Secondary Traumatic Stress in the Courtroom: Suggestions for Preventing Vicarious Trauma Resulting from Child Sexual Abuse Imagery

The internet and social media have added to an increase in sexual imagery. As a result, law enforcement, judicial officers and court ordered counselors will be exposed to an increase of images. While not every individual will experience post‐traumatic stress symptoms, it is anticipated there is risk for impact. The impact of viewing images can include an increase in vicarious trauma symptoms, burnout, and a possible decrease in impartiality. This paper offers suggestions for self‐care in the services of preventing collateral damage.     

THE BOOK SHELF

Books reviewed in this article: 1. Amour, Richard. A Short History of Sex . Clinebell, Howard J ., Jr., and Charlotte H. Clinebell. The Intimate Marriage . 3. Mark, Vernon HA, M.D., and Frank R. Ervin, M.D. Violence and the Brain . 4. Gardner, Richard A., M.D. The Boys and Girls Book about Divorce . 5. Gordon, Thomas. Parent Effectiveness Training . 6. Kutscher, Austin &., Ed. But Not to Lose . 7. Mendel, Werner M., M.D. A Celebration of Laughter . 8. Ohlsen, Merle M. Group Counseling . 9. Reuben, David, M.D. Everything You Always Wanted to Know, etc. 10. Rogers, Carl. On Encounter Groups . 11. Shepard, Martin, M.D., and Marjorie Lee. Games Analysts Play . 12. Viseman, Jacqueline P. Stations of the Lost .     

A method for enhancing gunshot residue patterns on dark and multicolored fabrics compared with the modified Griess test

In using infrared or infrared-enhanced photography to examine gunshot residue (GSR) on dark-colored clothing, the GSR particles are microscopically examined directly on the fabric followed by the modified Griess test (MGT) for nitrites. In conducting the MGT, the GSR is transferred to treated photographic paper for visualization. A positive reaction yields an orange color on specially treated photographic paper. The examiner also evaluates the size of the powder pattern based on the distribution of nitrite reaction sites or density. A false-positive reaction can occur using the MGT due to contaminants or dyes that produce an orange cloud reaction as well. A method for enhancing visualization of the pattern produced by burned and partially unburned powder is by treatment of the fabric with a solution of sodium hypochlorite. In order to evaluate the results of sodium hypochlorite treatment for GSR visualization, the MGT was used as a reference pattern. Enhancing GSR patterns on dark or multicolored clothing was performed by treating the fabric with an application of 5.25% solution of sodium hypochlorite. Bleaching the dyes in the fabric enhances visualization of the GSR pattern by eliminating the background color. Some dyes are not affected by sodium hypochlorite; therefore, bleaching may not enhance the GSR patterns in some fabrics. Sodium hypochlorite provides the investigator with a method for enhancing GSR patterns directly on the fabric. However, this study is not intended to act as a substitute for the MGT or Sodium Rhodizonate test.     

No news is good news? Press coverage and corporate public affairs management

• Being in the public eye puts pressure on an organization's Public Affairs (PA) function. This study finds that firms more closely covered by the press tend to be more forceful in promoting their own position on social issues (social buffering). Press coverage is not associated with greater corporate efforts to comply with societal expectation (social bridging). Overall, press coverage is weakly associated with lowered perceived corporate public affairs performance.

Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

THE BOOK SHELF

Books reviewed in this articles: 1. Eller, Vernard– The Sex Manual for Puritans. 2. Hallett, Kathryn– A Guide for Single Parents (or is it: People in Crisis –as it is called on the spine?) 3. Jackson, Donald Dale. Judges. 4. Singleton, Mary Ann. Life After Marriage: Divorce as a New Beginning.