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It is indicated that the current Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine dated April 13, 2012 for the first time at the legislative level established such a principle of criminal proceedings as the reasonableness of terms. Yes, in accordance with Article 28 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine during criminal proceedings, each procedural action or procedural decision must be performed or made within a reasonable time The article is devoted to the analysis of criminal proceedings' principle "reasonable terms". During criminal proceedings, each procedural action or procedural decision must be performed or adopted within a reasonable terms. Terms that are objectively necessary for the execution of procedural actions and the adoption of procedural decisions are considered reasonable. Reasonable terms cannot exceed the terms of execution of individual procedural actions or adoption of individual procedural decisions provided for by the CPC of Ukraine. The pre-trial investigation is carried out within a reasonable terms by the prosecutor, the investigating judge (with regard to the time frame for consideration of issues falling within his competence), and the court conducts the court proceedings. The criteria for determining the reasonableness of criminal proceedings terms are: 1) the complexity of criminal proceedings, which is determined taking into account the number of suspects, accused persons and criminal offenses in respect of which the proceedings are being carried out, the volume and specifics of procedural actions necessary for conducting a pre-trial investigation, etc.; 2) behavior of participants in criminal proceedings; 3) the manner in which investigators, prosecutors, and courts exercise their powers. Criminal proceedings against a person in custody, a minor or a criminal offense committed against a minor must be carried out immediately and considered in court as a matter of priority. It is important to ensure the reasonableness of criminal proceedings terms to study this principle not only in science, but also in judicial practice, in particular, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights. Adhering to the reasonableness of the terms of criminal proceedings will contribute to the exercise of a person's right to judicial protection, will ensure an effective and prompt investigation and trial, and thus will ensure the fulfillment of criminal proceedings' tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the study of the peculiarities of the content of early release on parole as a comprehensive criminal law remedy. It is stated that the functional purpose of conditional early release on parole from serving a sentence is to achieve the goals necessary for society. From the point of view of the instrumental theory of law, it is determined that early release on parole from serving a sentence constitutes a specific system of criminal law means by which the goals of criminal law regulation are achieved. According to the information and psychological orientation, such legal means are divided into stimulating and restrictive. It is found that legal facts, subjective rights, legitimate interests, benefits and incentives are the forms of manifestation of legal means-incentives. It is substantiated that legal incentives, directly orienting an individual to achieve beneficial consequences for him/her, are the most powerful incentive factor, and their application in the case of early release on parole from serving a sentence may be associated with both ordinary lawful behavior which does not exceed the general requirements and excessive performance of duties by a convicted person and is expressed in the form of elimination of restrictions determined by the criminal sentence applicable to a convicted person. The article emphasizes that legal remedies-restrictions are associated with unfavorable conditions for realization of interests of subjects, are focused on negative legal motivation and reduction of negative activity of subjects of law, and their forms of manifestation are legal facts, prohibitions, suspensions, legal obligations, penalties, etc. A legal restriction on early release on parole from serving a sentence is a prohibition in the form of a passive legal obligation of a convicted person not to commit any new criminal offense during the unexpired part of the previously imp imposed sentence. It is generalized that legal means-incentives and legal means-restrictions should be considered in an inseparable interrelation, since they are paired legal categories, i.e., internally dialectically interrelated and mutually supporting each other in the process of criminal law aw regulation. Thus, the author concludes that the instrumental and legal nature of early release on parole from serving a sentence as a complex criminal law tool is dialectically complex, since it combines directly opposite and at the same time internally unified criminal law me means of influencing social relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the qualification of crimes in the field of intellectual property. It is noted that the basis of the criminal-legal qualification process is exclusively the criminal law. Only the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides an exhaustive list of criminal offenses, definitions of acts that are not crimes, and characteristics of post-criminal behavior, which in each specific case have their own criminallegal significance. That is why, for the correct application of the criminal law, it is necessary to have deep knowledge, a systematic understanding and a clear and unanimous interpretation of all elements of the composition of a criminal offense, acts that are not criminal, as well as certain post-criminal behavior, if they were not disclosed by the legislator in the law itself. That is, the qualification of a criminal offense in the field of intellectual property becomes a logical continuation of the previous criminal-legal qualification only when the result of the latter turns out to be the recognition of a certain act as criminally illegal. In addition, it was established that during the criminal-legal qualification, first of all, it should be determined whether the committed act is provided for in a certain prohibitive article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Then it is necessary to establish the conformity of the signs of this actually committed act with all the signs of a criminal offense in the field of intellectual property, which are provided for by the specified article of the criminal law. The author also emphasized the fact that an important aspect of the qualification of criminal offenses in the field of intellectual property is their combination with other criminal acts. That is why the accuracy of the qualification of the investigated criminal offenses must be achieved regardless of whether it will affect the future punishment or in some other way in the future will affect the legal position of the suspect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the first episode of a series of four discussions on the differences between males and females, in apparently non‐andrological fields. You will read the transcript of discussions that actually took place at the Endocrinology Unit in Modena, Italy, in the form of the aporetic dialogues of ancient Greece. In this episode, the role of testosterone in gender differences in criminal behavior will be explored. The discussants were divided into two groups: group 1, which supports the thesis of a predominant role of testosterone, and group 2, which opposes it. The first group affirmed that both endogenous testosterone and anabolic‐androgenic steroids could trigger aggressive and criminal behavior, regardless of predisposition to psychiatric disease or sociocultural background. The second group asserted the multifactorial genesis of aggressive and criminal behavior, citing other hormonal and non‐hormonal factors, such as neurotransmitters, cortisol, and sociological and psychological aspects. In the end, a forensic physician, acting as a referee, tried to resolve the aporia: are the two theories equivalent or one is superior? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENTPossession and distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a serious criminal offence facilitated by online technologies. To prevent, investigate, and treat online CSAM offending, comprehensive knowledge of potential risk factors for these crimes is required. Given the large body of relevant research, a systematic overview of the risk factors typically considered in research and their link to (testable) theories is lacking. We present a review of 43 quantitative studies (sample sizes ranging from N = 60 to N = 14,804) identified from 56 meta-analyses, reviews, and book chapters on online CSAM offending. Risk factors were extracted and grouped into 12 categories and 75 subcategories via qualitative clustering. The most frequent categories were Criminal History, Socio-Demographics, and Social Relations, whereas genuine psychological constructs were rare. Comparing risk factors for online CSAM offending to those for general (sexual) offending, the need for more specific theories of online CSAM offending is discussed along with implications for future research.This review reports risk factors for online CSAM offending that have been researched in the psychological literature between 2011 and 2023, highlighting a lack of theory building and testing, as well as an overreliance on historic criminal behavior instead of psychological risk factors. As such, guidance on how to best prevent the continuation of online CSAM offending in clinical and forensic practice is limited. From this finding, requirements for future research into risk factors that may not only be more specific for online CSAM offending but are also more dynamic and psychologically relevant, as well as the development of CSAM-specific theories and risk assessment tools are derived. The advancement of our knowledge in correspondence with the identified shortcomings will be necessary to understand and prevent future CSAM offending. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies suggest that the process of becoming desistant from crime is accompanied by a shift from criminal to law-abiding identity and by the development of self-efficacy for law-abiding behavior. Utilizing self-report measures and an Implicit Association Test we predicted that a) a stronger law-abiding relative to criminal identity and a stronger/weaker self-efficacy for law-abiding/criminal behavior will correlate with lower actuarial recidivism risk at T1 and b) will explain variance in desistance two to three years later at T2. Results from a probation offender sample (N = 325) largely confirmed cross-sectional associations at T1. Univariately, self-reported and latency-based measured identity for law-abiding relative to criminal behavior explained variance in (survival time until) recidivism at T2 as opposed to self-efficacy for law-abiding or criminal behavior. Multivariately, self-reported law-abiding relative to criminal identity explained variance in survival time until recidivism beyond actuarial recidivism risk at T2. Further analyses showed that actuarial recidivism risk increasingly overestimated the risk to reoffend as the strength of law-abiding relative to criminal identity increased. The findings indicate that the strength of law-abiding relative to criminal identity plays a role in persisting in or desisting from criminal behavior. Yet, further research is necessary to identify the causal psychological mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although support by experiential peers for individuals with criminal behaviour is increasing, an empirical basis for its effectiveness is lacking. The purpose of this review was to investigate outcomes, mechanisms, and contextual factors of individual support by experiential peers for individuals who display criminal behaviour. We conducted a systematic realist literature review to test and refine our initial programme theory, which included seven mechanisms that may play a role in the desistance-supportive outcomes of experiential peer support. We screened 6,530 scientific papers and eventually included 25 articles focusing on asymmetrical one-on-one support for and by individuals with criminal behaviour. The findings suggest that experiential peers show empathy and have a non-judgmental approach, are considered role models, establish a trusting relationship with clients, offer hope, connect clients to other services, and have a recovery perspective on desistance. We found results indicative of act-desistance, positive personal development and improvements in mental health and personal circumstances, although study results were not consistent. The information on contextual factors was too limited for a robust analysis. Future research should not only focus on objective measures (e.g. absence of criminal behaviour), but also on subjective measures (e.g. hope, self-esteem) and investigate long-term effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research documents positive long-term impacts of public health insurance that go far beyond improving recipients' health. In this study, we expand the analysis to assess whether expanding Medicaid coverage generates reductions in crime. We find that increased Medicaid eligibility during childhood generates significant reductions in crime in early adulthood. Cohorts who experienced expanded Medicaid eligibility during childhood had significantly fewer arrests for property crime, drug-related crime, and driving under the influence in early adulthood. The effects are concentrated among males, are larger for Blacks than whites, and larger for eligibility experienced later in childhood. [End Page 1741] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis quantitatively synthesizes existing literature to investigate the relationship between aggregations of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and recidivism among court-involved youth and adults. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed, and moderation analyses were conducted. Sixteen studies (published n = 12), encompassing 101,778 unique participants (girls/women = 21.1%; adults n = 1,204), met the inclusion criteria. A small overall effect size revealed that an accumulation of ACEs increased the odds of reoffending. The relationship between ACEs and recidivism was only statistically significant for the subgroup of studies using youth samples. In addition, ACEs only predicted recidivism in the subgroup of published studies (compared to dissertations). Other moderators (gender, study location, recidivism time frame) were not significant. Our results suggest that courts, particularly youth courts, would benefit from screening for cumulative ACEs to help identify those most at risk for reoffending and in need of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Supportive social connections are a crucial determinant of the mental health and adjustment of youth in conflict-torn regions. Conflict-affected youth face particular risks to their well-being due to high levels of trauma exposure and perpetration of violent acts as members of armed groups and post-conflict discrimination. However, little is known about the possible protective role of close relationships with caregivers in the aftermath of trauma. This study examined whether a higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers would attenuate the associations between exposure to traumatic experiences and four indicators of adjustment (posttraumatic stress symptoms [PTSS], emotional problems, behavioural problems, criminal behaviour) in a sample of 268 war-affected youth (61.2% male, Mage = 16.31 years) living in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. More than half of the present sample (56.7%) were former members of armed groups. Methods: Data were collected using quantitative structured interviews and analyzed through regression models using the PROCESS macro. Results: Higher cumulative trauma exposure was significantly related to higher levels of PTSS and emotional problems, while more frequent perpetration of war-related violence was significantly related to higher levels of PTSS, behavioural problems, and criminal behavior. The perceived quality of relationships with caregivers significantly moderated the associations between youth's cumulative trauma exposure and all four outcomes. At higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers, the associations between trauma exposure and emotional problems, behavioural problems, and criminal behaviour were no longer significant and the association with PTSS was significantly weakened. Higher perceived quality of relationships with caregivers was also directly significantly related to lower levels of mental health problems and criminal behaviour. Conclusions: The findings suggest that interventions that focus on strengthening relationships with caregivers are crucial for supporting the mental health and functioning of youth who experienced and perpetrated war-related violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusion Studies of mattering and delinquency among young people have, to date, focused solely on whether teenagers think that they matter to each other. No one has yet examined the extent to which young people think that they matter to society generally and how this relates to delinquency.To explore relationships between young peoples' sense of being of value to society and their delinquent intentions. First, we tested relationships between such ‘societal mattering’ scores and delinquent intentions; secondly, we tested self‐rated attitudes towards the criminal justice system and associating with delinquent peers as possible mediators of any relationship.Four hundred and twenty‐eight 10‐ to 21‐year‐olds were recruited by social media, flyers or in one school in France. They were asked to complete a schedule online, in private, first rating themselves on a five‐point Likert scale according to the statement ‘I feel like I matter in society’. They were then asked to rate the frequency and variety of their own delinquency and delinquent intentions, then the extent to which they related to peers with positive or negative attitudes towards the law and its representatives and their own attitudes towards the criminal justice system.Under one in three of these young people felt that they mattered in society. Regression analyses showed that lower sense of such mattering was associated with delinquent intentions, even after controlling for own past delinquency, age and gender. Peers' attitudes and personal attitudes towards the justice system partially mediated this link.Our findings add to literature on sense of place in society and criminal behaviours by showing, for the first time, that a sense of not mattering in society, or mattering little, is likely to be associated with delinquency. Although we recommend extending this study to international, population‐based samples, we suggest school and community initiatives to ensure that young people do feel valued by society, which may contribute to community safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals who commit criminal behaviors are often thought to prioritize short‐term goals rather than long‐term goals (i.e., a present vs. a future time orientation). Though previous theories of crime and empirical research support a relationship among future time orientation, criminal thinking, and illegal behaviors, there is disagreement in the literature about how to operationalize the multidimensional construct of future time orientation. The primary aim of this pre‐registered survey study was to measure multiple components of future time orientation to better understand the relationship with criminality‐related outcomes. Participants were 248 undergraduate college students. Survey materials included a measure of impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale‐11), self‐control (Brief Self‐Control Scale), delay discounting (Monetary Choice Questionnaire), and Carstensen's Future Time Perspective Scale. Participants also completed two measures of criminal thinking style (the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scale, the Criminogenic Cognitions Scale) and an illegal behaviors checklist. Bivariate results demonstrated a negative relationship between future time orientation (i.e., low impulsivity, high self‐control, high future time perspective) and criminal thinking style. The relationship between delay discounting and criminal thinking was in the hypothesized direction but failed to reach statistical significance. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the measure of self‐control had the most consistent and incrementally significant relationship with both criminal thinking style and illegal behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications of the results are discussed along with study limitations and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dark Tetrad (Machiavellianism, psychopathy, narcissism, and sadism) is a taxonomy of personality dispositions toward immoral, antisocial, and antagonistic behavior; still, its predictive power in the domain of criminal behavior is rarely tested. In the present research, we analyzed the associations between the Dark Tetrad and several indicators of criminal behavior (onset of criminal behavior, juvenile correctional measures, problematic use of psychoactive substances [PUPS], penal recidivism, number of convictions, violent offences, and the risk of future recidivism) in a sample of Serbian prisoners (N = 471). While all dark traits were positively associated with criminal behavior indicators on a zero-order level (except violent offences), regression analyses identified Machiavellianism as the most prominent predictor. Psychopathy positively predicted PUPS, while narcissism had a negative contribution to PUPS and penal recidivism. Interactions with the participants' sex showed that sadism represents a risk factor for females regarding early offences and PUPS, while Machiavellianism elevates the chance of repeated prison sentences for men. Finally, the structural model showed that juvenile offending mediates the association between Machiavellianism and general criminal recidivism. Findings showed the fruitfulness of assessing the Dark Tetrad traits in order to predict various aspects of criminal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been growing interest in the evaluation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autistic traits in prison populations and offenders. Due to misleading headlines and highly publicized criminal cases, the belief that autistic individuals are more prone to commit crimes has spread among the general population, also leading to increasing research on this matter. Aims: In this context, this narrative review aimed to analyze the available scientific literature on the bi-directional link between ASD and criminal behaviors and to assess the key characteristics of eventual ASD offenders, including sociodemographic data, comorbidities, crime-related features, and interactions with the criminal justice system. Results: Our review highlighted that the available studies lack methodological rigor and present controversial results. Overall, the current state of research does not support any definitive correlation between ASD or autistic traits and the predisposition to engage in criminal conduct. Further studies are needed to confirm or reject this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychopathy in women has gained the attention of the scientific community, but research on the emotional processing in individuals with psychopathic traits and its role in criminal behavior is still scarce. The present systematic review aims to aggregate existing literature that analyze emotional processing in women with psychopathy traits. The search terms, conducted in six databases, identified 13 relevant studies, meeting the following criteria: women, 18 years or older, prison or community contexts, and written in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Studies pointed to a compromise in the understanding, management, and categorization of emotions, especially those with negative valence, and the presence of alexithymia in women with higher scores of psychopathic traits. Some studies revealed that women with psychopathy had reduced limbic activation, cortical deficits in emotional processing, and an absence of aversive startle response when exposed to aversive stimuli. Significant relationships between psychopathic traits, heart rate, and skin conductance response were documented. Additionally, the interpersonal-affective facet of psychopathy was linked to emotion management difficulties, while the antisocial-impulsive dimension seems linked to alexithymia and deficits in the processing of negatively valenced emotions. These findings carry practical implications for interventions with psychopathic women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile delinquency, where young people engage in criminal behavior, is a serious concern for society due to high arrest rates among minors. Delinquent behavior is a serious concern due to its devastating effect on the well-being of society. The relationship between genetics and violent behavior is complex and not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the correlation between specific genetic traits, particularly CRHR1 and FKBP5 genes, and sociodemographic characteristics in the context of their age, gender, socioeconomic status, and crime history of delinquent behavior in adolescents. The study was designed as a single-center hospital-based case–control study involving 45 adolescents for each study group: control and those showing delinquent behavior, case group. Findings revealed an abnormal CRHR1 expression in male teenagers is a strong indicator and presents the risk for violent and delinquent behavior. Understanding specific genetic markers, like abnormal CRHR1 expression, helps target assessments and interventions. Additionally, recognizing sociodemographic factors associated with delinquency allows for a more comprehensive approach, considering the various influences on adolescent behavior. This study provides important insights to address and reduce the complex issue of juvenile delinquency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are significant concerns regarding the relationship between mental health and criminal culpability since impulse control problems have long been linked to the genesis of criminal behavior. In trying to clarify the complex legal ramifications that result from this link, this study explores the close link between diseases that inhibit impulse control and their possible role in criminal behavior in patients coming to emergency department. Aim: This research aims to explore how impulse control disorders contribute to criminal actions, emphasizing significant correlations and calling for transformative changes in the emergency help for psychiatric patients and in criminal justice system. Methodology: This study utilized Bullion Words for a literature review, identifying 24,400 hits, and narrowing down to 24 papers after rigorous selection. The systematic review explores the interplay between impulse control disorders and criminal actions, emphasizing legal implications. Ethical considerations ensure confidentiality. The study concludes with key findings, relationship insights, legal discussions, and future research suggestions. Result: This systematic review reveals a nuanced understanding of how impulse control disorders contribute to criminal actions. Identifying specific disorders like kleptomania and intermittent explosive disorder emphasizes the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors. The legal implications highlight the need for a paradigm shift in the criminal justice system, advocating tailored interventions and rehabilitation strategies, and offering a novel perspective for future legal frameworks. Conclusion: This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the complex interconnection between impulse control disorders and criminal actions. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing these disorders in legal contexts and advocate for a nuanced approach to sentencing and treatment. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic criteria, exploring intervention strategies, and elucidating the long-term impact of impulse control disorders on legal outcomes. Overall, this review contributes to a more informed understanding of the legal implications surrounding impulse control disorders and criminal actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Streets are an important component of urban public spaces and also a high-incidence area for urban crime. However, current research mainly involves adult crime, or fails to distinguish between adult and juvenile crime, which poses a severe challenge to the prevention of juvenile delinquency. Juveniles have lower self-control abilities and are more likely to be influenced by external environmental factors to trigger criminal behavior compared to adults. Therefore, this study uses New York's Manhattan district as an example, based on CPTED and social disorganization theories, and utilizes street view data and deep learning techniques to extract street environment indicators. The GWR model is used to explore the influence mechanism of urban street environment on juvenile crime. The results of this study, considering spatial heterogeneity, demonstrate the impact of various physical environmental indicators of urban streets on juvenile delinquency, and reveal that some street indicators have differentiated effects on crime in different areas of the city. Overall, our research helps to uncover the relationship between juvenile delinquency and the built environment of streets in complex urban settings, providing important references for future urban street design and juvenile delinquency prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioural differences between murder and manslaughter have rarely been empirically assessed. By examining real-world data, assessment of this type helps ensure that the legal classification and sentencing framework aligns with the nuances of criminal behaviour and contributes to just outcomes. Additionally, empirical assessment of differences between offence types provides an inclusionary/exclusionary basis in the pooling of samples. This study examined the relationships between demographic and crime-scene behaviours with conviction outcome (i.e. either murder or manslaughter) in 253 New Zealand homicides. Premeditated intent to kill was highly associated with murder as the conviction outcome; however, lower levels of premeditation were not. Other significant predictors were primarily those of a mitigating nature; a victim provoking an attacker or an offender attempting to save the victim were observed to potentially reduce the likelihood of a murder conviction, while aggravating factors such as the use of a weapon increased this likelihood. Most variables did not significantly predict conviction outcome for either homicide type, indicating these types of crimes are perhaps more similar than they are different. Overall, this study helped reveal an intricate interplay of factors which impact on homicide conviction outcomes, shedding light on the decision-making process within the criminal justice system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religious fundamentalism, characterized by rigid adherence to a set of beliefs putatively revealing inerrant truths, is ubiquitous across cultures and has a global impact on society. Understanding the psychological and neurobiological processes producing religious fundamentalism may inform a variety of scientific, sociological, and cultural questions. Research indicates that brain damage can alter religious fundamentalism. However, the precise brain regions involved with these changes remain unknown. Here, we analyzed brain lesions associated with varying levels of religious fundamentalism in two large datasets from independent laboratories. Lesions associated with greater fundamentalism were connected to a specific brain network with nodes in the right orbitofrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, and inferior parietal lobe. This fundamentalism network was strongly right hemisphere lateralized and highly reproducible across the independent datasets (r = 0.82) with cross-validations between datasets. To explore the relationship of this network to lesions previously studied by our group, we tested for similarities to twenty-one lesion-associated conditions. Lesions associated with confabulation and criminal behavior showed a similar connectivity pattern as lesions associated with greater fundamentalism. Moreover, lesions associated with poststroke pain showed a similar connectivity pattern as lesions associated with lower fundamentalism. These findings are consistent with the current understanding of hemispheric specializations for reasoning and lend insight into previously observed epidemiological associations with fundamentalism, such as cognitive rigidity and outgroup hostility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issue of sexual misconduct in the field of surgery, particularly affecting women, one year after the publication of the Breaking the Silence report. The report revealed high rates of sexual assault and harassment in the surgical workforce, prompting a strong response from the medical profession and the public. The article emphasizes the need for action to address this problem, including the implementation of sexual violence policies, codes of conduct, education on recognizing and addressing sexual misconduct, and data collection to assess progress. Various organizations and stakeholders have taken steps to support these recommendations and improve the culture and performance of accountable organizations. The article provides resources and support for those who have experienced or witnessed sexual misconduct and highlights the importance of reporting incidents. It also calls for educational interventions and mandatory training to improve the culture and behavior in the medical workforce. [Extracted from the article]

The aim of the current paper was to examine temperament profiles and temperament dimensions as risk factors for persistent criminal behavior in juveniles who offended (JOs). A sample of 137 male adolescents from a Swiss detention center and 137 age and sex matched community controls were included in the present study. Temperament was measured with the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Using Latent Profile Analysis (LPA), three temperament profiles were found, a "moderate," an "adventurous-disinhibited" (higher levels of novelty seeking, lower levels of harm avoidance, reward dependence, and persistence), and a "worried-passive" profile (higher levels of harm avoidance, low persistence). None of the profiles and dimensions were associated with detention sample (i.e., JO) status. In JOs, the "novelty seeking" scale predicted recidivism after release from detention even when controlling for other covariates. Further research should address temperament profiles and temperament dimensions in larger samples of JOs to elaborate their relation to previous and future offending behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study conducted in the Netherlands that examines the relationship between probation officer procedural justice, low self-control, and recidivism. The study found that both procedural justice and low self-control are significantly associated with recidivism. However, there is no interaction between self-control and procedural justice, indicating that the impact of perceived fairness on recidivism does not vary based on self-control levels. The findings suggest that procedural justice can improve outcomes for individuals on probation, even among those at higher risk. The study collected data through interviews with individuals in pre-trial detention and post-release interviews, and the results showed that 28% of respondents were reconvicted. The study used linear probability models to analyze the data and found that higher levels of procedural justice experienced with probation officers were associated with a lower probability of recidivism, while low self-control was positively related to recidivism. These findings have implications for probation policies and highlight the importance of probation officers engaging in procedurally just practices to reduce recidivism rates. Further research is needed to explore these relationships in different contexts and populations. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Criminal self‐efficacy, an antisocial belief representing positive appraisal of one's capabilities to enact crime, is theorized to drive criminal behaviour, but few measures exist. Our aim was to re‐validate one measure of criminal self‐efficacy by re‐testing its ability to predict recidivism. Methods: We used Criminal Self‐efficacy Scale‐15 scores from 353 people on community corrections orders measured up to three times. Results: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed three latent factors we called criminal connections, physical violence, and criminal expertise. Cox regression survival analysis demonstrated that only physical violence scores predicted recidivism. Conclusions: The three factors provide a meaningful conceptual basis for future attempts to develop measures of criminal self‐efficacy that improve on the limitations of current measures. More broadly, there is a need to understand how specific antisocial beliefs such as criminal self‐efficacy are related to criminal behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propensity to morally disengage can be an essential driver of unethical, antisocial, and criminal behavior. The present study examines the psychometric properties of the Propensity to Morally Disengage Scale (PMDS) among a convenience sample of 242 male and female participants (M = 30.19 years, SD = 12.78, range = 16–77) from Portugal. The expected one-factor structure obtained an adequate fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency/reliability was adequate as measured by the alpha and omega coefficients. Convergent validity (i.e. with dark traits, low self-control, violence evaluation, and antisociality/criminality tendencies measures), divergent validity (i.e. with basic empathy and light traits of personality measures), and criterion-related validity (e.g. with trouble with the law, arrested by police, sentenced to prison variables) were demonstrated with Pearson and point-biserial correlations. Measurement invariance across gender was established. Significant gender differences in the PMDS scores were found, with males scoring significantly higher than females. Our findings support using the PMDS Portuguese version as a short, valid, and reliable measure of moral disengagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an introduction to a special issue of the European Journal on Criminal Policy & Research focused on understanding money laundering. The introduction highlights the lack of knowledge about how money laundering works in practice and the limited research on the behavior and choices of money laundering offenders. The special issue includes papers that examine the behavior of money laundering offenders from various perspectives, such as theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, and case analyses. The papers cover a range of topics, including the determinants of offender choices, the methods used by different offender groups, and the role of intermediaries in money laundering. The introduction emphasizes the need for more research in this field and the importance of adopting an offender's perspective to better understand money laundering practices. [Extracted from the article]

Most policies to combat gang criminal behavior are rooted in deterrence and punitive strategies. This is fueled by moral panic, a get tough on crime rhetoric, and a lack of understanding for the psychological factors that may influence this behavior. Further, the extant literature has consistently observed that gang membership is associated with increased criminal behavior. In an effort to promote and shift away from punitive approaches in response to gang delinquency, the current study investigates the role psychopathic traits have in violent and property offending, longitudinally, in a sample of gang-involved youth. The study implemented count mixed effect models to investigate the topic longitudinally in waves 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, while controlling for other variables with violent and property offending frequency. The current study found that some psychopathic traits are associated with offending behavior, longitudinally, in gang members and youth with a history of gang involvement. The findings suggest that gang intervention strategies should include empirically supported programs for treating psychopathic traits in gang identified youth to reduce involvement in delinquent behavior. Further, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers should collaborate to develop more empirically supported strategies to reduce and prevent gang delinquent behavior from an empathetic lens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women experiencing homelessness (WEH) are a marginalized group who often lack support services, leading them to adopt alternative survival strategies that leave them at risk of being victimized and becoming involved with the justice-system. To better understand this problem, we analyzed the adaptive strategies Canadian WEH use to survive. Comparing the life histories of WEH who turned to criminal activities (n = 4) with WEH who demonstrated prosocial resilience (n = 4) makes it possible to identify protective and risk factors for criminal behavior and to propose adaptive strategies that can be used to support these women to adopt a prosocial lifestyle. The results provide a framework for understanding the needs of WEH, filling a gap that results from the focus on men needs in most scientific literature and by many resources, and suggesting that meeting those needs may reduce the likelihood that WEH will become involved with the justice-system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the literature, video game addiction in youths is correlated with dysfunctional symptoms of anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders, and the pandemic period of 2020–2022 has favored the aggravation of this behavioral addiction. Therefore, we identified the need to analyze this phenomenon with an emphasis on the risks and correlates related to deviance and maladjustment from a prospective perspective, seeking to understand the impact of the individual variables examined. Aim: To demonstrate whether the condition of "gaming non-pathological abuse" (GNPA) promotes psychopathological features of clinical interest, in the absence of a diagnosis of "gaming disorder" (GD). Materials and methods: A search performed on PubMed and administration of an ad hoc sociological questionnaire were used to investigate individual variables of criminological interest in a representative population sample (531 males/females, 8–18 years old, M: 14.4, SD: 2.5). Results: Statistical analysis showed that after the pandemic period, digital video game addiction was reinforced, feeding psychopathological traits consistent with anxiety, emotional disorders, and mood disorders. Variables correlated with impulsive, aggressive, and violent behavior related to age, gender, socio-environmental and economic background, and the severity of digital video game addiction. Conclusions: In the youth population (8–18 years), "gaming non-pathological abuse" (GNPA) is related to aggressive, impulsive and violent behaviors that foster phenomena of social maladjustment and deviance, especially in individuals living in disadvantaged or otherwise complex socio-economic and family contexts. Looking forward, the study of structural and functional personality profiles is essential in order to anticipate and reduce the future risk of psychopathological and criminal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Purpose] This study analyzed the case of Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme, investigating the causes, implications and regulatory failures that allowed this fraud to be perpetuated for so long [Methodology/approach/design] We used a multidisciplinary approach that involved reviewing the literature, analyzing legal documents, regulatory reports and related academic research. We explored the structure of Madoff's Ponzi scheme, the factors that made it sustainable and the deficiencies in the regulatory system that allowed it to operate. [Findings] The study revealed that Bernard Madoff created one of the largest Ponzi schemes in history, causing massive losses for investors. Regulatory failures, including ineffective SEC oversight, lack of coordination between regulatory agencies and conflicts of interest in audits, played a crucial role in perpetuating the fraud. Madoff's 150-year sentence and asset forfeiture were part of the legal measures taken to deal with the consequences of the fraud. [Practical implications] The practical implications of this study highlight the importance of regulatory reforms to strengthen financial and securities supervision. In addition, it highlights the need to protect whistleblowers and promote a favorable environment for revealing wrongdoing in the financial sector in order to prevent future similar cases. [Originality/value] This article fills a gap in the study of financial regulation by providing a comprehensive analysis of the Madoff case and its implications. Its relevance lies in the lesson it offers about the devastating consequences of financial fraud and the measures needed to protect investors and improve regulatory oversight.

Objectives: Assess the hypothesis that the effects of community violence on delinquency accumulate as exposures increase in chronicity over time. Few existing studies have examined this hypothesis, and none have accounted for the possibility of time-variant confounding. Methods: The sample comprised seven years of prospective, longitudinal data on 986 juvenile offenders from the Pathways to Desistance study. Inverse probability of treatment-weighted marginal structural models were used to account for time-variant confounders that influence selection into victimization and witnessing violence across the first six years of the study. Outcomes (any, aggressive, and income offending) were assessed in the seventh year. Results: Analyses illustrate that failing to account for time-variant confounding—or doing so with traditional regression methods—substantially biases effect estimates. Properly specified marginal structural models show that each additional year with at least one victimization event increased the probabilities of participants' offending during the seventh year of the study by 4.0–5.5 percentage points, whereas witnessing violence increased these probabilities by 2.9–3.7 percentage points. Conclusions: The study shows that chronic exposure to community violence poses a substantial threat to development, including the cessation of crime by justice-involved adolescents and emerging adults. More work is needed, however, to understand the intervening mechanisms involved. Implications for policies to reduce community violence and for analyses of other time-varying exposures are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the film "Cuttputlli," a Hindi remake of the Tamil film "Ratsasan," which explores the portrayal of a psychopathic serial killer. The film addresses social and cultural concerns such as the representation of serial killers, child sexual abuse, the role of the media, and gender stereotypes. While the film attempts to portray the psychopathic killer realistically, it also incorporates elements of Bollywood style, which detracts from its intended focus. The article highlights the influence of media in shaping public opinion and perception of crime and violence, as well as the prevalence of gender biases and the issue of sexual abuse. Overall, the film raises awareness and provokes contemplation on these important topics. [Extracted from the article]

The relevance of this topic is due to the increase in the level of crime in Kazakhstan, as well as in foreign countries amid the global crisis, inflation, and other aspects that affect the criminal behavior of citizens. The purpose of the work within this topic is to study the main aspects underlying the legal activities of entities authorized to apply measures to prevent and combat offences. These are the main methods used in this article: comparative method, statistical method, and method of systematization. The identification of the main regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan (RK) are the results of the work, which regulates the activities of internal affairs authorities in the relevant area; it has clarified the issue of problems that arise when performing the functions for prevention of offences among minors, as well as violations of legislation in the transport sector, and others. The most effective types and methods of preventing and deterring offences have been investigated. In addition, in the course of conducting research, it was analyzed foreign experience in the prevention and deterrence of several types of criminals, administrative, and other offences and the main achievements in the relevant field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This empirical study was the first to explore the criminal life course of people imprisoned in a Dutch facility for uncontrollably violent persons as a consequence of prison violence (N = 383). Their characteristics were compared with those from studies of Dutch incarcerated people and those of persons residing in an in-prison psychiatric facility (N = 1,913). Results showed that uncontrollably violent detained persons are an extreme group: their criminal life course is characterized by an early onset, an extensive and severe criminal career, and high scores on most violence-related historical risk factors. The severity and early onset of their criminal life course, their problematic behavior, and their problems in other life domains became even more apparent following our comparisons. This study underlines the relevance of detained persons' pre-prison characteristics in addressing prison violence risk factors, and shows that early detection and monitoring is essential to prevent (more) damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document introduces a special issue of the journal "Behavioral Sciences & the Law" focused on sexual homicide and the lethal outcome in sexual crimes. It emphasizes the importance of studying sexual homicide despite its low occurrence and discusses the internationalization of research in this field. The special issue includes studies on offender types, victimology issues, and specific aspects of sexual homicide. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of sexual homicide and its contribution to research on homicide, sexual crimes, and criminology. The articles in the special issue cover topics such as child and adolescent victims, foreign object insertion, and elderly sexual violence. The authors come from various institutions in Canada, Switzerland, and the UK. Additionally, there is a list of references for further reading on sexual homicide and criminology, covering topics such as offender motivations, patterns of overkill, sadism, and differences between intimate partner and non-intimate partner sexual homicide. The studies utilize various research methods, providing valuable insights into the complex nature of sexual homicide. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Preventive detention for highly dangerous habitual offenders has been in force in Germany for 90 years. The necessity of this measure is hotly debated from a legal perspective. However, the assignment of preventive detention is largely determined by the opinion of medical experts. This article discusses the role of medical experts and the issues they face in evaluating the dangerousness of habitual offenders using the case of the marriage swindler Helmut Hoinka, prosecuted several times in the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1960s. Methods: Helmut Hoinka's case was chosen for analysis because of the rare opportunity to access detailed materials that allowed us to follow in detail the reasoning of the medical experts who evaluated Hoinka: medical reports stored in the Gerd Huber Archive at the University of Ulm, and Hoinka's court case from the State Archive of North Rhine-Westphalia. To examine these sources, we implemented the historical-critical method. Results: The medical experts who evaluated Hoinka were aware of the defendant's criminal record prior to the evaluation, which was a source of bias. In addition, the criteria for classifying the offender as a dangerous habitual offender were open to a wide range of interpretations. Hoinka's high level of intelligence was negatively emphasized. Some test results were considered unreliable because it was assumed that Hoinka had manipulated his answers. Personal value judgments were allowed in assessing Hoinka's personality. Hoinka's criminal behavior was considered a medical symptom of psychopathy because it violated general moral and social norms. The medical reports of both experts showed that the psychiatrists believed in the genetic nature of psychopathy and criminal behavior. Their criminological prognosis was fully supported by the court in imposing the sentence. Conclusion: Challenges to Hoinka's criminological prognosis were the experts' personal biases, their belief in the theory of genetic predisposition to crime, the lack of clear criteria for antisocial personality disorder, and the absence of forensic recommendations for "psychopathic" criminals. The experts' opinion on Hoinka's criminal predisposition was crucial to the imposition of the sentence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: People with language difficulties cannot face challenges related to social skills. Those language disorders affect academic, work environments, and social interaction, leading to maladaptive and aggressive behaviors. Young inmates are at high risk of experiencing unrecognized language deficiencies. It is, therefore, necessary to analyze linguistic pathologies that can influence criminal behavior (drugs possession/consumption and gender violence crimes). There are many standardized tests to evaluate and detect language difficulties in adults in English. However, there are relatively few options in Spanish; there are no tests that evaluate language qualitatively and in depth. Most of the research is conducted with children and adolescents. Objectives: To propose a reliable coding system for the correction and interpretation of narratives (essays and narratives) from the Battery for the Evaluation of Writing Processes (PROESC) in the prisoners charged of drugs possession or consumption and gender violence crimes. Design: The sample was composed of 287 men. Main outcome measures: They completed the Demographic, Offense, and Behavioral Interview in Institutions, the International Personality Disorders Examination (IPDE), and PROESC. Results: We found that the proposed coding system presented high concordance, that is, high inter-rater reliability. Conclusion: The classification system for the correction and interpretation of narratives was shown to be reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research highlights the continuum between dark and bright personality traits impacting individual prosocial or antisocial tendencies. However, the interplay between personality dimensions and actual criminal behavior and its reoccurrence is not fully elucidated. We aimed to explore the cumulative predictive value of the bright and dark core of personality for criminal history in differentiating a general community sample (N = 282) from a large sample of inmates (N = 296), with (n = 129) or without (n = 167) criminal history while controlling for age, sex and impression management. Predictors of first-time offending were higher levels of Neuroticism, Openness, Dark Factor, Sadism, and Deceitfulness. Criminal recidivism was predicted by high Neuroticism and Deceitfulness. Finally, higher levels of Extraversion were negatively related to criminal behavior and history, highlighting a potential protective effect of displaying assertive and sociable tendencies. The findings highlight the relevance of considering the dark personality core complementary to the typical personality dimensions in the risk assessment, prediction, and reduction of criminal behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Criminal behavior may be different on weekends and holidays compared to business days. Understanding the distinctive crime patterns on non-business days is useful for crime research and crime control. This study contributes to the literature by explicitly investigating the small-area spatiotemporal variation in five types of major crimes between business days and non-business days using a Bayesian modeling approach in Old Toronto, Canada. The results show that criminal activity varies between business days and non-business days, influenced by the types of crimes, geographic locations, and local neighborhood characteristics. Compared to business days, on non-business days, southern areas with high business and entertainment activity exhibit increased assault and robbery levels, while northern residential areas experience reduced activity of break and enter, auto theft, and theft over $5,000. Nonetheless, spatial crime hot spots generally remain consistent between the two date categories, with some hot spots presenting an exacerbation of criminal activity during non-business days. A few sociodemographic variables and built environment features are associated with the spatiotemporal variation in crime. These findings demonstrate the spatiotemporal variation in criminal behavior and crime patterns between business days and non-business days and highlight the need for customized crime control measures at the small area level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although self-control is frequently comorbid with other antisocial features, some individuals who exhibit psychological risk factors for antisocial conduct nevertheless have relatively high self-control. With this complexity in mind, the current study examined self-control as a potential moderator of antisociality/criminality features and violent attitudes using a community sample of 354 adult participants from Portugal. We found significant evidence that self-control moderates the dark core of personality when predicting antisociality/criminality, but not when predicting violent attitudes. We also found self-control moderates psychopathy when predicting antisocialty/criminality, but self-control had more robust moderation effects for violent attitudes. Specifically, self-control moderated narcissism, psychopathy, and sadism. Self-control did not moderate Machiavellianism in either model. Findings corroborate the notion that self-control plays an important role in moderating some dark traits of personality that are significant predictors for antisocial/criminal behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We examine whether individuals engage in crime across a variety of different settings (contextual generality). Specifically, we assess whether individuals who engage in workplace crime will engage in street crime and whether certain individuals have a greater tendency to engage in workplace crime relative to street crime. We are guided by trait-based theories, learning theories, and strain theories to guide our expectations related to the contextual generality of criminal behavior. Methods: We analyze data from the National Youth Survey and conduct multinomial logistic regressions, item response theory, and ordinary least squares regressions. We supplement this with the Youth Development Survey and the Pathways to Desistance Study. Results: There is a small overlap between workplace crime and street crime. Participation in each context is related to context-specific perceived coworker/peer disapproval and deviant workplace definitions. There is a tendency for some respondents to specialize in workplace crime relative to street crime. Conclusions: Contextual generality in criminal behavior is a fruitful avenue to study theoretical debates between theories of population heterogeneity and theories that allow for specific types of offending. More studies are needed to extend this line of inquiry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual minority groups experience elevated risk across a range of adverse outcomes. Previous studies from the USA showed that these risks include contact with the criminal justice system for sexual minority females but not for males. This study examined whether this relationship between sexual minority status and criminal behavior was also found in a more secular country like the Netherlands with more progressive attitudes toward sexual minorities. Furthermore, the study aimed to examine whether this relationship applied to various types of crime and could be explained by unmeasured familial factors. Longitudinal data from the Dutch national population, including 75,362 individuals in a same-sex relationship and 3,464,906 individuals in opposite-sex relationships, were used to compare the risk of crime among males and females in same-sex and opposite-sex unions. Discordant sibling models were included to increase control over possible sources of confounding from shared familial factors. Analyses were repeated for six types of crime, including property offenses, violence, vandalism, and public order offenses, traffic offenses, drugs offenses, and other offenses. The results showed that the direction of the associations between same-sex relationships and offending differed for men and women. In general, men in same-sex relationships were less likely to be a suspect of crime compared to those in opposite-sex relationships [odds ratio (OR) = 0.685; p <.001]. Women in same-sex relationships exhibited higher risk than those in opposite-sex unions (OR = 1.560; p <.001). Similar patterns emerged for most crime types and the discordant sibling models yielded conclusions that were substantively similar to those among the total population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite theoretical acknowledgments that peers can be either "good" or "bad" for criminal offending and recidivism, criminological research most often models peers as a criminogenic influence on offending behaviors. To explore the impact of peer relationships and to expand on theoretical conceptualization of peer relationship quality, the current study uses Pathways to Desistance data to examine the effects of peer quality and peer delinquency in recidivism over time among a sample of 1,272 individuals adjudicated during adolescence. Findings from a series of mixed-effects models demonstrate that peer quality is significantly predictive of increased aggressive offending. However, quality mitigates the relationship between peer delinquency and income offending, highlighting a need for further research considering potential protective aspects of peer relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores profiles of individuals in community service, focussing on gender differences and women's social vulnerability. Surveys from 503 participants undergoing community service via the Spanish Red Cross unveiled significant gender-related distinctions. Women faced more family responsibilities and lower incomes than men, with heightened economic challenges and engagement in informal work. Property ownership was less frequent among women, who also grappled with more outstanding mortgage payments and single parenthood. A larger share of women relied on institutional support and joined the Extreme Vulnerability Programme. These findings resonate with global research advocating holistic intervention for women offenders. However, this demands a broader array of community service tailored to women's needs, especially concerning dependent children. Addressing core necessities such as housing, healthcare, and employment, along with enhancing self-worth and recognition, proves pivotal in deterring women from criminal behaviour. A gender-oriented approach to alternative sentencing can enhance effectiveness and compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When does ordinary, legal interpersonal attention behaviour become aberrant, illegal stalking behaviour? How do we stop it when it does? As a society, we have only recently recognized stalking (episodic, continued unwanted contact of one person by another) as criminal behaviour—that it ranges well beyond the merely bothersome and creates real hardships for victims, famous or not. In the United States, formally codified anti-stalking law first appeared in the 1990s, and it continues to evolve. In part because of the relative newness of the law, scholarly analysis of stalking remains rare and confined primarily to clinical studies by psychologists and psychiatrists. But a pursuer's interpersonal attention, a target's reciprocation, and the evolution of these behaviours into patterns of stalking reflect systematic economic choices made by those agents. The economic model of stalking developed in this paper analyses the causes and consequences of these choices by considering interpersonal pursuit and reciprocation as a sequential game. The analysis allows us to understand stalking within the broader context of economic behaviours characterized by episodic interpersonal encounters, legal and otherwise, and facilitates economic explanations for several stylized patterns commonly observed in real stalking cases. Some of these carry relevance for policy and may serve as a foundation for future empirical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interplay between (criminal) organizations and (law enforcement) disruption strategies is critical in criminology and social network analysis. Like legitimate businesses, criminal enterprises thrive by fulfilling specific demands and navigating their unique challenges, including balancing operational visibility and security. This study aims at comprehending criminal networks' internal dynamics, resilience to law enforcement interventions, and robustness to changes in external conditions. Using a model based on evolutionary game theory, we analyze these networks as collaborative assemblies of roles, considering expected costs, potential benefits, and the certainty of expected outcomes. Here, we show that criminal organizations exhibit strong hysteresis effects, with increased resilience and robustness once established, challenging the effectiveness of traditional law enforcement strategies focused on deterrence through increased punishment. The hysteresis effect defines optimal thresholds for the formation or dissolution of criminal organisation. Our findings indicate that interventions of similar magnitude can lead to vastly different outcomes depending on the existing state of criminality. This result suggests that the relationship between stricter punishment and its deterrent effect on organized crime is complex and sometimes non-linear. Furthermore, we demonstrate that network structure, specifically interconnectedness (link density) and assortativity of specialized skills, significantly influences the formation and stability of criminal organizations, underscoring the importance of considering social connections and the accessibility of roles in combating organized crime. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the systemic nature of criminal behavior from an evolutionary perspective and highlight the need for adaptive, strategic approaches in policy-making and law enforcement to disrupt criminal networks effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, sexually motivated abductions have not received as much attention from researchers in comparison to the acts of abduction and sexual assault alone. Further, the majority of research that is conducted on abductions focuses solely on child victims, creating a gap in the literature. The current study was set forth to identify qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions. Using victim, crime, and offender characteristics taken from sexual abduction cases (n = 1288), a latent class analysis was conducted. Results from the latent class analysis revealed that four subgroups of sexually motivated abductors exist: Convenience Opportunist, Strategic Opportunist, Child Opportunist, and Familiar Opportunist. In addition, bivariate analyses were run to test the latent class solution with different characteristics; results suggest that these subgroups of sexually motivated offenders may not be dependent on some victim lifestyle characteristics. These results provide evidence that there are qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions, which may be useful for law enforcement when conducting investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPurposeMethodsResultsConclusions\nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONSocial rehabilitation of aggression following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is critically important for persons with ABI due to increased vulnerability of criminal behaviour related to post-injury changes in functioning. This review presents findings from studies that evaluated aggression interventions in both community and forensic populations of people with ABI.We searched PsycINFO, EMBASE, SocINDEX, CINAHL and Medline databases for studies published between 1st January 2000 and 15th October 2023.There were 15 studies (14 community-based, one forensic) that met inclusion criteria. Pharmacological management (6) was largely ineffective and anger management interventions (6) presented with inconsistent effectiveness. Emotion regulation (1) may be effective for externalised aggression. Both mindfulness and transcranial direct current stimulation (1) were effective, and the results of a forensic peer group approach (1) were not tested for statistical significance. There was variability in the measurement of aggression, injury severity, and cognitive impairment.Whilst community interventions for aggression in persons with ABI are prevalent, findings for effectiveness have been mixed and there is a paucity of evaluated interventions in forensic samples. Further research is needed to unravel the complex interplay of factors contributing to aggression and develop effective social rehabilitation for persons with ABI.Social rehabilitation is critical following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) due to increased risk of displaying challenging behaviours, such as aggression, that may significantly reduce an individual's quality of life.The current review highlights a lack of suitable interventions targeting aggression for individuals with ABI that account for injury-related impairments which impact capacity to engage in intervention.Findings emphasise the need to develop appropriate and relevant social rehabilitation interventions for aggression in ABI populations, particularly forensic populations, to prevent negative outcomes.Social rehabilitation is critical following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) due to increased risk of displaying challenging behaviours, such as aggression, that may significantly reduce an individual's quality of life.The current review highlights a lack of suitable interventions targeting aggression for individuals with ABI that account for injury-related impairments which impact capacity to engage in intervention.Findings emphasise the need to develop appropriate and relevant social rehabilitation interventions for aggression in ABI populations, particularly forensic populations, to prevent negative outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]