BlogPsychopathic LabelOctober 14, 2019
Berryessa and Wohlstetter (2019) examined the psychopathic label and effects on punishment outcomes. These authors found that the lay public, but no those in the criminal justice system, may subscribe to both general and specific labeling effects for psychopathy when it comes to punishment. These authors noted this has potential implications for jury sentencing in both capital and in noncapital cases. Comparing Solo and Co offending Female Sexual OffendersOctober 14, 2019
Females only account for approximately 2 to 12% of all sexual offenses. Miller and Marshall (2019) examined 225 incarcerated FSO's and found that solo offenders are more likely to have male, unrelated victims, score higher on dominance and aggression, and are more likely to generally recidivate. Solo verus co offending status was not a significant predictor for sexual recidivism. Montwheeler EffectOctober 14, 2019
Highly recommend The Montwheeler Effect: Examining the personalty disorder exclusion in Oregon's insanity defense (Joseph Langerman, 2018) Intensity and Timing of Sexual Offending TreatmentOctober 14, 2019
According to the literature inconsistent findings have been found as to the impact of sexual offending treatment. Day et. al (2019) reviewed the research and "concluded that insufficient evidence currently exists to articulate best practice in this area and there is pressing need to collect empirical evidence about the effectiveness of different intensity treatments offered at different stages of sentence." Child Pornography Offender Risk ToolOctober 14, 2019
Validation study of the CPORT (2019): The CPORT is a 7 item tool to examine the likelihood of sexual reoffending over a 5-year follow-up period. CPORT was published by Seto and Eke in 2015 and is the first child pornography specific risk assessment tool. In 2019, Eke, Helmus, and Seto completed a validation study of which found similar results as the development study/sample. Result suggest the CPORT is a valid measure of future sexual offending behavior including child pornography. Crossover Sexual OffendingOctober 16, 2013
Kleban, Chesin, Jeglic, and Mercado (2012) found that sex offenders remain relatively stable with regard to victim gender. However, sex offenders are much more variable in their selection of victims based on age and relationship status.
Possession of Child Pornography and Likelihood of Contact OffensesOctober 9, 2013
Long, Alison, and McManus (2012) found that the quantity of indecent images of children discriminated dual and noncontact offenders, with the latter having significanlty more images, opposite of some past research. Does Treatment Volunteerism Effect Recidivism?October 2, 2013
Grady, Edwards, Pettus-Davis, and Abramson (2012) found that sex offenders who volunteerd for participation in sex offender treatment did not demonstrate any difference in recidivism rates when compared to sex offenders who did not volunteer to participate in treatment. Meaning, an offender's proclaimed wish to particiapte in treatment does not translate into a reduction in rates of recidivism. Gender Differences in Prosecution Acceptance of Child Sexual Abuse CasesOctober 2, 2013
Edelson (2012) found that cases involving male victims were significantly less likely to be accepted for prosecution than cases involving female victims. Reliability of Sex Offender Risk Assessment ToolsJanuary 10, 2013
Risk assessment measures are important tools used in the evaluation of sexually violent predators (SVP's). Although they are only one source of data used to inform expert opinions that are offered in SVP committment proceedings (as well as other legal arenas), they are instruments used when the stakes are high and need to be as reliable and valid as possible. Miller, Kimonis, Otto, Kline, and Asserman (2012) examined the interrater reliability of three popular risk assessment tools: the Static-99, ... Impact of Incarceration on Inmates with HIVMay 22, 2012
Incarceration may significantly interfere with adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy Employment for Adults with Autism Spectrum DisordersMay 22, 2012
Risk Assessment of DD/MR Adult Male Sex OffendersFebruary 16, 2012
Child Pornography Offenders & Contact Sexual OffensesJanuary 24, 2012
Seto is considered the guru in the field of child pornography research. He recently published "Contact Sexual Offending by Men With Online Sexual Offenses" (2011), a meta-analysis of 24 previous studies, one of which is the Butner Study. Results are as follows: PAI Antisocial Features scale as proxy for psychopathyOctober 31, 2011
More recently, research has been conducted regarding the validity of using the PAI as a measure of psychopathy (Douglas et al., 2007). As stated above, using the PCL-R is the current standard in the field. However, due to the limitations of the instrument, there is an increased emphasis on using the PAI in place of the PCL-R (Douglas et al., 2007). PAI & Female Sex OffendersOctober 28, 2011
Presently, only one published study exists examining the PAI results of female sex offenders. Turner et al. (2008) researched the characteristics of 90 female sex offenders regarding offense and personality traits. Based on these author’s results, they found three distinct personality-based subtypes of female sex offenders by self-report PAI scores. The first subtype had subclinical psychopathology levels but had elevated scores on scales measuring substance abuse problems (n = 30, ALC M = ... PAI & Sex OffendersOctober 23, 2011
Psychopathology and maladaptive personality functioning play a significant role in sexual offending (Laulik, Allam, & Sheridan, 2007). Edens et al. (2001) stressed that personality disorders are relevant in forensic and correctional settings because of the inclusion of personality disorder diagnoses into various legal statutes and case law, specifically noting the Civil Commitment of Sexually Violent Predators Act, 1999. Based on the current state of legal affairs, it has become increasingly ... Psychopathy & Sex OffendersOctober 21, 2011
Similar to female offenders and psychopathy, research on psychopathy and sex offenders is limited. In addition, the usefulness of the PCL-R and its derivatives is debatable (Hare, 2004). Hare reported that psychopathy is more strongly associated with general and violent offending than with sexual offending. This may be a result of child molesters not being psychopaths, rather, generalized offenders who happen to also commit sexual offenses (Hare, 2004). Psychopathy & Female OffendersOctober 17, 2011
There is a paucity of research on the validity of using the PCL-R or its derivatives with female offenders (Salekin, Rogers, & Sewell, 1997). These authors elaborated that pronounced gender differences for psychopathy and APD have been observed, despite the limited research. Some of the gender differences include later onset of psychopathy and APD for females than males; females exhibit less overt aggression than males; and females have higher rates of comorbid psychiatric disorders than males. ... Limitations of the PCL-ROctober 12, 2011
Although there is an abundance of research suggesting that the PCL-R is the “gold standard”, it has some limitations. First, the PCL-R is highly labor intensive to administer and score. Requirements for accurate scoring include a trained examiner, a semi-structured clinical interview, and extensive review of all available institutional file data. This often results in a trained mental health professional spending three to four hours to administer and score the test, which can be costly ... Psychopathy & Sexual RecidivismOctober 9, 2011
Some researchers have found significant relationships between psychopathy and sexual recidivism (Hanson & Harris, 2000; Hemphill, Hare, & Wong, 1998; Hildebrand, de Ruiter, & de Vogel, 2004; Salekin et al., 1996) whereas other researchers have found competing results (Barbaree, Seto, Langton, & Peacock, 2001; Olver & Wong, 2006). Barbaree et al. (2001) found that the PCL-R predicted general and serious recidivism but not sexual recidivism. Similarly, Olver and Wong (2006) found ... Psychopathy & RecidivismOctober 6, 2011
More recent debate and research has focused on the use of specific assessments of offender personality traits believed to correlate with offender recidivism, in particular the PCL-R and its derivatives. Salekin, Rogers, and Sewell (1996) reviewed 18 studies, yielding 29 effect sizes, that investigated the relationship between the PCL/ PCL-R and violent and nonviolent recidivism. These authors divided the studies into the following groups: 1) predictions of violent recidivism and institutional violence, ... Neuropsychological Impact of Childhood Abuse/TraumaJuly 29, 2011
Childhood maltreatment is associated with alterations of the biological stess systems (i.e., sympathetic nervous system, serotonin system, and limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis) which negatively effects brain development and causes delays in cognitive, language, and academic skills.Those who experienced childhood maltreatment had elevated PTSD, depression, personality disorders, conduct problems, attention difficulties, suicidal ideation, and substance abuse. As a result, there is an urgent ... Effective and Ethical Expert TestimonyJuly 12, 2011
Internet Sex OffendersJuly 11, 2011
Suspect Interviews & False ConfessionsFebruary 24, 2011
The principle objective of police interviewing is to gather relevant information about the suspected or reported crime. There are two types of interview techniques: the Reid technique, primarily used in the United States; and the PEACE model, primarily used in the United Kingdom. Researchers have expressed concerns regarding the Reid technique due to its guilt-presumptive and confrontational aspects, and thus, recommend the use of the PEACE model. False confessions have been associated with manipulative/coercive ... Restoration of Competency to Stand TrialFebruary 22, 2011
The majority of the research to date has focused on the evaluation of competency to stand trial, while ignoring the issue of restoration of competency to stand trial. Two areas that have been research regarding restoration are: the prediction of restorability and the investigation of various treatment programs for restoration. Women accused of sexual offensesFebruary 22, 2011
Research regarding sex offenders has increased significantly in recent years, but the vast majority of the literature focuses on understanding the characteristics, risk factors, and effective treatment methods of male sex offenders, while almost completely ignoring women charged with sexual offenses. In fact, before 1986 there was no official data regarding female sex offenders. In this article, we offer an overview of current data and perspectives on women charged with sexual offenses and some ... Sexual offending and the brainFebruary 15, 2011
Understanding Sexual Offending and the Brain: From the Basics to the State of the Art |