Delivering effective therapeutic interventions for men with severe personality disorder within a high secure prison

Abstract

The Fens Unit is a government-initiated facility for male prisoners reaching criteria for Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder (DSPD). Prisoners are assessed using a standardised process; those meeting criteria engage in a five-year treatment programme using a cognitive interpersonal model. Personality disorder is seen as a combination of coping strategies, developed in response to experience, which results in dysfunctions of thinking, feeling, behaviour and interpersonal relationships. These dysfunctions are linked to offending. Therefore, in order to reduce risk, multiphasic interventions – individual and group therapies – specifically target each dysfunction area, focusing on the developmental experiences that generated them. Each man's individual risk factors become treatment targets that are addressed in every aspect of the programme. All staff on the unit, clinical and operational, attempt to improve the quality of interpersonal relationships the prisoner has access to in order to create remedial experiences that are necessary to attain the capacity to develop socially adaptive cognitive, emotional and behavioural responses. This paper describes the treatment provided to these prisoners and the outcomes for the first cohort to have completed treatment (n=18). Results indicate that there is a reduction in violent behaviour, a higher than expected attendance at therapy, a decrease in actuarial risk measures and the majority of men are successfully managed in lower security after programme completion.     

Non-sex offenders display distorted thinking and have empathy deficits too: A thematic analysis of cognitions and the application of empathy

Abstract

It is generally assumed that empathy acts to disinhibit behaviour that could be perceived as detrimental to others, and as a result is a common feature of offender treatment programmes. The present research hypothesised that empathy in all populations is both a situational and a selective process that is ultimately governed by self-interest, and further, that it is the nature of the self-interest that distinguishes individuals rather than a general empathy deficit per se. Empathic processes were observed in a non-offending population in a personal situation normally regarded as evocative of empathy: infidelity. Thematic analysis of data from individuals who reported being faithful or unfaithful to their partners revealed five dominant themes: vulnerable predisposition, emotional motivators, rational emotive decision making, avoiding cognitive dissonance and lack of remorse. The themes all revealed how individuals employed cognitive strategies, which were managed by self-interest that functioned to create cognitive states devoid of empathy.     

The Ge.F.I. DNA Proficiency Test: Year-one experience

The Ge.F.I. (the Italian Speaking Working Group of ISFG) has launched the first DNA Proficiency Test in 2012. The aim is to increase the external quality controls in forensic genetics in Italy and to drive to the standardizations of methods within the laboratories. Reference and mixed stains typing as well as statistical exercises were proposed and 26 laboratories submitted results.     

Potential forensic application of closely linked autosomal STR haplotype in complex kinship testing

It has been noticed that the most commonly used commercial STR kits and mtDNA may not be able to solve some special kinship cases, such as alleged aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or half-siblings. Due to its unique hereditary pattern, the haplotype of genetic markers could be a solution of these questioned family relationships. In this study, we investigated the genetic features of an autosomal STR cluster by employing confirmed family samples. To evaluate the forensic practical value of autosomal STR haplotype, 5 closely linked STR loci, D1S2127-D1S2138-D1S3460-D1S1643-D1S518, which were arranged in about 2 cM region (from 186.29 cM to 188.02 cM; 1 cM represents 1% average recombination between two loci) on chromosome one, were selected to compose haplotype. Genotyping of 60 samples from 8 trios (father–mother–children), 8 duos (father or mother–children), and 4 three-generation pedigrees were performed using PAGE. Haplotypes were identified in the child by determining alleles for all 5 loci transmitted from each parent. Total 73 haplotypes were detected in all samples and 34 haplotypes were observed to be passed down as a whole and was corresponding with the inherited characteristics of haplotype. In all family members, 34 unrelated individuals contributed 65 haplotypes, of which 62 haplotypes appeared only once and the rest 3 haplotypes appeared twice. No recombination was observed in 4 three-generation pedigrees. In conclusion, the haplotype consisting of 5 closely linked autosomal STRs could pass down steadily as a whole. The family specificity of most haplotypes may provide a unique advantage in forensic complex kinship testing.     

法与神经科学研究述评——兼论认知科学与法

自上世纪90年代诞生以来,法与神经科学研究以神经科学的理论、方法和手段来研究与法律有关的广泛问题,具体涉及证据、刑法、民法、神经伦理学、法律决策和神经经济学等重叠交叉的应用领域。认知理论和脑成像技术的发展促成该领域的兴盛。从未来的发展看,法学作为与人的行为密切相关的学科,有必要吸收来自于认知科学领域的知识。概念层级理论有助于说明学科及其概念之间的关系：认知科学与法不等于法学与认知科学母学科的直接结合;认知法学的实质是认知路径的跨学科法学研究;法与神经科学的研究是认知科学与法研究这一领域中的子领域。     

实案测试中被测试对象心理状态探析

心理学的研究离不开各种实验,心理测试技术(俗称"测谎"技术)实际上就是心理学实验方法的一种。此项技术在我国的研究应用已经30多年,辅助司法领域进行了大量的实案心理测试①。不仅对陷入侦破困境的案件起到很大作用,也对心理学在实战领域的应用研究提供了一种实验范式。对进行心理测试案件的研究发现,很多的变量都会影响到测试的结果,进而影响测试效度。被测人②的心理状态是其中很重要但是很容易被忽视的因素之一,这是一个非常值得关注研究的领域,不仅关系到心理测试技术的发展,也关系到司法领域人权和司法公正问题。     

Predicting motor vehicle crash involvement from a personality measure and a driving knowledge test

Typically, safety‐related driver education programs are aimed at changing knowledge of vehicle operation rules and regulations. However, vehicle crashes are as likely to be related to driver personality variables as they are to the knowledge of vehicle operation and rules and regulations. In a study with 48 licensed drivers, crashes were found to be significantly correlated with conscientiousness, a five‐factor model personality dimension, but not with scores on a driving knowledge test. It would appear that prevention efforts should also be directed at changing conscientiousness‐related behaviors, including an emphasis on goal‐setting, and following rules and regulations.     

A Conceptual Framework for Addressing Psychological Process in the Development of the Terrorist

A conceptual framework is presented for addressing psychological issues in the development of the terrorist. In particular, the authors suggest that viewing terrorism as a process may lead not only to better conceptual development in analyses of the terrorist, but may also lead to the development of more practical and efficient counterterrorism initiatives. Additionally, viewing terrorism in this way may finally lead to the formation of a clear and unambiguous position for psychology within an interdisciplinary approach to analyses of both terrorism and the terrorist.