Contemporary technology in the development of an optimal juvenile investigation

The capacity of juvenile courts to aid troubled youth depends upon the quality of information upon which dispositional decisions are based. Difficulties in accomplishing adequate juvenile investigations compromise the courts' ability to achieve their objectives. Deficiencies in traditional juvenile investigations are identified, and characterized as including conceptual, procedural, and manpower problems. Some basic requirements of an “optimal” juvenile investigation are presented. The authors' Computer Assisted Regional Evaluation System is used to illustrate how contemporary technological advances in on-line computer systems can provide a basis for accomplishing such optimal investigations, can facilitate the achievement of the objectives of the juvenile justice system and, at the same time, upgrade the capabilities of its juvenile probation workers.     

Learning from complexity: The International Development Research Centre's experience with Outcome Mapping

This paper introduces the major concepts of Outcome Mapping and discusses the International Development Research Centre's experience in developing and implementing Outcome Mapping with Northern and Southern research organisations. It explores how the fundamental principles of Outcome Mapping relate to organisational learning principles and the challenges associated with applying theory to practice. It presents cases where planning, monitoring, and evaluation processes have been used to encourage learning and improvement, and discusses the potential of Outcome Mapping as a tool for evaluative thinking to build learning into development programmes.     

THE SNOWMAN COMETH

The following is an analysis of primarily the cocaine trade in New York from 1910 to 1917. The data used come from the investigative files of the Bureau of Social Morals, part of the New York Kehillah. The Kehillah itself was a broadly based communal agency which functioned in part as a counter to accusations of Jewish criminality current in the press. The analysis deals with the social backgrounds of cocaine dealers. and then looks at the manner in which cocaine was distributed especially by criminal collectives known as combinations. It concludes that the structure of drug syndicates was exceptionally loose, fluid, and often kin-centered. Finally, the essay strongly suggests the need to integrate urban history with studies of organized crime in general.     

Political participation and city county consolidation: jacksonville-duval county

This article analyzes the effect of consolidation on the perception of power and influence in city and county government. It focuses specifically on the political effects of consolidated government by examining the extant literature and assessing the political impacts of consolidated government in Jacksonville-Duval County. Using an interrupted time series analysis of voter participation, taxes, and expenditures were examined to determine the impact on consolidation and to explore the consequences of administrative reform.     

Consumer perspectives of New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth

Abstract

The aim of this process evaluation was to identify consumer perspectives of strengths and weaknesses of programme delivery at three New Zealand community treatment programmes for sexually abusive youth. Qualitative methods were employed, with data being obtained from in-depth interviews with 24 sexually abusive youth and 23 caregivers across three sites. Results indicated that clients value good pre-entry information to reduce barriers to participation; engagement in treatment is facilitated by the quality of the client–therapist relationship, family involvement, culturally appropriate communication and creative and physical activities; and post-treatment support is important. Findings highlight the importance of engaging adolescents and their families actively during the intake period, the treatment phase and post-treatment transition. They also support the use of flexible and integrated approaches to treatment that attend to the cultural context for ethnic minorities. This suggests that programmes should aim to provide wraparound services that promote engagement during the referral phase and offer transitional programmes and aftercare follow-up. Recognition should also be given to issues of cultural difference by ensuring that cultural services for ethnic minorities are integrated into all levels of programme delivery.     

Measurement of chemical analytes in vitreous humor: stability and precision studies

The analytic accuracy and precision for measurement of chemical analytes in vitreous humor (VH) are critical if results are to be used in forensic pathology. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the stability and the reproducibility of VH sodium, potassium, chloride, glucose, urea nitrogen, acetone, and beta-hydroxybutyrate in specimens obtained from both eyes in medical examiner cases. We also compared with calculated VH osmolalities. Small but significant increases were observed in VH electrolyte concentrations in specimens refrigerated 6-12 months: sodium pre 144 mmol/L, post 151 mmol/L; potassium pre 12.0 mmol/L, post 12.8 mmol/L; chloride pre 121 mmol/L, post 123 mmol/L. No differences were observed between eyes, and within-day precision for all electrolyte measurements were excellent, (<1%). Frozen specimens showed significantly higher measured (439 mOsmol/kg) as compared with calculated osmolality (305 mOsmol/kg), with 1% within-day precision and no significance between eye variation for glucose and urea nitrogen. In 20 of 24 medical cases selected for possible ketoacidosis, measurement of beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations appears to be a promising diagnostic biomarker for confirming suspected ketosis in medical examiner cases by means of VH analysis.