An Integration of Hindsight Bias and Counterfactual Thinking: Decision-Making and Drug Courier Profiles

Counterfactual thinking and hindsight bias have each generated separate, substantial bodies of research and provided insight into some areas of legal decision-making. An investigation of the relationship between Counterfactual thinking and hindsight bias in a situation in which both are implicated is presented in a legal decision-making context utilizing drug courier profiles and illegal search and seizure. The findings, which demonstrate each of these cognitive processes and show a pattern of results that supports an integrative relationship between them, are discussed in the contexts of social cognition and of legal decision-making. A suggested causal model of decision-making in this context is also presented. Specific implications of these findings for civil actions to remedy illegal searches are discussed.     

Neuroscience and the Detection of Deception

The detection of deception is among the most important and pressing requirements faced by federal agencies with national security responsibilities. The polygraph is insufficient in its present state of development for meeting the needs of national security. While some neuroscience‐based alternatives to the polygraph have been proposed (e.g., EEG and fMRI), there are significant problems with these techniques and consideration of their operational use is premature. The development of a more effective means for detecting deception will require substantial conceptual advances in the science of deception, in particular the establishment of a sound theoretical basis on which to design such a system. Neuroscience and related fields can make significant contributions toward the development of a theory of deception, given sufficient government support and commitment to such an effort. However, even a sound theory of deception cannot guarantee success; it is vital that the associated policy, legal, and ethical implications of such a system be taken into account.     

Distinguishing graduates from dropouts and dismissals: Who fails boot camp?

This study of 784 inmates in a boot camp in a southern state was designed to determine what elements from life-course theory distinguished between graduates, dropouts, and dismissals from the program in this facility. Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that several social bonds—such as employment, income, marital status—and personal assets like self-efficacy differentiated graduates from dropouts and dismissals from that program. In contrast, selling drugs, illegal income, and carrying a weapon also were associated with graduation.Lack of self-control, drug use, and peer association differentiated dropouts from graduates, whereas history of being abused, emotional problems, and suicidal attempts distinguished dismissals from graduates. The implications of these findings for further research and current decision-making are discussed.     

A fentanyl fatality involving midazolam

A case is presented of a 35-year-old black African male anesthesiology resident, found dead in his apartment. At the scene a syringe, butterfly intravenous line and a bottle of Versed (Midazolam) were recovered. A comprehensive screen for common drugs of abuse and therapeutic agents failed to detect any drugs in blood and urine. The blood ethanol concentration was 0.06 g/dl. A GC/MS SIM assay for midazolam was developed. A sub-therapeutic midazolam blood concentration of 7.5 ng/ml was detected and concentrations (ng/ml or ng/g) in bile, urine, and liver were 3.3, 7.5, and 96, respectively. The syringe fluid was then analyzed and found to contain only fentanyl, midazolam was absent. The blood fentanyl concentration was 4.9 ng/ml which is consistent with those reported in fentanyl fatalities. Fentanyl concentrations (ng/ml or ng/g) in bile, urine, and liver were 8.8, 5.0, and 5.9, respectively. The cause of death was ruled to be fentanyl intoxication and the manner of death undetermined.     

Towards a model of effective knowledge transfer within transnationals: The case of Chinese foreign invested enterprises

In this paper Chinese foreign invested enterprises (FIEs) are employed as prototypes to generate a model of how transnationals can transfer both tacit and explicit knowledge between their units as well as between FIEs and the parent organization. We propose that successful intra-organization knowledge transfer depends upon: (1) collective creation of knowledge as intellectual and social capital available throughout the organization; (2) trust-based collaboration among geographically dispersed entities that form the transnational organization; and (3) the willingness and ability of organizational units to use that knowledge. The paper further proposes that organizational knowledge should ideally flow in multiple directions, providing learning opportunities for both investing and host organizations. Implications for transfer of best practices, a specific form of tacit knowledge, are also offered.