The utilization of forensic science and criminal profiling for capturing serial killers

Movies and nightly television shows appear to emphasize highly efficient regimens in forensic science and criminal investigative analysis (profiling) that result in capturing serial killers and other perpetrators of homicide. Although some of the shows are apocryphal and unrealistic, they reflect major advancements that have been made in the fields of forensic science and criminal psychology during the past two decades that have helped police capture serial killers. Some of the advancements are outlined in this paper. In a study of 200 serial killers, we examined the variables that led to police focusing their attention on specific suspects. We developed 12 categories that describe how serial killers come to the attention of the police. The results of the present study indicate that most serial killers are captured as a result of citizens and surviving victims contributing information that resulted in police investigations that led to an arrest. The role of forensic science appears to be important in convicting the perpetrator, but not necessarily in identifying the perpetrator.     

The greenhouse effect: What government actions are needed?

The greenhouse effect will bring large climate changes, possibly a hostile environment, and social consequences that will range from business as usual to disaster. At present uncertainty dominates forecasts of both the climate change and derivative ecosystem and social consequences. Policy analysis must proceed in the midst of vast uncertainty, seeking programs that are unlikely to be harmful or costly if the greenhouse consequences are more benign than predicted and likely to help if the worst happens. The worst consequences are likely to occur to unmanaged ecosystems and to developing countries; in contrast, the industrial nations may experience only minor irritations, apart from the eventual rise in sea level.     

The variation of the mean age of suicides in the United States

In the United States from 1968-1996, the mean age of suicides was positively associated with measures of domestic social integration. It is suggested that the mean age of suicides could be an interesting dependent variable in suicidological research.