law concepts. In D. Carson, R. Milne, F. Pakes, K.Shalev and A. Shawyer, (eds) Applying Psychology to Criminal Justice, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 299-310).
• Carson, D. (2007). Investigating investigations: Models of investigation. In T. Newburn, T. Williamson and A. Wright, (eds). Handbook of Criminal Investigation. Cullompton: Willan. (pp. 407-425)
• Carson, D, 2003, Psychology and law: A sub-discipline, an inter-disciplinary collaboration or a project? (in) D. Carson and R. Bull (eds), Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Chichester: Wiley (pp. 1-27).
• Carson, D, 2003, Risk: The need for and benefits of an interdisciplinary perspective, (in) D. Carson and R. Bull (eds), Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Chichester: Wiley (pp. 143-169).
• Carson, D. and Pakes, F, 2003, Advocacy: Getting the answers you want, (in) D. Carson and R. Bull (eds), Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Chichester: Wiley (pp. 347-366). 
• Carson, D, 2000, 'The legal context: Obstacle or opportunity' (in) J. McGuire, T. Mason and A. O'Kane (eds) Behaviour, Crime and Legal Processes: A Guide for Forensic Practitioners, Chichester: Wiley. pp. 19-37.
• Carson, D. and Heginbotham, C, 2000, Therapeutic jurisprudence and psychopathy: A philosophical exploration, (in) C. Heginbotham (ed) Philosophy, Psychiatry and Psychopathy: Personal Identity in Mental Disorder, Aldershot (UK): Ashgate. pp. 131-146.
• Mohan, D, Carson, D. and Taylor, P, 1999, Legal aspects of mental health nursing, (in) R. Newell and K. Gournay (eds), Mental Health Nursing: An Evidence-based Approach, Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. (pp. 49-71).
• Carson, D. 1998, Reducing the riskiness of risk assessment, (in) R.K. Dent (ed.), Dangerous Care: Working to Protect Children, London: Bridge Child Care Development Service, pp. 90-102.
• Carson, D. and Clare, I, 1997, Boundaries with the Criminal justice and other legal systems, (in) There Are No Easy Answers, J. Churchill, H. Brown, A. Craft, C. Horrocks, (eds.), ARC & NAPSAC, pp.53-68.
• Clare, I, and Carson, D,1997, Practice: Wise and defensible decisions, (in) There Are No Easy Answers, J. Churchill, H. Brown, A. Craft, C. Horrocks, (eds.), ARC & NAPSAC, pp.69-88.
• Carson, D, 1997, A risk management approach to legal decision-making about 'dangerous' people, (in) Law and Uncertainty: Risks and Legal Processes, (ed) Baldwin, R, London: Kluwer Law International, pp. 255-269.
• Carson, D. and Wexler, D, 1996, New approaches to mental health law: Will the UK follow the US lead, again? (in) Law in a Therapeutic Key, Wexler, D. and Winick, B, (eds), Durham (N. Carolina): Carolina Academic Press, (pp. 633 - 643).
• Carson, D, 1996, Therapeutic jurisprudence: An alternative approach to issues affecting the Criminal Justice system, (in) Does Punishment Work? McGuire, J. and Rowson, B, London: ISTD (pp. 72-76).
• Carson, D, 1996, 'Structural problems, perspectives and solutions' (in) , J. Peay (ed), Inquiries after Homicide, London: Duckworth, pp. 120-146.
• Carson, D, 1996, 'From risk assessment to risk management' (in) Managing Risk: Achieving the Possible, J. Braggins & C. Martin (eds), London: ISTD, pp. 75-79.
• Carson, D, 1995, Risking legal repercussions, (in) Kemshall, H. and Pritchard, J. (eds), Good Practice in Risk Assessment and Risk Management, London: Jessica Kingsley. (pp. 3-12). 
• Carson, D. and Bull, R, 1995, Psychology in legal contexts: Idealism and realism, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 3-11.).
• Carson, D. and Bull, R, 1995, Psychology and law: Future directions, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 645-650).
• Carson, D, 1995, Law's premises, methods and values, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 29-40).
• Carson, D, 1995, Individualism: Its importance in law and psychology, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 43-53).
• Carson, D, 1995, Criminal responsibility, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 277-289).
• Carson, D, 1995, Civil proceedings: Legal framework's for psychology's contributions (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 395-409).
• Carson, D, 1995, Public law decisions, (in) Handbook of Psychology in Legal Contexts, Bull, R. and Carson, D, Chichester: Wiley, (pp 613-624). 
• Carson, D, 1994, The law's contribution to protecting people with learning disabilities from physical or sexual abuse, (in) J. Harris and A. Craft, (eds), People with learning disabilities at risk of physical or sexual abuse, Kidderminster: BILD. (pp 133-143).
• Carson, D, 1992, Beyond the ultimate issue, (in) F. Loesel, D. Bender and T. Bliesener, (eds), Psychology and law: International perspectives, Berlin: De Gruyter. 
• Carson, D, 1990, Risk-taking in mental disorder, (in) D. Carson (ed) Risk-taking in Mental Disorder: Analyses, Policies and Practical Strategies, Chichester: SLE Publications. (pp 1-12). 
• Carson, D, 1990, From risk policies to risk strategies, (in) D. Carson (ed), Risk-taking in Mental Disorder: Analyses, Policies and Practical Strategies, Chichester: SLE Publications. (pp 59-69). 
• Carson, D, 1984, Putting the expert in expert witness, (in) D.J. Muller, D.E. Blackman and A.J. Chapman, Chichester: Wiley. (pp. 425-434).

Professional journals (recent and selected)

• Carson, D. (2010). Charting evidence and demonstrating proof. Police Professional, March 18, pp. 18-22.
• Carson, D. and Clift, S. (2010), Positive risk-taking in policing. Police Professional, January 28, pp. 16-19.
• Carson, D. (2010), House and Holmes. Police Professional, January 7, pp. 16-20. 
• Carson, D. (2009), Bearing true witness: Developing your evidence-giving skills. Police Professional, November 19, pp. 21-24.

Editorial 
Current:

• 2001-to present. Consulting editor, Legal and Criminological Psychology. (British Psychological Society)
• 1991-present. Member, Editorial Board, Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health (Whurr).

Former:

• 1999-2003. International editor, Behavioral Sciences & the Law. (Wiley).
• 1999-2002. Member, Editorial Board, Health, Risk and Society (Carfax). 
• 1992-2000. Founding co-editor, Expert Evidence. (1992 - 1997, SLE Publications; 1998 - 2000, Kluwer.) 
• 1985-1990. Legal Correspondent, Health Service Journal. 
• C. 1979-c.1984. Recent legislation editor, Encyclopaedia of Social Security Law. (Sweet & Maxwell.) 
• 1978-1988. Recent legislation editor, Journal of Social Welfare Law (now Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law.)

Other Academic products

• Carson, D. 2007, Improving Essays, DVD based video and Word examples/exercises.
• Carson, D. 2007. Invited plenary speaker annual conference of Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Lorne, Victoria, 2007.
• Carson, D. 1999, Evidence to the Scoping Review of the Mental Health Act 1983.
• Carson, D, 1998, Student-led Tutorials, Teaching Media Department, Southampton University. (Video programme.) 
• Carson, D, (with Bull, R.) Expert Testimony: Developing Witness Skills, Leicester: BPS. (Script for video-based training programme.)
• Carson, D, (1982-1990) Health Service Journal, 13 articles, 35 pages of 'News Focus' and 58 pages of 'Legal Notes.' 

Other, external, appointments
Current:

• Carson, D. 2006-Current. Official referee: European Science Foundation (reappointed three times).

Former

• Plenary speaker, annual 2007 conference of Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, Melbourne.
• Invited plenary speaker, 1992, official opening of the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Criminality and Law Enforcement.
• Member of the Board of Visitors of Winchester Prison.
• Member of Hampshire Area Health Authority (Teaching).
• Member of Winchester District Health Authority. Chair Acute Services Special Interest Group.
• Ex officio committee member, European Association of Psychology and Law.

Conference organisation (one day unless otherwise specified)

• The second international conference on 'Investigative Interviewing,' at the University of Portsmouth, July 5th - 7th, 2006.
• Psychology and Law. Second joint conference supported by the American Psychology - Law Society, European Association of Psychology & Law and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychology. Psychiatry and Law. July 7th-12th, 2003. Edinburgh. 830 delegates. 
• Restorative and Community Justice, 2001, over three days, in Winchester, for an ad hoc committee chaired by Sir Charles Pollard, then Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police Force.
• Listening to Children, 2000 in London, organised with the Bridge Child Care Consultancy and involving Sir Ronald Waterhouse. 
• Psychology and Law, 1999 over five days in Dublin. First joint meeting of the American Psychology-Law Society and the European Association of Psychology & Law. 560 delegates and 270 to the pre-conference courses. Two books of proceedings have been published and an edited book from a special session. 
• Therapeutic Jurisprudence. First international conference, over three days, 1998, Winchester.
• Diversion from gaol, 1998, one day, Winchester.
• Behavioural syndrome evidence in the courts, 1997, one day, London, with Professor Alan Tomkins, University of Nebraska.
• Controversial scientific evidence, 1997, chaired by Lord Woolf M.R., (as he then was) at Gray's Inn, with Dr Joe Cecil of the Federal Judicial Centre, Washington DC. (An evening meeting.)
• ‘The Shonubi decision,’ an international seminar within the SLSA meeting in Southampton, with Professor John Michon, University of Leiden.
• The prediction of dangerousness and assessment of risk, 1996, with Professor Chris Webster, Simon Fraser University.
• Competence to make decisions, 1995, Winchester, with Professor Tom Grisso, University of Massachusetts.
• The cross-examination of children, 1995, Police Staff College, Bramshill. (The edited papers were published in Expert Evidence, 4(1): 2-30.) 

Recent professional workshops, etc.

• 2011. Four applied workshops (09:30 – 16:30) on ‘Positive Professional Risk-Taking’ for Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership.