Association for Methodology and Documentation in Psychiatry Profiles Predict Later Risk for Criminal Behavior and Violent Crimes in Former Inpatients with Affective Disorder*

Abstract: Few studies have investigated criminal and violent behavior in patients with affective disorders. We reviewed the national crime register for records of criminal offenses committed by 1561 patients with affective disorders and studied the predictive value of certain psychopathological symptoms assessed with the Association for Methodology and Documentation in Psychiatry (AMDP) system concerning future criminal behavior. Sixty‐five (4.2%) patients had been convicted in the 7–12 years after discharge (307 cases). Patients with the AMDP syndrome mania had a significantly higher risk for later criminal behavior. The combination with the hostility syndrome further increased the risk. These findings are in line with previous data indicating a higher risk for later criminal behavior in patients with a manic/bipolar disorder compared to depressive disorder. As previously demonstrated in another sample of schizophrenic patients, the AMDP syndromes mania (and hostility) is associated with a higher risk of later criminal behavior.     

Speech Watermarking: An Approach for the Forensic Analysis of Digital Telephonic Recordings*

Abstract: In this article, the authors discuss the problem of forensic authentication of digital audio recordings. Although forensic audio has been addressed in several articles, the existing approaches are focused on analog magnetic recordings, which are less prevalent because of the large amount of digital recorders available on the market (optical, solid state, hard disks, etc.). An approach based on digital signal processing that consists of spread spectrum techniques for speech watermarking is presented. This approach presents the advantage that the authentication is based on the signal itself rather than the recording format. Thus, it is valid for usual recording devices in police‐controlled telephone intercepts. In addition, our proposal allows for the introduction of relevant information such as the recording date and time and all the relevant data (this is not always possible with classical systems). Our experimental results reveal that the speech watermarking procedure does not interfere in a significant way with the posterior forensic speaker identification.     

NEIGHBORHOOD STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS,INDIVIDUAL-LEVEL ATTITUDES,AND YOUTHS' CRIME REPORTING INTENTIONS*

Although the “stop snitching” phenomenon has brought recent attention to crime reporting, researchers have recognized for a long time the importance of this issue. Early studies focused on individual-level factors related to reporting, but recently, researchers have begun to examine neighborhood-level predictors. Most of these studies, however, omit key individual-level predictors of reporting and provide relatively little insight into the individual-level processes through which neighborhood context might affect reporting. This study uses survey data from a multisite, school-based study to examine whether neighborhood structural characteristics and individual-level attitudes and experiences are related to youths’ intentions to report crime. In addition, we assess whether neighborhood characteristics influence reporting via their effect on individual-level attitudes and experiences. We find that neighborhood poverty has an inverse relationship with crime reporting intentions and that numerous individual-level measures are associated with reporting, including attitudes toward the police, delinquency, and perceptions of the community. Importantly, the effects of neighborhood characteristics are reduced when youths’ attitudes and experiences are included in the model. Taken together, our findings suggest that neighborhood context might affect reporting by shaping the attitudes and experiences of youth.     

关于滥用软件技术保护措施行为的刑法思考

“微软黑屏事件”引发了众多的社会思考,实质上这是一种滥用软件技术保护措施对于用户计算机信息系统安全的损害行为,此种企业“私力救济”型非法制裁个人用户的行为在过去20年内屡次发生,微软公司的行为只是再一次引发了社会的广泛关注。严重的软件技术保护措施滥用行为具有严重的社会危害性,应当由刑法对其进行评价。对于现行刑法体系下如何应对和制裁软件技术保护措施滥用行为,并从刑法面前人人平等层面上来思考信息资料保护体系上的平等原则,进而思考将滥用软件技术保护措施的行为单独入罪化的可能性,有着现实意义。     

论高校贿赂犯罪的侦防对策

贿赂犯罪作为一个古老的社会现象,在中国市场经济日益发达的今天似乎愈演愈烈,甚至渗入被视为象牙塔的教育领域,成为现代法治社会的一大毒瘤,严重影响了创建和谐社会的宏伟目标。笔者在分析中国高等教育系统贿赂犯罪的现状与特点基础上,拟就如何采取侦查和预防对策,提出自己的见解,以期有效地控制高校领域的贿赂犯罪.     

黑恶组织犯罪的初查研判研究

在黑恶组织犯罪案件的侦办过程中,由于此类犯罪操作层面大,取证难,因而大量立案前的调查行为在打黑实践中比比皆是,如对黑恶组织的早期摸排经营,情报信息的甄别审查等。较之检察机关侦办职务犯罪案件的初查制度的日益成熟与规范,立法对黑恶组织犯罪立案前的调查行为并未专门规定,它还处于一个实践概念的层面。黑恶组织犯罪的初查研判在打黑实践中极为关键,是侦查工作顺利开展的基础,是启动黑恶组织犯罪专案侦查的保障。     

反社会人格障碍与暴力犯罪——对郑民生校园杀凶案件心理分析

反社会人格有很强的犯罪倾向,其所引起的违法犯罪行为最多。郑民生的犯罪心理体现了反社会人格犯罪的特点。反社会人格障碍引发的犯罪应当成为犯罪预防的重点。     

Age structure and crime rates: The conflicting evidence

Because arrest rates are especially high for teenagers and young adults, criminologists have long contended that age structure changes affect crime trends. In recent years, however, this belief has been drawn into question because crime has not declined even though high-crime age groups have shrunk. We argue that the age/crime relationship is probably exaggerated because the high arrest rates for younger persons are due partly to their lesser ability to escape arrest, younger persons commit more group crime, and the age structure of victims should be taken into account. We then review 90 studies that regress crime rates on age structure; only a small minority consistently finds significant relationships. Because of methodological problems in this research, one cannot conclude that the age/crime relationship does not exist, but the weight of evidence shows that forecasts based on demographic trends are not likely to be helpful.     

黑社会（性质）组织犯罪的亚文化分析

黑社会（性质）组织本身就是一个亚文化群,其犯罪行为背后具有相应的亚文化特征。旧中国黑社会犯罪的亚文化特征以传统礼教为基础,通过各种形式的载体表现出来,起到聚集组织力量的作用。当前我国的黑社会性质组织犯罪除了具备旧中国黑社会犯罪的一些亚文化特征之外,也呈现出一些新的特点：追求经济利益、积极寻求“保护伞”并逐步向政治领域渗透。为有效防治黑社会性质组织犯罪在我国的蔓延,有必要营造良好的文化氛围,以消除黑社会性质组织犯罪产生的社会文化根源。     

The collation of forensic DNA case data into a multi-dimensional intelligence database

The primary aim of any DNA Database is to link individuals to unsolved offenses and unsolved offenses to each other via DNA profiling. This aim has been successfully realised during the operation of the New Zealand (NZ) DNA Databank over the past five years. The DNA Intelligence Project (DIP), a collaborative project involving NZ forensic and law enforcement agencies, interrogated the forensic case data held on the NZ DNA databank and collated it into a functional intelligence database. This database has been used to identify significant trends which direct Police and forensic personnel towards the most appropriate use of DNA technology. Intelligence is being provided in areas such as the level of usage of DNA techniques in criminal investigation, the relative success of crime scene samples and the geographical distribution of crimes. The DIP has broadened the dimensions of the information offered through the NZ DNA Databank and has furthered the understanding and investigative capability of both Police and forensic scientists. The outcomes of this research fit soundly with the current policies of 'intelligence led policing', which are being adopted by Police jurisdictions locally and overseas.