Kirk Heilbrun is currently a professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Drexel University. He received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1980 from the University of Texas at Austin. He completed his postdoctoral fellowship training from 1981 to 1982 in psychology and criminal justice at Florida State University. Dr. Heilbruns current research focuses on juvenile and adult offenders, legal decision making and forensic evaluation associated with such decision making, as well as reentry and the diversion of individuals with behavioral health problems from standard prosecution. He is the author of numerous articles on forensic assessment, violence risk assessment and risk communication and the diversion and treatment of justice-involved individuals.

In addition to serving as co-author for the 6th through 10th editions of PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM, he has published twelve other books on topics including forensic mental health assessment, juvenile delinquency, violence risk assessment, the Sequential Intercept Model, evaluating juvenile transfer, forensic ethics and university-behavioral health system collaboration. Dr. Heilbruns practice interests also center around forensic assessment, and he directs a clinic within the department in this area. In addition, he leads a reentry project for the assessment and treatment of individuals returning to the community from federal prison, those involved in a federal mental health court and individuals who have been exonerated from criminal convictions. He has previously served as president of both the American Psychology-Law Psychology/APA Division 41 and the American Board of Forensic Psychology. Dr. Heilbruns enjoys biking into work and playing padel (Google it).