This book provides a contextual setting and explanation for the theoretical and practical developments in forensic psychology, particularly in Britain but drawing on international contexts where possible. We devote more space than most to consideration of the societal and political contexts in which forensic psychologists work. This is largely a book that assumes knowledge of at least some basic ideas in either the practice or theory of forensic psychology and we do not seek to rehearse them all here. Rather, the authors have again generated material that considers the development of our discipline and provides pointers for ongoing evolution and change.