Search

The relationship between amphetamine use and aggressive or violent behaviour is unclear. This review examined laboratory data collected in humans, who were administered an acute dose of amphetamine or methamphetamine, in order to investigate the link between amphetamines and aggression. It is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019127711). Included in the analysis are data from twenty-eight studies. Behavioural and/or subjective measures of aggression were assessed in one thousand and sixty-nine research participants, with limited amphetamine-use histories, following a single amphetamine dose (0-35 mg). The available published evidence indicates that neither amphetamine nor methamphetamine acutely increased aggression as assessed by traditional laboratory measures. Future research should assess supratherapeutic amphetamine doses as well as include a broader range of multiple aggression measures, facilitating simultaneous assessment of the various components that comprise this complex, multifaceted construct.

Purpose Criminal law distinguishes aggravating factors such as “heinous,” “atrocious,” “cruel” (HAC) or “depraved” as features of a crime that warrant more severe sentencing. This review examines whether these aggravators are fairly applied, and how they can be refined to best serve justice. Methods and results Current HAC statutes, and appellate state and Supreme Court cases, were comprehensively reviewed to determine how these statutes are interpreted and applied. The review revealed discrepancies in definitions across states, and descriptions that were often vague and would potentially lead to inconsistent application. These shortcomings highlight a need for evidence-based definitions that guide inexperienced jurors, provide judges and juries with a fair and consistent process for making such decisions, are easily applied to a range of case fact-patterns, and are informed by elements of depraved crime that society deems relevant. Conclusions HAC aggravators, despite efforts to refine them in response to court rulings, do not prevent impressionistic conclusions affected by bias. These aggravators remain vulnerable to arbitrary application. A Depravity Standard informed by a reference point of felony cases and public input would assist the trier of fact to assess depravity in crime in accordance with societal standards, and improve the fairness of sentencing.

Purpose The Depravity Standard is an evidence-based guide developed to operationalize an approach to distinguish the worst of crimes in a consistent manner that minimizes bias. This phase of the research was designed to validate the Depravity Standard items and develop a scoring mechanism. Methods and results Inter-rater reliability was performed by two groups of trained raters, with each of the 25 Depravity Standard items finding high agreement. To distinguish the relative severity of each item as they may occur in a murder case, an online public survey was devised. U.S. participants (n = 1273) rated each item on a scale of 1–100 (100 = most depraved). The items were then applied to 770 case files of adjudicated murder convictions to establish content validity. 582 cases were retained for further analysis, and merged with survey data to establish a percentile scoring system. Conclusions The Depravity Standard is validated for application to murder cases to inform the presence or absence of the 25 items of depravity. It enables assessment of relative depravity of a perpetrator's intent, victim choice, actions, and attitudes. Application of the Depravity Standard relies on evidence, minimizes bias and prejudice, and promotes fairness in sentencing and release decisions.

Purpose Aggravating factors in United States criminal codes, such as “heinous,” “atrocious,” “cruel,” “vile,” or “depraved,” distinguish elements of a crime that warrant more severe sentencing. These terms remain vaguely defined and arbitrarily applied. The Depravity Standard research was designed to develop a measure of societal standards for what elements make a crime depraved. Methods and results Thematic analysis of over 100 appellate court decisions deliberating depravity in crime was performed. Additional input drew from 91 professionals and students in forensic disciplines. 26 items reflecting depravity emerged for further study. Next, a survey of U.S. participants (n = 25,096) was conducted to gauge public consensus for depravity in these items. All items received majority support for being somewhat or especially depraved (69.5%–99.1% agreement). A final set of items was then applied to 770 murder cases to refine the definitions and qualifying and disqualifying examples for each item. Conclusions Case data from 770 murder cases informed the development of a Depravity Standard of 25 items with detailed examples of the intent, actions, victim choice, and attitudes, distinct to what society endorses as the worst of crimes. The items draw content validity from validation studies using actual cases provided by U.S. jurisdictions.

Objective Fetal abduction by maternal evisceration (FAMAE) cases are statistically rare but warrant closer scrutiny as planned homicides. This study reports lessons regarding abductor modus operandi, motivation, intent, planning, and the dynamics in the attack to inform public safety. Methods The fifteen FAMAE cases reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children from 1987 to 2011 were reviewed. Court documents for the cases were retrieved, and investigators and attorneys were called to verify information where necessary. Results All abductors were female, between 19 and 40 years of age. Seven stages of the structure of the crime were identified: targeting and making contact with a pregnant woman, securing weapons, determining the location, subduing the mother, securing the newborn, disposing of the victim mother’s body, and informing others that they birthed a child. Conclusion The case histories analyzed demonstrate how FAMAE perpetrators target an unsuspecting pregnant woman, and entrap and murder her in the service of fetal kidnapping. Awareness of FAMAE promotes public safety from those who would do anything to claim they have borne a child.