State and local law enforcement response to transnational crime

This report, using the results of the survey and new research, identifies some next steps to providing State and local law enforcement with tools to identify and respond to transnational crime.... The second section [excerpted here] is a literature review of the current state of the field in identifying and responding to transnational crime at the State and local level. This section provides a context for the interpretation of the results of this study....     

Quantification of the subpubic angle in South Africans

Due to the high crime rate in South Africa, forensic anthropologists are increasingly approached to aid in the identification of skeletonized remains, with sex and population affinity assignment being some of the most critical tasks they face. For over a century, the pelvis has been known to be one of the most sexually dimorphic bones of the human body and the subpubic angle is one of the most accurate, albeit scarcely quantified, features thereof. Hence, the aim of this study was to quantify the size of the subpubic angle and compare it between male and female South Africans of African (black) and European (white) descent. One hundred and forty five (145) pelves were selected, consisting of 68 white (43 male and 25 female) and 77 black South Africans (44 male and 33 female), from the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons housed at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Each of the pelves were articulated and placed into a custom built stand for photographing. Measures of the subpubic angle from these digital images were subjected to numerous statistical analyses. Results indicated that significant differences exist between the sexes, as well as between the two population groups. For black individuals it was found that males generally possessed a subpubic angle of 74.9° or less, with larger values being indicative of the female sex. For white individuals, subpubic angles of 81.4° and less indicated males whilst larger values indicated females, with an average accuracy of 86% for both population groups. These results illustrate the advantages of using the subpubic angle to assist in the estimation of sex and population affinity and also reinforce the need for population specific parameters to be applied.     

African American Caregivers and Substance Abuse in Child Welfare: Identification of Multiple Risk Profiles

Despite the strong correlation between caregiver substance abuse and child maltreatment, little information exists to understand the typology of African American caregivers with substance abuse problems in the child welfare system. Research shows African American caregivers contend with multiple problems stemming from substance abuse. Unfortunately, we do not yet know how to best tailor resources to be responsive to varying groups of African American caregivers. Using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW), this investigation tested for distinct multivariate profiles among a subset of African American caregivers with substance abuse problems (n=258). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to classify caregivers, and five classes were identified among this high risk sample - each with distinct risk profiles. Based on these findings, we discuss implications for tailored practices to enhance the safety and stability of children involved with child welfare.     

EU DEVELOPMENTS IN IP, IT AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS LAW

This is the latest edition of Baker & McKenzie’s column on recent developments in EC law relating to IP, IT and Telecommunications. This article is updated for each edition of this Journal to reflect those developments on a European level which are considered important for practitioners, students and academics in a wide range of information technology, E-commerce, telecommunications and intellectual property areas. It cannot be exhaustive but intends to address the important points. For clarity, developments are not always kept on the table once finalized, readers should revert to earlier issues/academic texts for legislation which is more than six months old. This is a reference guide, and links to outside websites are included where possible. No responsibility is assumed for the accuracy of information contained in these links.     

The relationship of sex role to physical and psychological health

This study examined the relationship of sex-role typology, medical and psychiatric symptomatology, and personality functioning in adolescents. Seventy-nine males and 101 females with an average age of 18.3 were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), Offer Self Image Questionnaire (OSIQ), Self Rating Depression Scale (SRDS), and Cornell Medical Index (CMI). In comparison to males, females reported significantly more medical and psychiatric symptomatology, including depression. Females were also found to have more concern and empathy for others and a better developed superego. They reported greater involvement in making future plans and were more conservative in their sexual attitudes. Sex-role typology yielded no significant differences on the medical and psychiatric scales, but consistent differences were found on the OSIQ, a measure of adolescent personality functioning. In general, the results indicated that androgynous teenagers in every case differed from the undifferentiated ones, with the masculine and feminine groups occupying a mid-position. Androgynous individuals always showed a more favorable adjustment. Undifferentiated individuals had a poorer defensive structure, less adequate coping mechanisms and affective integration, more confusion about body boundaries, and more difficulty in object relations. Androgynous individuals, in short, possessed adaptive capabilities and resources, such as effective coping techniques, emotional integration, communication skills, and a well-defined self-concept (i.e., ego strength and a high level of psychological integration). Since these results were obtained on a measure constructed solely to assess adolescent functioning, it seems possible to screen and identify adolescents who may be entering adulthood lacking the emotional, social, and occupational capacity to function in an optimal fashion.Received Ph.D. from University of Rhode Island. Current interests are adjustive dimensions of sex role in adolescents, adolescent psychopathology and psychotherapy.Currently pursuing a doctorate in human development at the University of Maryland. Holds an M.A. in clinical psychology from George Mason University. Interests include sex-role development, determination of psychological test parameters of anorexia nervosa.Completing an M.A. in clinical psychology at George Mason University. Besides sex-role and social dimensions, interests center on adolescent psychotherapy.     

Adolescent autonomy and parental stress

The present investigation explores the relationship between adolescent autonomy and parental stress among families with children aged 10–17. Independent measures were obtained from parents and children. Parents of early adolescent children reported significantly more stress than parents of preadolescents or middle adolescents. Parents of first-born children reported significantly more stress than did more experienced parents. Although mothers and fathers reported comparable levels of overall parental stress, their stress was, in part, the result of different factors. Fathers reported higher levels of stress if their children reported not following their advice and being involved in deviant activities. For mothers, stress was significantly related to their children's desire for greater autonomy. Emotional detachment was not a significant predictor of parental stress for either mothers or fathers. Implications of the findings for the parent-child relationship during adolescence are discussed.Received Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1984. Research interests include parent-adolescent relations and the work-family interface.Research interests include home-school relations and parenting.Received Ph.D. in 1978 from the Pennsylvania State University. Research interests are in adult development and aging.