Good practice in eliciting disclosures from sex offenders

Abstract

Eliciting useful and reliable disclosures from sex offenders is imperative for effective risk management. Responsiveness to accurate self-report by sexual offenders of their risky thinking and problematic behaviours ensures that offenders are dealt with at the correct risk level. This requires practitioners to use a range of constructive strategies and techniques for eliciting disclosures. Drawing on a recent study that investigated the nature and usefulness of disclosures, this paper explores the inherent challenges and identifies best practice in this important area of work.     

The use of tactical polygraph with sex offenders

Abstract

Little is known about current re-entry practices, nor the extent to which they facilitate re-entry, reintegration and, ultimately, desistance from future offending. Göbbels, Ward and Willis recently developed the Integrative Theory of Desistance from Sex Offending (ITDSO), which comprehensively describes the individual desistance process in four phases. In the current research, the re-entry phase of the ITDSO was used as a theoretical framework to evaluate current re-entry practices in five North American sex offender treatment programmes. Inductive thematic analyses were conducted using interview data from programme directors and final client assignments. Eleven themes were identified. Findings are discussed in relation to their fit with the ITDSO and suggestions are made for improving re-entry practices so that they better promote desistance.     

Incorporating trauma-informed care into evidence-based sex offender treatment

Abstract

As we move forward in the field of sex offender treatment, clinicians should consider incorporating principles of trauma-informed care (TIC) into evidence-based sex offender treatment models. Early adverse experiences are prevalent in the general population and more so in criminal and sex offender populations. Early trauma paves the way for maladaptive coping and interpersonal deficits, which can lead to abusive behaviour. Content-oriented sex offender treatment models emphasising cognitive-behavioural skills should integrate process-oriented components that address the ways in which early trauma shapes adult cognitions and behaviour. Relational approaches to therapy can enhance clients' interpersonal skills and improve general well-being. This type of personal growth would be expected to mitigate future offending as the client adopts and successfully practices healthier, non-destructive strategies for meeting emotional needs.     

A review of dynamic variables and their relationship to risk prediction in sex offenders

In recent years, a good deal of attention has been paid to the question of recidivism in sex offenders, with an emphasis on the pool of identified static variables associated with risk. The paper aims to review the developing evidence-base for dynamic (changeable) variables, describing their clinical and research characteristics. It also considers the relationship between dynamic domains and apparently fixed developmental variables, such as attachment and victimization experiences. Three main models are presented, and examined in terms of their ability to enhance static prediction models. Results would suggest that there are four dynamic domains, which can predict sexual recidivism independently of static risk prediction, and that these domains should be of central consideration in the continuing development of treatment programmes.     

放射免疫分析法测定性激素判断血痕的性别

本文对测定血痕中睾酮量(T)和全血蛋白量(P),及T/P的比值来判断血痕性别的可能性进行了探讨.通过测定102名健康成年人血痕(男性57名,女性45名),得出本法对男性血痕的肯定率为80.7%,对女性血痕的肯定率为88.9%.实验中还观察到时间因素及某些环境因素(霉变)能使两性血痕T/P值降低.     

用PCR技术鉴定自溶组织性别

本文用聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测已知男性各种不同程度自溶组织石蜡切片中的男性DNA序列。结果表明：自溶程度较低的组织可以用聚合酶链反应鉴定性别：但自溶程度达到核膜消失和细胞结构消失者，其性别鉴定阳性率明显降低，而且在自溶程度较高时，易出现假阴性结果。     

Risk assessment of sexual offenders in German forensic institutions

BACKGROUND: The assessment of recidivism in sexual offenders is an urgent topic for forensic psychiatry in Germany. The call for useful predictive measures is therefore getting louder. AIMS: The present study analyses which criteria are employed by therapists in forensic hospitals to assess the dangerousness of sexual offenders. Of particular interest is whether the criteria listed in presently known prediction scores as decisive are actually used in decision-making in current forensic psychiatric practice. METHOD: Data are collected in a prospective prediction study funded by the German Research Association. RESULTS: The results reveal that therapists employ mainly clinical and less historical criteria, thus indicating substantial differences from currently known prediction scores and results of other studies. CONCLUSIONS: That therapists base their prediction of dangerousness primarily on clinical variables reveals a substantial error that has to be remedied. Further research on the extent of relevance of clinical variables is needed.     

性文化在西南少数民族社会发展中的地位和作用

在西南少数民族社会长期的历史发展过程中 ,形成了丰富多彩的性文化 ,它对民族社会的发展产生了巨大的“张力”。这一特殊的文化现象 ,是研究民族社会发展乃至人类历史进程的重要史料。研究与特定的民族心理、民族价值观念结合在一起的民族性文化与现代文明的冲突现象 ,将有助于民族文化建设 ,有助于制定民族自治政策和更好地实行民族地区公共事务管理     

全球化的挑战:社会性别视角的分析

全球化是一个影响广泛而深远的不可逆转的过程。由于男女两性的社会特征不同 ,全球化带给男女两性的挑战也有所不同 ,因此 ,要对全球化的挑战进行社会性别视角的分析 ,特别是要探讨生产、投资、服务及公共部门的国际化、市场化及私有化过程给我国男女两性工作和生活所带来的重要影响及全球化背景下我国社会的性别不平等问题。     

PCR扩增ZFY/ZFX基因鉴定人类干血痕性别

应用 PCR 技术同时扩增人 ZFY 和 ZFX 基因特异的 DNA 序列,在男性血痕中可检测到两种扩增产物,即340bp 长的 ZFY 基因及488bp 长的 ZFX 基因特异 DNA 片段;在女性血痕中仅可检测到488bp 长的 ZFX 基因特异 DNA 片段,据此判定干血痕性别。干血痕的最小检出需要量为0.125μl 血液量的血痕。室温保存10年的血痕可以准确判定性别。ZFY 基因位于 Y 染色体短臂。本方法同时检测两条性染色体,可以避免由于扩增失败或 Y 染色体长臂变异出现的假阴性或假阳性。扩增产物经琼脂糖凝胶电泳即可区分。