Journal of Social Development in Africa (1995), 10,1,107-117 
Book Reviews 
Forensic Social Work: Legal Aspects of Professional Practice, Robert L Barker 
and Douglas M Branson, The Haworth Press, New York, 1993, ISBN: 1-56024- 
351-1 (h/b); ISBN: 1-56024-352-X (p/b), 139 pp inc index, Price: $26,95 (h/b); 
$19,95 (p/b). 
With the democratisation process currently developing all over the world and more 
recently also in Southern Africa, Mozambique being an excellent current example, 
we cannot help being amazed at the varied complexity and diversity of the created 
order. The attempts of governments to unite their people in Governments of 
National Unity is not just a faddish attempt to respond to the ecological, economic, 
social and political holocaust that threatens to engulf humankind. Social work at 
its core attempts to deal with the social problems of humankind and in the struggle 
we find competing responsibilities that all demand our attention. The problem is 
more acute for those who sincerely want to do what is right. 
One of the competing responsibilities we as social workers encounter is our 
legal responsibility towards our clients and our organisations. This is what Barker 
and Branson (1993) write about. For social workers to effectively do their work, 
they will need to know more about the legal system of their specific countries. Even 
though the authors wrote the book for the American legal system it will not be 
difficult to customise the guidelines the book proposes to any local legal system. 
It is of the utmost necessity that social workers know and understand their 
country's legal system, the general procedures and the roles of the various persons 
involved. "This knowledge should be based on serious study rather than watching 
television courtroom dramas..." Barker and Branson (1993:10). It is necessary for 
social workers and other professionals in the helping profession to know what is 
admissible as evidence in a court of law. Workers must know what information to 
obtain, legally and ethically. In doing this workers can ensure that their testimony 
in court will be effective and to the benefit of society as a whole. 
Other issues Barker and Branson (1993) describe are that a social worker 
should take cognisance of aspects concerning malpractice, ethics, legal and 
professional credentials, adjudication processes and procedures, and preparing for 
litigation. It is a great danger for social workers to assume that social work can 
function independently of the law. We have to view the work of the social worker 
within the landscape of the whole. It is then that one gain balance and perspective. 
The book is stimulating to read, the contents understandable and easy to follow. 
It will be a useful book for academics and students in social work. The book is a 
must for practitioners in the field because of the fact that forensic social work is a 
new professional speciality. 
Reviewed byJPHKasselman, Career Planning, South African Police, Pretoria, 
South Africa.