The catathymic crisis: An explanation of the serial killer

Various explanations have been proposed to explain the motivation of serial killers. This article proposes that the theory of the Catathymic Crisis is an explanation that adds light to the “serial” nature of serial murder as well as an explanation of why and how a person can become a serial killer. The theory of Catathymic Crisis was presented in 1937 by Dr. Frederic Wertham as an explanation for some types violent and seemingly motivationless crimes. Dr. Wertham's theory describes a five stage process in which (1) a thinking disorder occurs within the mind of the criminal, (2) a plan is created to commit a violent criminal act, (3) internal emotional tension forces the commission of the criminal act, which leads to (4) a superficial calmness in which the need to commit the violent act is eliminated and normal activity can be conducted and (5) the mind adjusts itself and understands that the thinking process that caused the commission of the criminal act was flawed and the mind makes adjustments in order to prevent further criminal activity. The serial killer never reaches the fifth stage but returns to the second and operates in a cycle between stage two and four. This article advocates that the Catathymic Crisis explains why the serial killer needs to commit murder, why that need develops and why there is an escalating nature of the criminal activity by the serial killer.     

Relational Justice in Organizations: The Group-Value Model and Support for Change

This paper examines the psychological dynamics of the Group-Value Model for a behavioral orientation which has seldom been considered in the social justice literature: acceptance and support for change. A field study was conducted, with 176 participants members of an organization which was undergoing a change process. Participants were asked (a) to think of a specific relevant conflict situation with their supervisor; (b) to evaluate supervisor's behavior in that situation, with respect to relational and distributive justice; (c) to state the justice aspects most valued in conflict situations with their supervisor. A test of the model was conducted through a mediation analysis. According to the Group-Value Model (GVM), respect experienced within the group and pride in the group were mediating variables between justice judgements and orientation toward acceptance and support for change in the organization. Interactional and procedural aspects (relational judgements) were the only ones to predict pride, respect, and behavioral orientation, and were also the ones most valued in general conflict situations with the supervisor. The model was also tested at three different levels of analysis: organization as a whole, department, and work group. This confirmed pride and respect within the group as mediating variables between relational justice judgements and orientation toward acceptance and support for change at the department and workgroup levels.     

Differentiation of hydrocephalic calf and human calvariae

Occasionally, partial calvariae of hydrocephalic calves are found in forensic contexts and mistakenly identified as human. Such specimens can be properly identified through immunological assessment of associated soft tissue, microscopic analysis of associated hair, and morphological comparison with documented museum specimens. Morphological comparison should focus on the form of the occiput, supraorbital grooves, and bulbous vault and presence of coronal processes.     

STATE-SPONSORED SEED VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAMS: THE PENNSYLVANIA EXPERIENCE

The venture capital industry represents the high growth end of the enterprise development spectrum. To promote this high value activity, states have ventured into new development finance realms. This article reviews various state approaches and concentrates on a diversified strategy adopted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.     

A single fatal penetrating chest wound caused by a dagger-shaped fragment of broken door glass

A 19-year-old woman ran against a glass door, and, breaking it, was struck in the left anterior chest by a single dagger-like fragment of broken door glass. This fragment deeply penetrated her chest and wounded the anterior wall of the left ventricle of her heart. She rapidly died from loss of blood. The majority of single fatal penetrating chest wounds seen at postmortem examinations are caused by firearms and bladed weapons. While penetrating chest wounds occasionally result from fragments of glass, most severe and fatal wounds from glass result from one's falling into or through plate glass and sustaining wounds of the head, face, abdomen, or extremities. A single fatal wound from a dagger-shaped piece of glass is distinctly uncommon. To prevent such an accident from occurring, safety glass must be used in front doors of public institutions.