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Month: September 2017

Inferring Motives in Psychology and Psychoanalysis

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Abstract

Grünbaum (1984) argues that psychoanalysis cannot justify its inferences regarding motives using its own methodology, as only the employment of Mill’s canons can justify causal inferences (which inferences to motives are). I consider an argument offered by Hopkins (1988) regarding the nature and status of our everyday inferences from other people’s behavior to their motives that seeks to rebut Grünbaum’s charge by defending a form of inference to the best explanation that makes use of connections in intentional content between behavior and motives. I argue that Hopkins succeeds in defeating Grünbaum’s objection as it is presented, but that work in social psychology presents a further challenge. I discuss the extent to which the challenge can be met, and conclude that certain types of inference in psychoanalysis are justifiable, but others, including those which are the target of Grünbaum’s objection, cannot be justified by the methods defended by Hopkins...

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The Utility Of Rorschach In Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations—a Case Study.

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Abstract

The use of the Rorschach Comprehensive System (RCS) in forensic psychiatric evaluations has evoked criticism. This study examined the use of the RCS in forensic psychiatric evaluations by studying to what extent a valid interpretation and an assessment can be made on information based solely on the RCS. Psychological assessments (N 34) based solely on RCS information were compared with the responses made by a forensic psychiatrist who had evaluated one offender. Agreement was found in 14 of 19 statements, which were related to the capacities and personality characteristics underlying criminal responsibility and mental state at the time of offense. The findings support the use of the RCS in forensic psychiatric evaluations, although no explicit conclusion can be drawn from one case. Further studies with more cases are needed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)...

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Concealment of Psychopathology in Forensic Evaluations: A Pilot Study of Intentional and Uninsightful Dissimulators

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Both clinical and forensic psychiatrists recognize that individuals whom they evaluate may be unreliable historians. Clinical psychiatrists are diligent in attending to the possibility that patients may not be forthcoming with all of their symptoms, beliefs, or personal history. For example, consider a clinician’s skepticism about the claims of a delusional paranoid schizophrenic brought to a clinic by his concerned family members or about the denials of suicidal intent of a depressed patient brought to the emergency room for a drug overdose. Clinicians approach cases such as these recognizing that patients may withhold critical information about their psychopathology, whether because of paranoid fears, in response to voices they hear, covert suicidal intent, desires to appear “normal,” or other motives. Forensic practitioners approach evaluations with a somewhat different focus, colored chiefly by inclusion of strategies to detect the possibility of malingering. It is certainly reasonable to be skeptical of a forensic evaluee’s...

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Analyzing 911 Homicide Calls For Indicators Of Guilt Or Innocence An Exploratory Analysis

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Abstract

This study examined verbal indicators to critically analyze 911 homicide statements for predictive value in determining the caller's innocence or guilt regarding the offense. One hundred audio recordings and transcripts of 911 homicide telephone calls obtained from police and sheriffs departments throughout the United States provided the database for the study. Using qualitative approaches for formulating the linguistic attributes of these communications and appropriate quantitative analyses of the resulting variables, the likelihood of guilt or innocence of the 911 callers in these adjudicated cases was examined. The results suggest that the presence or absence of as many as 18 of the variables are associated with the likelihood of the caller's guilt or innocence regarding the offense of homicide. These results are suggestive of up to six distinct linguistic dimensions that may be useful for examination of all homicide calls to support effective investigations of these cases by law enforcement...

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Partners In Crime A Comparison Of Individual And Multi-Perpetrator Homicides

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Abstract

Little is known about the characteristics of homicides committed by more than one perpetrator. This study examined the crime, victim, and perpetrator characteristics of individual homicides (n = 84) versus multi-perpetrator homicides (n = 40), according to official file information from two Canadian federal penitentiaries. Compared to multiple perpetrators, individual perpetrators were more likely to be older and to target female victims, and their homicides were more likely to contain reactive, sexual, and sadistic elements. Multi-perpetrator homicides tended to involve younger offenders, male victims, and instrumental motives. Psychopathic offenders were likely to act alone in committing sexual homicides and to involve an accomplice in other types of murders, but they typically committed gratuitous violence against women regardless of whether they acted alone or with a co-perpetrator. The findings indicate that individual and multi-perpetrator homicides have distinctive dynamics and can be differentiated during investigations....

Additional Resource: Partners In Crime A Comparison Of Individual And Multi-Perpetrator Homicides

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Simon’s Bleedings: A Possible Mechanism Of Appearance And Forensic Importance—a Prospective Autopsy Study

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Abstract

Simon’s bleedings are stripe-like hemorrhages on the ventral surface of the intervertebral disks of the lumbar part of the spinal column. The aims of this study were to determine the appearance frequency of Simon’s bleedings in cases of hanging and in other cases of asphyxiations and to determine if the age of the deceased was in correlation with the occurrence of Simon’s bleedings. A prospective autopsic study included 147 cases of hanging, 39 other asphyxiation deaths, and 461 deaths other than asphyxiation (blunt trauma, natural deaths, etc.). Simon’s bleedings were present in 62.8% cases of hanging and in 61.5% cases of other types of asphyxiations. Simon’s bleedings are not specific for hanging (χ2 = 0.022, p > 0.05). Simon’s bleedings were less frequent in other cases. It was established that the older the person was, the possibility of Simon’s bleedings to occur...

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Study Examines Why Innocent Suspects May Confess to a Crime

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Suspects Confess to Avoid a Police Interrogation

The researchers say these results may help explain why some suspects confess to crimes in order to avoid a police interrogation even though they increase their risk of conviction and severe penalties by doing so. The study's authors theorize that innocent suspects so strongly believe that the truth will eventually be borne out, they may perceive the distal consequences facing them conviction, prison, or even a death sentence to be remote and unlikely.

"One of the things we wanted to do in this research was to identify an underlying process at play during interrogations, so it can apply to a variety of police interrogation methods," Madon said. "Our findings have implications for any [police interrogation] method that causes suspects to focus on immediate consequences over future consequences."

Madon sees the results underscoring the need to limit the use of police interrogation...

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Fracture Of The Neck Structures In Suicidal Hangings: A Retrospective Study On Contributing Variables.

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Several factors may play a role in the development of fractures of the neck structures in hanging. It has been repetitively demonstrated that the incidence of fractures increases with age. The role of other variables is less clear, different studies presenting contradictory results on the role of gender, the type of suspension, or the type of ligature. However, most of these studies evaluated these factors independently of the age of the victims. Considering that age is probably the most important factor in the development of neck structure fractures, all other contributing factors should be studied in relation to age. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of contributing factors to the development of neck structure fractures, taking age categories into account.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A total of 206 cases were analysed for the presence and localization of thyroid fracture....

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Dead Body Decomposition Model

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Stella® model and case study by Bob GotwalsView the case study for this model.

Below you will find an image of a model of dead body decomposition. This model was created using Stella® software and was converted to Java for the web using Stella2Java©2001-2003.

Please note that in order to view this Java applet you must use a Java-enabled browser.

As with any model, this one has been simplified in order to demonstrate change in body weight over time. This model could be added to in such a way that it would more closely represent real decay processes in a given geographic area. Manipulate the variables below to see how they change the rate of decomposition.

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Lifetime Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempts in Asian Americans

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Abstract

Few studies have examined the role of culturally relevant factors in suicidal behavior among Asian Americans. Using the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) (Alegria et al., 2004; Heeringa et al., 2004), the current study examined the role of culturally related variables (family conflict, perceived discrimination, and ethnic identity) on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nationally representative sample of 2,095 Asian Americans. Important covariates were sociodemographic characteristics (gender, age, marital status, years of education, household poverty, and nativity status), depressive and anxiety disorders, and number of chronic conditions. Gender related correlates were also explored. The lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts was 8.8% and 2.5%, respectively. Female gender, family conflict, perceived discrimination, and the presence of lifetime depressive or anxiety disorders were positively correlated with suicidal ideation and attempts. A high level of identification with one’s ethnic group was associated with lower rates of suicide attempts. Among Asian men...,

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A Comparison of Victim, Offender, and Event Characteristics of Alcohol- and Non-Alcohol-Related Homicides

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Abstract

The authors used narrative data from court and police records of homicides in Russia to compare alcohol- and non-alcohol-related incidents on victim, offender, and event characteristics. Binary logistic regression models were estimated for neither participant drinking, offender drinking, victim drinking, and both drinking. Consistent differences were found between alcohol- and non-alcohol-related homicides across the models. Alcohol-related homicides were significantly more likely to occur overnight, to occur on weekends, and to result from acute arguments and significantly less likely to occur between strangers, to be profit motivated or premeditated, and to be carried out to hide other crimes. No significant differences between the drinking and nondrinking samples were found for victim’s gender, primary weapon used, or event location. The authors place these findings into the literature on the situational context of crime and create a tentative typology of homicide events, grounded in the results of their inductive approach, based on alcohol use by homicide offenders and victims...

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LIBERTY TRANSPORT, INC., Plaintiff and Respondent, v. HARRY W. GORST COMPANY, INC., and Insurance Companies, Defendants and Appellants.

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Insured brought action against insurers and broker to recover for unfair settlement practices, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud in connection with denial of claim for loss of truck trailer which disappeared along with insured's driver. The Superior Court, Los Angeles County, No. C541632, Macklin Fleming, J., entered judgment on jury verdict in favor of insured. Insurers and broker appealed. The Court of Appeal, Johnson, J., held that: (1) cause of action against insurers for unfair settlement practices is “liability created by statute” within meaning of three-year statute of limitations for action upon liability created by statute; (2) evidence supported conclusion that insurers and broker unreasonably and unjustifiably delayed communicating denial of claim; and (3) award of punitive damages was permissible. Complaint against insurers and broker did not relate back to the filing of original complaint against different insurers and broker and...

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Missing Persons: Volunteers Supporting Law Enforcement

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The national Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) Program was established in 2002 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The VIPS Program provides support and resources for agencies interested in developing or enhancing a volunteer program and for citizens who wish to volunteer their time and skills with a community law enforcement agency. The program’s ultimate goal is to enhance the capacity of state, local, and tribal law enforcement to utilize volunteers through the provision of no-cost resources and assistance. The program’s Web site, www.policevolunteers.org, serves as a gateway to information for law enforcement agencies and citizens interested in law enforcement volunteer programs. The program offers a host of resources including a directory of law enforcement volunteer programs, a library of sample documents, publications addressing specific elements and issues related to volunteer programs, a model policy on volunteers, an e-newsletter, educational videos, a moderated online discussion group,

Additional Resource: National Neighborhood Watch – A Division Of The National Sheriffs' Association

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Missing Persons: Children in the Tax Treatment of Marriage

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Using the Tax Code to help children has become an extremely. popular idea both with the public and among politicians. Current proposals to help children by use of the Tax Code, however, ignore the fact that one of the best ways to help children is to promote stable marriages. This Article argues that we should attempt to find ways to use the Tax Code to contribute to the stability of marriages with children. Such use of the Tax Code would represent a radical departure not only from current proposals, but also from historic tax legislative practice and academic theories of taxation. It is firmly based, however, on a large body of social science research on the effects of family structure on children.' Recent research leaves no doubt that children growing up with both parents enjoy significant advantages that help them meet the challenges of childhood and adolescence and develop into healthy, well-adjusted, and productive adults. Children who do not grow up with two parents...

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