Use of facial composite systems in US law enforcement agencies

Abstract

Facial composite images are often used in the criminal investigation process to facilitate the search for and identification of someone who has committed a crime. Since the use of facial composite images is sometimes relied upon as an integral part of an investigation, it is important to ascertain information about the various decisions made and procedures implemented by law enforcement regarding the use of composites. A 39-item survey was developed to examine the prevalence of a number of procedures related to composite production, including the systems implemented, criteria for selecting systems, law enforcement training, satisfaction with systems, legal challenges, and procedural issues with respect to interviewing multiple witnesses and the distribution of composite images. Surveys were distributed to 1637 city, state and county law enforcement agencies nationwide; 163 completed surveys were returned. This paper summarizes our survey results and discusses the implications for investigative procedures, law enforcement training, and future research needs.     

Agreement between ratings from self-rating scales and assessments by treatment staff concerning a group of adolescent males who have sexually offended

Abstract

Despite problems of validity, self-report measurements are used in clinical practice and research. The aim here was to compare self-ratings by adolescent males who had sexually offended with assessments of the same adolescents made by professionals. Results of two self-report questionnaires were compared with staff estimates. It was assumed that observability of behaviour, social desirability of the adolescents' responses, intellectual difficulties and the presence of neuropsychiatric problems would affect the level of agreement between participant and professional responses. Agreement between staff estimates and self-ratings was generally low. However, some results supported the assumptions: i.e. higher levels of agreement on observable behaviour, higher levels of agreement for adolescents scoring low on social desirability and, most obviously, lower levels of agreement for boys with neuropsychiatric diagnoses. Discrepancies between what adolescents say about themselves through self-ratings and how professionals perceive them cause problems in assessments that rely on self-rating measurements.     

Using wilderness therapy in treating adolescent sexual offenders

Abstract

This article describes a follow-up study of 14 adolescent sexual offenders who had attended a community treatment programme. A core component of their treatment included outdoor wilderness group therapy. Interviews were conducted with adolescents and parents and tapped several areas including social skills and peer relationships, victim empathy, cognitive distortions, safety plans and coping with high risk situations, sexual offending cycle, perceived level of risk, intimacy and sexuality. The study also examined the child protection service records of the It adolescents. Data from child protection service computer records showed that none of the adolescents had reoffended. Interviews with adolescents and families focusing particularly on the wilderness component of the programme showed positive changes.     

Law enforcement employment discrimination based on sexual orientation: A selective review of case law

Homosexuality has been the subject of discrimination from Biblical times through the present. Homosexuals continue to experience pervasive forms of discrimination, including denial of employment which they may be otherwise qualified to obtain. One profession that is particularly open in its discrimination against homosexual employees is law enforcement. This article traces the development of homosexuals’ rights as they specifically relate to employment in law enforcement. Examples of common arguments raised by police administrators to justify such actions are examined with each illustrated by an example from relevant case law. Finally, areas in which the law has begun to provide greater protection for the employment rights of homosexuals are identified.     

Race and repeats: The impact of officer performance on racially biased policing

This study explored the impact of the repeat phenomenon on racial disparities in police motor vehicle stops. The repeat phenomenon is the existence of a small proportion of people or places (officers, citizens, places, victims) that account for a much larger proportion of events. While this phenomenon has been identified and discussed in other areas of criminal justice and criminology, little attention has been given to its existence in officer behavior. This study examined the impact of repeat officers on the level of racial disparity in a population of motor vehicle stops in a midwestern city during a portion of the year 2001. Results indicated that officer performance has a significant impact on the level of racial disproportionality in motor vehicle stops. Areas of future research addressing possible theoretical explanations for racial disparity in motor vehicle stops are also explored.     

IT'S 10 p.m., DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE?

Over the past several decades, parent-child abduction has turned from a national into an international problem. To try and minimize this problem, The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction was adopted on October 1980. The goal of the Convention is to ensure that abducted children are promptly returned to their homes. While the goal has been met, the overwhelming use of the Convention's exceptions must be limited so that the purpose of the Convention is not damaged.