Using immersive virtual reality and ecological psychology to probe into child molesters' phenomenology

Abstract

Child molesters (n=13) and sexually non-deviant subjects (n=29) were immersed with virtual characters depicting relevant sexual features while their sexual arousal and gaze behaviour were assessed to characterise their sexual preferences and intentional dynamics. Sexual arousal was measured using circumferential penile plethysmography (PPG). Gaze behaviour dynamics were derived from average gaze radial angular deviation (GRAD) and GRAD coefficient of variation (GRADCV). Results show distinct sexual arousal profiles according to sexual preferences and point towards the existence of specific gaze behaviour dynamics guided by sexual intentions. Theoretical interpretations are based on the ecological psychology of J. J. Gibson, the extended mind theory and the integrated theory of sexual offending. Theoretical underpinnings stemming from these approaches are advocated as being especially well suited to explain how virtual reality can help probing into child molesters' phenomenology as lived from the “first-person” stance.     

The forensic radiographer: a new member in the medicolegal team

Multidetector computed tomography is becoming more widespread in forensic medicine. In most services, autopsy assistants perform the radiological examination. We introduced professional radiographers into the legal medicine service and hypothesized they would also be able to take over duties currently reserved for other specialists. The aims of this study were to evaluate if radiographers could be trained as "forensic radiographers" by (1) integrating graduated medical radiographers into the legal medicine service, (2) investigating the advantages of this collaboration, and (3) defining the duties of the forensic radiographers.The study was performed prospectively on a group of 8 recruited radiographers who underwent a testing period with special training. They learned the basics of medicolegal case treatment, the autonomous execution of postmortem computed tomography angiography, and postprocessing of data. Seven of 8 radiographers finished the training and were integrated into our service. Although all radiographers were able to fulfill the duties demanded after the training period, some radiographers could not enter or complete the program because they were unable to work with dead bodies.Our study presents the advantages of integrating radiographers into the medicolegal team and proposes how to train the forensic radiographers. In addition, the duties and responsibilities of these new specialists are defined.     

Gas chromatographic identification and quantification of hydroxyzine: application in a fatal self-poisoning

A method for the identification and quantification of hydroxyzine in human fluids by GC/NPD is presented. The method employs acepromazine as the internal standard and requires no derivatization. After a single alkaline extraction in n-heptane isoamylalcohol (98.5:1.5, v/v), analysis is achieved in 7 min. The lower limit of detectability was 0.8 ng/ml in plasma. Capillary gas chromatography mass spectrometry assay was developed for confirmation. Toxicological findings, after a fatality involving hydroxyzine are presented as an application of the procedure.     

Parentage determination on aborted fetal material through deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling

After a rape, women who are pregnant often elect to abort the fetus. The authors describe ten cases in which deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) typing was performed on the aborted fetal material to provide evidence of the genetic constitution of the suspect. The problems encountered with this new technique are discussed.     

A specific HPLC method for determination of beta-blockers topically used in ophthalmological diseases

A HPLC method is presented for the identification and quantification in plasma and urine of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (betaxolol, carteolol, metipranolol, and timolol) commonly prescribed in ophthalmology. An extraction method is described using pindolol as an internal standard. An RSIL 10 micron column was used. The lower detection limits of the beta-blockers were found to be 4-27 ng/ml. This method is simple, rapid and sensitive; moreover, it allows the determination of 8 other beta-blockers.     

L‘Éthique dans la Fonction publique: un essai de théorie générale

Sommaire. La simple évocation de I'idée de Service public nous conduit à un certain nombre de considérations qui auront valeur de principes directeurs. 1/ La logique même du Service public comporte un impératif de continuité, de permanence, de fonctionnement sans défaillance dans la poursuite des objectifs que s'est défini le corps social par ses représentants officiels. 2/ Le Service public s'inscrit dans une structure constitutionnelle qui définit le type de rapport qui doit exister entre le Parlement, le Gouvemement et les fonctionnaires. 3/ Le Service public dans le régime politique qui est le nôtre est le service d'une clientèle, la collectivité nationale, qui se trouve àêtre en dernière analyse le grand patron de I'entreprise: les principes d'rigalitC de tous devant le Service public, d'égalité devant les charges publiques, exigeront que dans ses rapports avec les administrés, le fonctionnaire ait un type de comportement bien carac-térisé. Ces principes directeurs vont influencer directement les régles de comporternent des agents publics ou ce que nous appellerons le code d'éthique dans la Fonction publique et lui donneront une « personnalité» différente de celui qui régit normalement les employés de l'entreprise privée. L'auteur analyse les conséquences de l'application de ces trois principes en faisant l'étude des règles appliquées actuellement au Québec et aussi au Fédéral. II procède à une étude fouillée du récent réglement québécois sur l'éthique et la discipline dans la Fonction publique en ne négligeant pas les règles et principes non écrits de même que le Décret fédéral du 18 décembre 1973 sur les conflits d'intérêts. Dans une première section il étudie surtout le délicat probléme de l'ordonnance hiérarchique. La deuxieme section est principalement consacrée a l'étude des secrets ou de la discrétion professionnelle du fonctionnaire et à l'obligation de réserve en matihre politique; la troisiéme section traite du devoir dintégrité et des conflits d'intérêts. L'auteur traite dans sa conclusion des avantages que comporte une codification. Cet article est conçu dam la ligne tracée par l'ouvrage que Me Garant publiait en 1973 (voir la recension bibliographique de J.I. Gow dans la dernière volume, p. 506). Abstract. The mere mention of the civil service concept brings to mind a number of points which will serve as guidelines. 1/ The very nature of the civil service implies continuity, permanence, and unfailing dedication to the goals set by society, through its official representatives. 2/ The civil service exists within a constitutional structure, which defines the relationship between Parliament, government, and the civil servant. 3/ The civil service, in our political system, caters to a clientele, the national community, which, in the final analysis, runs the show: the principles of equality before the public service and of equal public responsibility require of the civil servant a certain attitude towards the public. These guidelines will influence the rules applicable to the behavior of public agents, commonly called the civil service code of ethics, and will give it a character quite different from that prevalent in the private sector. The author analyses the consequences of the implementation of these principles by studying the rules presently applied in Quebec and by the federal government. He studies in depth the recently developed Quebec guideline on ethics and discipline in the civil service, including unwritten rules and principles, as well as the federal decree of 18 December 1973 on conflicts of interest. In the first part he considers in particular the delicate problem of hierarchical order, and, in the second, the question of confidentiality in the civil service and the need for restraint in political matters. The third part deals with the need for personal integrity and with conflicts of interest. Finally, the author considers the advantages of coding. This article has been written in accordance with the concept set forth by Mr Garant in a book published in 1973 (see the review by J.I. Cow in the last volume, p. 506).     

Exit association-mediated suicide: toxicologic and forensic aspects

The Swiss German chapter of the Exit Association provides conditional assistance to individuals wishing to end their own lives. The Exit Association advocates death with dignity and fights for the right to freely choose the timing of one's own death. According to the Swiss criminal code (articles 114 and 115), altruistic assistance to suicide is not punishable. Active euthanasia is punished by imprisonment. An individual commits active euthanasia if he or she is driven by honorable motives (e.g., pity) and causes the death of another person wishing to die who seriously and insistently requests such action. Based on our information, the preparation for suicide and its completion relies on a well-defined protocol. First, the candidate's eligibility for Exit Association assistance is verified. The candidate then writes a farewell declaration that explicitly confirms the will to terminate his or her own life. A written report describes the events during the suicide procedure. Depending on the circumstances, the investigative judge requests a forensic autopsy and toxicologic analyses. The results of the forensic investigations conducted in the cases presented here are in agreement with the scenario described in the reports of the Exit Association, namely, suicide by massive ingestion of pentobarbital.     

Salvia divinorum: an hallucinogenic mint which might become a new recreational drug in Switzerland

Salvia divinorum Epling & Jativa is an hallucinogenic mint traditionally used for curing and divination by the Mazatec Indians of Oaxaca, Mexico. Young people from Mexican cities were reported to smoke dried leaves of S. divinorum as a marijuana substitute. Recently, two S. divinorum specimens were seized in a large-scale illicit in-door and out-door hemp plantation. Salvinorin A also called divinorin A, a trans-neoclerodane diterpene, was identified in several organic solvent extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The botanical identity of the plant was confirmed by comparing it to an authentic herbarium specimen. More plants were then discovered in Swiss horticulturists greenhouses. All these data taken together suggest that many attempts exist in Switzerland to use S. divinorum as a recreational drug. This phenomenon may be enhanced because neither the magic mint, nor its active compound are banned substances listed in the Swiss narcotic law.