Law & Disorder

From law enforcement legend John Douglas, the FBI's pioneer of criminal profiling and the model for Agent Jack Crawford in "The Silence of the Lambs," comes a provocative and personal look at our criminal justice system and mankind's most abominable crime: murder. Delving more deeply into the subject than ever before, Douglas shares his unique perspective on some of his most notorious cases--and reveals how a high-profile crime can challenge even the most seasoned investigator. Over the course of his nearly forty-year career, John Douglas has pursued, studied, and interviewed criminals including Charles Manson, James Earl Ray, Dennis Rader, and David Berkowitz--a veritable Who's Who of violent predators. But he has also devoted extensive energies to helping the wrongfully accused and convicted, including several inmates of death row. Now, with longtime co-author and collaborator Mark Olshaker, Douglas addresses every law enforcement professional's worst nightmare: cases in which justice was delayed, or even denied. Eloquently and passionately, he speaks up not only for victims of crime--but for victims of the system itself.

In fascinating and meticulous detail he recreates his ground-breaking findings in the investigation of the West Memphis Three and the bungled trial of Amanda Knox;how he reached his controversial conclusions in the JonBenet Ramsey murder;and his involvement in other historic, headline-making cases. Douglas reveals what happens when preconceived ideas, bias, superstition, and even media coverage obstruct a dispassionate pursuit of the evidence--and shows what we must do to avoid modern-day re-enactments of the Salem Witch Trials.

Brimming with gripping narratives and shedding light on some of our most mystifying questions about guilt and innocence, "Law & Disorder" is an unrestrained account of the exhilaration and frustration that attend the quest for justice, from the most prominent criminal investigator of our time.

John Edward Douglas served as a special agent of the FBI for over twenty-five years. He is widely admired as the leading expert on criminal personality profiling and modern criminal investigative analysis. A veteran of the Air Force, he has written numerous books including the #1 international bestseller "Mindhunter."

Mark Olshaker is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, "New York Times" bestselling non-fiction author, and critically acclaimed novelist who has worked with Douglas for many years.

Both authors live in the Washington, D.C. area.