Using environmental criminology theories to compare ‘youth misuse of fire’ across age groups in New South Wales

2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamarah Pooley ◽  
Claire E Ferguson

Youth misuse of fire is a substantive community concern. Despite evidence which indicates youths account for a significant proportion of all deliberately lit fires within Australia, an absence of up-to-date, contextually specific research means the exact scope and magnitude of youth misuse of fire within Australia remains unknown. Despite research suggesting commonalities exist between youth misuse of fire and juvenile offending more broadly, misuse of fire is rarely explained using criminological theory. In light of this gap, a descriptive analysis of youth misuse of fire within New South Wales was performed. Routine Activity Theory and Crime Pattern Theory were tested to explain differences in misuse of fire across age groups. Results suggest these environmental theories offer useful frameworks for explaining youth misuse of fire in New South Wales. It is argued that the Routine Activity Theory and Crime Pattern Theory can be employed to better inform youth misuse of fire policy and prevention efforts.

1965 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 981 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Lax ◽  
Turner H Newton

The influence of sex, strain, location, and age of ewe on survival rate to weaning of single-born Merino lambs has been examined in two sets of data: the strain trial, involving five strains run without selection at each of three locations (Cunnamulla, Qld.; Armidale, on the northern tablelands of New South Wales; Deniliquin, in the Riverina area of New South Wales), with six age groups of ewes; and the same five strains later included in selection groups at Armidale with seven age groups of ewes. The strain trial at Armidale ran mainly on native, and the selection groups mainly on improved pastures. Female lambs had a higher survival rate than either castrated or entire males, the differences in lambs weaned per lamb born being 0.03 and 0.04 respectively. No strain differences could be regarded as statistically significant, and neither could the strain x location interaction in the strain trial. Mean survival rates for the strains ranged from 0.673 to 0.786 on the Armidale native and from 0.802 to 0.850 on the Armidale improved pasture, from 0.746 to 0.859 at Cunnamulla, and from 0.838 to 0.894 at Deniliquin. The strains did not rank consistently in the same order. Location had a marked effect on survival rate, the means being 0.744 for the native and 0.824 for the improved pasture at Armidale, 0.810 at Cunnamulla, and 0.868 at Deniliquin. Age of ewe had a marked influence in the poorest environment (Armidale native pasture), survival rate rising with age and later falling sharply. The effect was less marked in the intermediate environments (Armidale improved pasture and Cunnamulla) and negligible at Deniliquin. The patterns at Cunnamulla and Deniliquin are confirmed by data from other experiments on these stations. Survival rate is one component of number of lambs weaned. The other component, number of lambs born, has a higher mean value at Deniliquin than Cunnamulla, but shows a strong association with age of ewe in both environments. Number of lambs born responds rapidly to selection, but no information is yet available concerning the likely response in survival rate. If improvement in environment can raise the survival rate, particularly in the youngest and oldest ewes, then selection for number of lambs born, combined with improved environment, should lead to a marked rise in the number of lambs weaned.


1963 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
PD Dwyer

In M. s. blepotis, of north-eastern New South Wales, the annual moult occurs during the summer and early autumn and lasts about 14.5 weeks. Yearlings having their first moult usually initiate this some 3 weeks after the adults commence. In many adult females the moult is inhibited during lactation and again during the winter so that some individuals may be found moulting in all months of the year. The importance of considering annual pelage characters when using colour taxonomically in bats is emphasized, and possible relationships between moult and reproductive cycles are indicated. In addition the use of pelage characteristics, in conjunction with reproductive criteria as a means of recognizing age groups of M. s. blepotis, is discussed.


Author(s):  
J R Hunter ◽  
A J Macquarrie ◽  
S C Sheridan

AbstractBackgroundParamedics are among the most frequently injured health professionals in Australia. A lack of physical capacity may contribute to injury risk in this occupational population.AimsThis study sought to describe and compare the physical fitness of male and female paramedics across age groups to ascertain differences in physical capacity.MethodsA group of regional Australian paramedics (n = 140; 78 males; mean ± SD 37.4 ± 9.9 years; body mass index 28.1 ± 4.9 kg/m2) underwent a fitness assessment. Measures included upper, lower and core-body muscular strength and flexibility. Outcomes were compared between genders and across age groups using two-way between-groups analysis of variance.ResultsMale paramedics had greater upper body strength (P < 0.05; push-ups) mean (95% CI): 22.6 (19.4–25.9) versus 18.7 (15.2–22.3); similar lower body strength (single-leg wall squat): 39.0 (32.6–45.3) s versus 36.7 (27.1–46.3) s; greater core strength (P < 0.05; prone plank hold): 87.9 (77.6–98.3) s versus 73.8 (63.7–83.8) s; similar upper body flexibility (back scratch): −4.0 (−6.7 to −1.3) cm versus −0.3 (−2.2 to 1.7) cm; and similar lower body flexibility (sit and reach): 20.4 (18.2–22.6) cm versus 26.1 (23.5–28.7) cm to female paramedics. Core, upper and lower body strength all decreased with age (P < 0.05).ConclusionsCore, upper and lower body strength and upper body flexibility were poorer for older compared to younger regional paramedics in New South Wales, Australia. Future research should investigate whether these outcomes are associated with occupational injury risk. This information would assist in the design of injury prevention interventions for paramedics such as tailored workplace exercise programs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50
Author(s):  
Rebecca Seah ◽  
Brian Draper ◽  
Rebecca Mitchell

Objective. Assault is a global public health issue that affects individuals of all ages. This study describes the epidemiological profile of assault-related hospitalization and health outcomes across different age groups in New South Wales, Australia. Methods. Population-based linked hospitalization and mortality data from January 1, 2010, to June 30, 2014, were used to identify assault-related hospitalizations. Age-standardized rates were calculated and health outcomes were examined by age group. Results. There were 22 579 hospitalizations due to assault, with an age-standardized rate of 55.9 per 100 000 population (95% confidence interval = 55.2 to 56.70). Assault by bodily force (63.1%) and by sharp or blunt objects (21.6%) were the most common injury mechanisms. Individuals above 60 years had the highest mean hospital length of stay at 7.3 days, 30- and 90-day mortality, and average hospitalization costs at $9757. Conclusion. The findings have important implications in informing the development and strategies to reduce assault-related incidents in the community.


1985 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
JH Harris

The age of M. novemaculeata from the Hawkesbury River and other streams in the Sydney Basin, New South Wales, was determined by using otoliths. Annuli were counted after simple sectioning of otoliths and intensification of the growth-check pattern by a two-stage burning technique. Age determinations were validated by the use of fish of known age; an error of + 1 year occurred in 17% of determinations. Ages of older fish (14+ to 18+ years) were not overestimated by more than 2-4 years, if at all. Progression of year-classes, and the annual nature of growth-check formation, further validated age determinations. Scale-reading seriously underestimated the age of bass. M. novemaculeata is a long-lived species. The oldest fish was 22+ years, and the mean age of the sample (n = 607) was 4.9 years. There are significant differences in longevity between the sexes; fewer males reach the older age-groups. About 10% of juvenlle fish deposited a growth-check in their otoliths during their upstream recruitment migration. The frequency of this 'migration check' was increased to 20% by capture and relocation of juveniles to isolated waters. A procedure was designed to identify migration checks in wild fish.


Crime Science ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Curtis-Ham ◽  
Wim Bernasco ◽  
Oleg N. Medvedev ◽  
Devon Polaschek

Abstract This paper extends Crime Pattern Theory, proposing a theoretical framework which aims to explain how offenders’ previous routine activity locations influence their future offence locations. The framework draws on studies of individual level crime location choice and location choice in non-criminal contexts, to identify attributes of prior activities associated with the selection of the location for future crime. We group these attributes into two proposed mechanisms: reliability and relevance. Offenders are more likely to commit crime where they have reliable knowledge that is relevant to the particular crime. The perceived reliability of offenders’ knowledge about a potential crime location is affected by the frequency, recency and duration of their prior activities in that location. Relevance reflects knowledge of a potential crime location’s crime opportunities and is affected by the type of behaviour, type of location and timing of prior activities in that location. We apply the framework to generate testable hypotheses to guide future studies of crime location choice and suggest directions for further theoretical and empirical work. Understanding crime location choice using this framework could also help inform policing investigations and crime prevention strategies.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neill Jones ◽  
Greg Hardes ◽  
Stephen Ryan ◽  
Jennifer Sheehan ◽  
Cathryn Cox ◽  
...  

Objectives: To describe the statewide projections of acute inpatient activity in New South Wales. Methods: Data on acute inpatient activity in NSW for the period 1998?1999 to 2003?04 were derived from the Admitted Patient Data Collection. Regression analysis was used to project trends in utilisation and length of stay by age group, clinical specialty groups and stay type (day-only and overnight). The projected separation rates and length of stay were subject to clinical review. Projected separation rates (by age group, clinical speciality and stay type) were applied to NSW population projections to derive the projected number of separations. Bed-days were calculated by applying projected overnight average length of stay. Results: Total acute inpatient activity in NSW public hospitals is projected to increase from around 1.05 million separations in 2004 to around 1.3 million separations by 2017 (24%). Same-day separations are projected to increase from around 368 000 to around 514 000 (40%). Overnight separations are projected to rise from around 690 000 in 2003?04 to around 798 000 in 2016?17 (18%). Overnight bed-days are projected to increase from around 3.7 million in 2003?04 to around 4.1 million bed-days in 2017 (12%). Differences across age groups and clinical specialties are also evident from the modelling.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 838-844
Author(s):  
Tage Alalehto

Purpose In the field of crime prevention there are several theoretical approaches explaining why crime occurs and how to prevent it. Three of them – routine activity theory, crime pattern theory and the theory of crime-as-choice – are logically tested in this work. The point of departure is to test if the theories are logical consistent and logical valid, irrespective of whether the criterion for criminal intent is changed from direct intention to negligence. Design/methodology/approach The issues will be explored in a logical structure by a first-order logic propositional analysis. Findings The analysis shows that all three theories are logical consistent, but only routine activity theory is logical valid. The conclusion is that crime prevention should in general assume that routine activity theory is the legitimate theory and that social prevention as a prevention strategy is logically unnecessary to adopt because it does not matter whether the offender is motivated (direct intention) or not (negligence). Practical implications It does not really matter if the authors theoretically treat white-collar offenders as motivated, because if they have committed an actus reus, they are an offender according to the objective requisites. This means that the best strategies to prevent a potential white-collar criminal are situational prevention, i.e. complicate their access to money, where it becomes irrelevant if the potential offender has a mens rea or not. What counts is the prevention of actus reus by a potential offender. Originality/value As far as I know, no one has previously investigated the logical consistency and/or logical validity of routine activity theory, crime pattern theory and the theory of crime-as-choice as theories of crime prevention.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Buckley ◽  
Brian M. Forde ◽  
Ella Trembizki ◽  
Monica M. Lahra ◽  
Scott A. Beatson ◽  
...  

AbstractIncreasing rates of gonorrhoea have been observed among urban heterosexuals within the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). Here, we applied whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better understand transmission dynamics. Ninety-four isolates of a particular N. gonorrhoeae genotype (G122) associated with female patients (years 2012 to 2014) underwent phylogenetic analysis using core single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Context for genetic variation was provided by including an unbiased selection of 1,870 N. gonorrhoeae genomes from a recent United Kingdom (UK) study. NSW genomes formed a single clade, with the majority of isolates belonging to one of five clusters, and comprised patients of varying age groups. Intra-patient variability was less than 7 core SNPs. Several patients had indistinguishable core SNPs, suggesting a common infection source. These data have provided an enhanced understanding of transmission of N. gonorrhoeae among urban heterosexuals in NSW, Australia, and highlight the value of using WGS in N. gonorrhoeae outbreak investigations.


1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
CA Stanley

Two subspecies of the Australian salmon, a perciform fish, occur in eastern Australian waters. The western subspecies, Arripis trutta esper (Whitley), is found only in Tasmania and Victoria. In Tasmanian waters fish do not occur above an age of 2+ years. In Victoria about 300 000 fish (180 tonnes) of an age range from of to 5+ years are caught annually. The younger age groups are found in sheltered areas, and the older age groups along the open coastline, especially in western Victoria. Returns of tags from fish thought to be of the western subspecies indicate that movement towards Western Australia takes place via western Victoria and South Australia, rather than by a direct seawards movement. For the eastern subspecies, Arripis trutta marginata (Cuvier & Valenciennes), young fish from 0+ to 2+ years are found predominantly in Tasmania and Victoria, and older fish from 4+ years in New South Wales. Recaptures of tagged fish indicate that there is a continual movement at all stages of the life cycle from Tasmania to Victoria and then to New South Wales. Fish within New South Wales also show evidence of a movement southwards, which probably occurs only once, to the eastern Bass Strait area. Fish older than 5+ years move increasingly northwards in New South Wales waters. For the eastern subspecies estimates of M, the instantaneous annual natural mortality coefficient, range from 0.5 to 1.0, and estimates of F, the instantaneous annual fishing mortality coefficient, range from 0.3 to 0.7. It is suggested that in the present eastern subspecies fishery greater yields should result from increasing the fishing pressure up to about twice the present value.


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