Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator

About Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator

Dr. Joni Johnston is a forensic psychologist, private investigator, and crime writer. As a practicing psychologist, she has worked in a medium-maximum security prison, for the Board of Parole, for the Superior Court of San Diego, and as a workplace investigator of misconduct allegations including harassment, discrimination and violence. She currently evaluates mentally disordered offenders up for parole as provides expert testimony in criminal and civil litigation where a forensic psychologist can help shed light on pertinent issues.

Domestic Violence: When Your Friend is a Batterer

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-10-20T00:23:52-04:00October 18th, 2019|

This month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and, understandably, the focus has been on the victims – how to recognize an abusive relationship, how to

What Would You Do to End Child Abuse?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-10-14T10:08:20-04:00October 12th, 2019|

My first job out of graduate school was working with children who had been severely neglected or abused. It was with a nonprofit that had

Why Would an Innocent Person Ever Confess to a Crime?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-09-29T12:28:20-04:00September 27th, 2019|

I took an art class in 7th grade. I had no interest in drawing fruit bowls or a table and chair and gave these earlier

Would You Fall for a Romance Scam?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-09-22T00:30:01-04:00September 20th, 2019|

They meet at an online dating site. He tells her he’s in the military, widowed with one teenage daughter, and a practicing Christian. He’s lonely

We’ve Talked About School Shooters, But What About Parent Killers?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-09-14T20:43:15-04:00September 13th, 2019|

Here are a few of the recent headlines about teens and murder in the home: Florida Teen Stole Money from Parents, used it to Try

Most Murderers Aren’t Mentally Ill – and here is why…

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-09-08T20:55:37-04:00September 6th, 2019|

At age 18, Eric’s future looks bright. A high school scholar, he is accepted to a prestigious college where he plans to study engineering. Sure,

“Stranger Danger” for College Students

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-09-01T09:32:37-04:00August 30th, 2019|

On Friday, June 28, 2019, Ayoola A. Ayayi was charged with the kidnapping and murder of 23-year-old college student Mackenzie Lueck. A year earlier, soon-to-be-University

Would You Recognize the Next Mass Shooter?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-08-24T12:22:22-04:00August 23rd, 2019|

To successfully preempt an attack, we need to focus on the "how" of terrorism instead of the "who." We may not be winning the war

The Meandering Path to Mass Violence

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-08-09T19:33:24-04:00August 9th, 2019|

We are not going to police our way out of mass shootings. We are not going to shame someone out of his beliefs. And we

The Cheater’s Personality: If You’re Unfaithful at Home, Will You Cheat at Work?

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-08-02T10:53:22-04:00August 2nd, 2019|

Have you ever heard of Ashley Madison, the website that advertises itself as a discreet dating service for married people? For better or worse, back

The Left and Right Have Much in Common – Here’s Why…

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-07-26T14:03:14-04:00July 26th, 2019|

Who do you think has more in common; a moderate and a left-wing extremist or two people, each at the left and right extremes? Recent

⏯ Narcissism and Religion: The Wolf in a Shepherd’s Clothing

By Dr. Joni E. Johnston, Forensic Psychologist, Private Investigator|2019-07-23T17:58:05-04:00July 23rd, 2019|

I recently covered the case of Stephen Allwine, a spiritual leader and elder in his church who had multiple affairs and attempted to put out