Assaults in the elderly--a population-based study with victim and perpetrator characteristics

The aim of the present epidemiological study was to investigate characteristics of assaults in the elderly aged 65 years and above from the perspective of the victim and perpetrator. This population-based study included 23,142 assaults (according to §§ 224/226 StGB of German criminal law) that were recorded in Bavaria, Germany, from 1999 to 2005. The population-based ratio of serious crimes of battery for the elderly in comparison with the reference population was markedly lower (0.10; 95% CI: 0.09-0.11) in suspects aged more than 65 years and 0.08 (95% CI: 0.07-0.09) for the injured above 65 years. Elderly perpetrators differed significantly concerning the manner of the assault (p < 0.001). They committed less crimes in urban areas (56.1% vs. 68.8%) and were victimized significantly more in rural areas (p < 0.001; 41.2% vs. 30.2%). Violence in the elderly differs from that of the younger population. Further research is warranted to establish prevention measures.     

Engaging students on the topic of restorative justice and serious offenses

Within contemporary society, there is a prevailing sentiment that our criminal justice system leaves much to be desired in its responses to the offender, the victim, and the community. As a potential answer to these conceded shortcomings, restorative justice has earned significant recognition and consideration. While restorative justice principles and programs have received increasing support, for many individuals this is limited to cases involving relatively ‘minor,’ first time, and/or juvenile offenses. When it comes to situations with more ‘serious’ and violent offenses, acceptance of restorative responses dissipates. Gaining broader acceptance can be particularly challenging with current college students. With many students raised in the ‘get tough on crime’ era, embracing this alternative approach to serious crimes can be a difficult paradigm shift. This article will provide a framework for approaching the feasibility of applying restorative justice with serious offenses in the college course. In addition, suggestions for readings, projects, and assignments that will further assist in effectively engaging students with these issues will be provided.     

Insane Sex Offenders: Psychiatric and Legal Characteristics of Sexual Offenders Found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

There is little known about sexual offenders hospitalized under forensic commitment statutes such as not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI). We conducted a chart review to delineate the demographic, clinical, and legal characteristics of NGRI sexual offenders (n = 68) committed to the California Department of State Hospitals—Napa, including 41 found NGRI for a sexual offense and 27 found NGRI for a nonsexual offense. The two groups did not differ significantly in their demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, victim characteristics, or recidivism risk as measured by the Static‐99R. Those found NGRI for a sexual offense were older at the time of their first criminal and first violent offense, younger at the time of their committing offense, and had fewer prior total convictions and sexual offense convictions. These findings may indicate that sexual offenders found NGRI for a sexual offense are less antisocial than those found NGRI for a nonsexual offense.     

重大环境污染事故罪能否采纳严格责任

重大环境污染事故的频繁发生,使传统刑法理论上过错责任原则难以适应新的形势要求,不足以有效地保护环境和人们生命财产的安全。我国对重大环境污染事故罪应引入严格责任制度,这在刑法理论和司法实践上都具有重大的价值和意义。     

对重点单位安全保卫工作的思考

重点单位历来就是保卫工作的重中之重。当前重点单位案件多发,暴露出其安全保卫工作的不足。对此,当务之急是以贯彻《企业事业单位内部治安保卫条例》为契机,针对保卫工作中遇到的新情况拓展防范思路、挖掘内外潜力,提高保卫工作水平,确保重点单位的安全。     

重大突发事件在我国产生的原因

重大突发事件的出现是不幸的。人们无法忘记灾难带来的痛苦,但更应反思灾难背后的隐忧,导致灾难性突发事件爆发的根源才是最大的祸端。探究重大突发事件在我国产生的原因,既有主客观方面的必然因素,也有一些偶然性很大、不可预见的自然因素。     

中国新型农村合作医疗制度设计的实证分析--基于贵州、内蒙、陕西试点(旗)县的调研

在我国,占总人口15%的城市人口享用着2/3的卫生保健服务,而占总人口85%的农村人口却只能享用1/3的医疗卫生保健服务,农村居民正在沦为最大的自费医疗群体.农村医疗问题的解决有赖于农村医疗卫生保障制度的建立.自2003年,我国开始在全国范围内开展新型农村合作医疗试点,为最终科学建立新型农村合作医疗制度进行局部试验.各试点地区应在充分考虑农民的利益的基础上进行制度设计,如选择科学的账户模式,合理确定报销方案,建立大病医疗救助制度等,从而保障农村合作医疗政策效果的顺利实现.     

COPS GRANTS AND CRIME REVISITED*

Using 6 years of panel data, Zhao, Scheider, and Thurman (2002) found that funding from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), reduced property and violent crime in large U.S. cities. We merged their COPS data with 11 years of panel data from a sample of 189 large cities, such that the period before the COPS program was covered. We also controlled for pre‐existing effects on crime of police spending. Finally, we performed various robustness checks and explored state‐specific effects of COPS spending. Our findings suggest that COPS spending had little to no effect on crime.     

重大责任事故罪立法完善之探讨

重大责任事故罪是实践中常见多发的一种过失犯罪,然而我国现行刑法对该罪的构成要件的设计及法定刑的配置方面都存在缺陷,本文就此相关问题进行了探讨,并重新设置了构成要件和法定刑。     

用人单位以“严重违纪＂解除劳动关系的适用问题

用人单位单方解除劳动合同的主原因，往往是“严重违纪”。因此，正确适用“严重违纪”，对用人单位、劳动者与执法者都具有其重意义。