Costanzo and Krauss show students how psychological science can be used to enhance the gathering of evidence, improve legal decision making, reduce crime, and promote justice. With the integration of fascinating real trials, cases and other examples of the legal system in action, the authors illustrate how research and theory can deepen our understanding of suspects, criminals, police officers, victims, lawyers, witnesses, judges, and jurors. Costanzo and Krauss accessibly illustrate the relevance of key research findings in social, cognitive, clinical, and developmental psychology to virtually every aspect of the legal system psychologists have studied.

Mark Costanzo received his Ph.D. in social psychology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He is a professor of psychology at Claremont McKenna College and a member of the plenary faculty at Claremont Graduate University. He has published research on a variety of law-related topics including police interrogations, false confessions, jury decision-making, sexual harassment, attorney argumentation, alternative dispute resolution, and the death penalty. He has also published research in the areas of nonverbal communication, teaching techniques, and energy conservation. Professor Costanzo is author of the books, Just Revenge: Costs and Consequences of the Death Penalty and Psychology Applied to Law. He has co-edited four books, including, Expert Psychological Testimony for the Courts and Violence and the Law.
Professor Costanzo has served as a consultant or expert witness for more than 80 criminal cases. In 2008, he was the winner of the Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI), and in 2010, he received the Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring Award from the American Psychology-Law Society (APLS).

Daniel Krauss completed a joint degree program in psychology and law at the University of Arizona, receiving his J.D. and then his Ph.D. in clinical psychology and psychology, policy, and law. He is a professor at Claremont McKenna College, and is a plenary faculty member at Claremont Graduate University. Professor Krauss is primarily interested in the interaction of law and clinical psychology, and has published a large number of research articles and book chapters relating to clinical psychological evaluations for the courts, legal and psychological expertise, and jury decision-making. He has co-edited 3 books, and is the co-editor of, the law and public policy: psychology and the social sciences book series by the American Psychological Association (APA) Press. Professor Krauss is licensed to practice law in Arizona, is a member of the United States Supreme Court bar, and has served as the United States Supreme Court Fellow to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. He is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California, and a diplomate in forensic psychology, board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology. In 2010, he was awarded the Early Career Research Award by the Western Psychological Association.