| Summary: | The aim of this study is to investigate the critical, legal, ethical and methodological considerations when managing sensitive research projects in criminal and forensic psychology. Stakes are high in these projects, and that is why it is critical to ensure minimal risk and the best outcome for everyone involved. There are numerous publications of research papers in criminal and forensic psychology, but very few outline the actual project management considerations behind the research project. Dr. Ann Burgess and her husband, Dr. Allen Burgess, are world renowned researchers in this field, and have managed numerous successful and noted sensitive research projects. In this study, qualitative methods are used to gather extraordinary insights into their work, and especially their project with the FBI, which involved mapping out behaviors of serial killers. This project has been prominently showcased in the Netflix TV series, Mindhunters. Additionally, two experts in relevant fields are interviewed. Professor Gísli Guðjónsson, one of the world's leading forensic psychologists and Daði Kristjánsson a district court judge in Iceland and former prosecutor. The outcome of this study generates four different and useful tools for future project managers in sensitive research projects; team structure and role guidelines, stakeholder analysis, a comprehensive process map for a sensitive research project, and an overview of critical considerations regarding the key themes in all project phases.
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