The quality of written expert testimony in alleged child sexual abuse: An empirical study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to empirically evaluate written expert testimonies in cases of suspected child sexual abuse in Sweden. A total of 121 expert testimonies were rated with an instrument developed for the study, the SQX-12 (Gumpert et al., 2001) which is a 12-item checklist aimed to reflect consensus-established concepts of quality. Reports from different professional groups were compared, as were reports produced before and after the 1991 publication of national guidelines. The results suggested that the reports produced by professionals using statement analysis generally were of higher quality than reports written by professionals from child- and adolescent psychiatry. There was a slight increase in report quality, as measured by the SQX total score, over the studied years. However, it is concluded that the overall quality of written expert testimony on child credibility still does not reach the recommended level in Sweden.     

Outcome measurement in forensic mental health research: an evaluation

Abstract

Measuring change resulting from healthcare interventions is critical to evaluating their usefulness. The choice of outcome measure is an important part of such evaluations and is driven by assumptions about what is likely to change and how best to capture this. Despite its importance, forensic mental health has paid little attention to determining which are the best measures of outcome. This study used a panel of relevant professionals to (i) assess the relative importance of different areas of potential outcome measurement and (ii) evaluate specific instruments used currently as outcome measures in forensic mental health research. Although a wide range of potential outcomes were endorsed as appropriate, few corresponding instruments have been used consistently. Only three psychiatric instruments deemed by our panel as feasible, relevant and psychometrically adequate have been used in five or more studies (the Beck Depression Inventory; the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90–Revised). Significant measurement gaps were noted in areas such as social and emotional functioning. Although instruments exist that could capture most areas, none were sufficiently developed for routine use as outcomes. Further research to develop robust, sensitive and diverse outcome measures is needed. This is an essential precursor to extending the evidence base for forensic mental health interventions.     

Risk,reconviction rates and pro-offending attitudes for child molesters in a complete geographical area of London

Abstract

The study reports on all convicted child molesters in an inner city area over seven years, half of whom received a community treatment package. The average time at risk in the community was three years. There were 17 ‘failures’: subjects who were either breached for non-compliance, or reconvicted for general, violent or sexual offences. Historical, rather than cognitive variables appeared to be associated with failure. Key factors were a history of being sexually victimised and previous sexual/violent convictions.     

肩关节损伤致肢体功能障碍程度评价方法比较

目的探讨能客观反映肩关节功能障碍对肢体功能影响的评价方法。方法通过用我国《道路交通事故受伤人员伤残评定》（简称＂《道标》＂）的权重指数法与美国《永久残损评定指南》（Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment,GEPI）（简称GEPI法）,对133例肩关节损伤后伤残评定案例进行回顾性评价;并用两种评价方法对肩关节不同运动方向及不同活动度对上肢功能影响进行全方位的比较。结果 133例肩关节功能障碍案例,权重指数法达到伤残的总比例高于GEPI法;但在功能丧失不同比例段两者有差异。差异的原因在于,在GEPI法中,肩关节不同运动方向所占的权重不同,前屈上举与外展上举对于肩关节功能相对重要,并考虑关节功能位对肢体障碍程度的影响;而权重指数法,上肢功能的关系与关节活动度呈简单的线性关系,与关节活动方向及功能位无关。结论 GEPI法比权重指数法能更能客观地反映肩关节功能障碍对肢体功能丧失的影响程度。     

Performance Review and Assessment of Public Managers: Some Evidence from Local Governments in Italy

Performance review and assessment (PRA) of public managers has been adopted in several countries, but we still lack detailed knowledge of what affects the effectiveness of PRA systems. Based on interview data and on a survey of Italian public managers, this article aims to investigate this issue by developing and testing a preliminary model of perceived effectiveness of PRA. The results suggest that PRA perceived effectiveness seems related to the clarity of the organizational design, the quality of the PRA process, the involvement of public managers in the PRA process, and the use of PRA results for tightening control.     

External and Internal Consistency of User Evaluations

User evaluations may be useful to improve the quality of public services if they are consistent with service characteristics (i.e., external consistency) and user satisfaction (i.e., internal consistency). This article analyses the internal and external consistency of user evaluations of water services in Nicaragua. Internal consistency is assessed through item-total correlations, Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and factor analysis. External consistency is analyzed through ordered logit and regression models. Results show a considerable degree of internal consistency. However, user evaluations are only partially consistent with service performance as personal characteristics also influence individual perceptions of the overall service, water pressure, system reliability, and water quality.     

Customer Satisfaction Theory in Public Administration Education: Revisiting Student Evaluation of Teaching

How has the current austerity changed the public welfare organizations’ performance landscape in modern welfare states? Can public managers make their organizations adapt to the new performance landscape shaped by the austerity? These questions are answered on the basis of the Danish case of the provision of the services to the citizens with disabilities and/or social disadvantages. The result has implications, especially for public management in praxis. The case study shows that the managers’ most important managerial tool to make their organizations adapt to the new landscape is the challenging and decision-oriented dialogue.     

政府公众满意度测评问题研究的进展与展望

20世纪90年代以来,以"新公共管理"和"新公共服务"为导向的政府再造改革浪潮在世界各国相继开展。进入新世纪,我国也确立了以构建服务型政府为基本导向的政府改革思路。在此背景下,公众对政府服务的满意度测评成为学术界研究的热点。文章总结梳理了国外政府公众满意度测评研究的脉络,分析当前我国对这一领域研究的轨迹与趋势,并对推动政府公众满意度问题的理论研究和实践探索作出了展望。     

地方党政领导班子和领导干部实绩考核研究

建立并完善促进科学发展的地方党政领导班子和干部实绩考核评价体系,对于推进地方党政领导干部工作的科学化、民主化、制度化,具有十分重要的意义。本文从地方党政部门的工作实际出发,在中央相关文件的指导下,运用“平衡计分卡”这一绩效管理工具构建了适用于地方党政领导班子和领导干部实绩考核的框架模型。用北京市延庆县的实例阐述了地方党政领导班子和领导干部实绩考核从绩效目标到绩效指标的转承过程,以期为地方党政领导班子和领导干部的实绩考核提供借鉴。     

论行政良心的基本问题

加强行政伦理建设必须研究行政良心的基本问题。行政良心是公务员对自己职业行为善恶性质的心理评价机制,其评价对象不仅仅是行政行为的实际效果,也包括行为的主观动机所体现着的行政品德。行政良心具有促使公务员产生职业道德行为,形成行政道德人格的重要功能。