Clothes Don’t Maketh the Man Nor a Criminal Profiler an Expert Witness

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 1317-1340
Author(s):  
Richard N. Kocsis ◽  
George B. Palermo
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Expert Witness ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Criminal Profiling ◽  
Professional Groups ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Law Enforcement Personnel ◽  
Investigative Technique

The article by Kocsis and Palermo, published in 2016, examined the findings of research which had assessed the validity of the investigative technique colloquially known as criminal profiling. These findings were subsequently considered within the framework of their relevance to the admissibility of the technique as a form of expert witness evidence. The overall conclusion was that a discrete facet of the profiling technique may satisfy some of the requisite legal criteria for admissibility in jurisdictions within the United States. However, this conclusion was based upon studies which used samples of senior forensic psychiatrists and psychologists as the tested profilers. In this regard, it was noted that this parameter may preclude the generalization of this conclusion to other professional groups who do not possess such qualifications. Accordingly, the present article explores the potential admissibility of law enforcement personnel who are not qualified forensic mental health practitioners tendering expert witness evidence in the nature of criminal profiling. The conclusion of this analysis is that law enforcement personnel who possess suitable expertise in the analytic task of criminal profiling arguably possess an analogous knowledge base akin to the aforementioned senior forensic psychiatrists and psychologists. On this basis, the conclusions in Kocsis and Palermo, published in 2016, may extend to such personnel and their potential to likewise provide expert witness evidence.

Evaluation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianni Pirelli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Assessment ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Inpatient Settings ◽  
Forensic Mental Health Assessment

In this chapter, the authors address evaluations across settings and contexts, such as mental health screenings conducted in community, outpatient, and inpatient settings, with particular attention to the considerations necessary for evaluators, including the need to develop and maintain firearm-specific and cultural competence. They present considerations associated with seven firearm-related subcultures that medical and mental health practitioners are likely to encounter with some regularity. They also speak to the importance of researchers, academics, and students developing such competence. They outline the concept of forensic mental health assessment and demonstrate how certain firearm-specific evaluations are a type of this. They provide considerations related to evaluating civilians applying for firearm permits and those seeking reinstatement of gun rights in forfeiture matters. They review the various models of risk assessment and a firearm-specific framework for conducting these evaluations: the Pirelli Firearm-10. Considerations for law enforcement and related professions are also presented.

scholarly journals Forensic Mental Health Practitioners’ Use of Structured Risk Assessment Instruments, Views About Bias in Risk Evaluations, and Strategies to Counteract It

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kamorowski ◽  
Corine de Ruiter ◽  
Maartje Schreuder ◽  
Karl Ask ◽  
Marko Jelicic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Blind Spot ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Bias Blind Spot ◽  
And Training

The use of structured risk assessment instruments (SRAIs) has increased significantly over the past decades, with research documenting variation between countries. The use of SRAIs, their perceived utility and potential for mitigating bias in forensic risk evaluations (FREs) was investigated in a survey of Dutch forensic mental health practitioners (N = 110) We found generally positive views regarding SRAI utility. Bias in FREs was of concern to respondents. We found no evidence of a bias blind spot (the belief that oneself is less prone to bias than peers/colleagues). SRAIs were rated as the most effective debiasing strategy, but respondents also endorsed introspection. There were few differences in beliefs about sources of bias or debiasing strategies between respondents who had bias training and those who had not, suggesting the need for development of effective strategies to mitigate bias and training related to bias in FREs.

Couple Therapy: Theoretical Perspectives and Empirical Findings

2010 ◽  
pp. 789-810
Author(s):  
Donald H. Baucom ◽  
Norman B. Epstein ◽  
Jennifer S. Kirby ◽  
Mariana K. Falconier
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Couple Therapy ◽  
Divorce Rate ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy ◽  
Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Emotionally Focused

Whereas most couples enter into marriage or similar committed, romantic relationships with the full expectation that they will live their lives together in a happy and rewarding manner, the divorce rate in the United States and many Western countries continues to be alarmingly high—in the United States hovering around 50%. As a result, mental health practitioners have focused energy on ways to alleviate relationship distress. Many approaches for assisting distressed couples have been developed, yet few have been evaluated to demonstrate that they actually help couples. The current chapter provides an overview of the major models of couple therapy that have been evaluated in well-controlled research studies and have demonstrated that they benefit couples. The models included are: behavioral couple therapy, cognitive-behavioral couple therapy, integrative behavioral couple therapy, emotionally focused couple therapy, and insight-oriented couple therapy. For each model, the theoretical approach, overall interventions, and effectiveness are discussed.

scholarly journals Law enforcement personnel are willing to change, but report influencing beliefs and barriers to optimised dietary intake

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen MacKenzie-Shalders ◽  
Charlene Matthews ◽  
Joe Dulla ◽  
Robin Orr
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Protein ◽  
Short Version ◽  
Law Enforcement Personnel

Abstract Background Law enforcement personnel have been recognized as having a high risk for several lifestyle-related health conditions which, in combination with the nature of their work (sedentary roles interspersed with intermittent high-intensity activity, shift work, and a high stress-load), can have a negative impact on their health. The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and factors or barriers influencing these habits within a cohort of law enforcement personnel in the United States of America. Method Cross-sectional data were obtained via validated paper-based surveys being the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating, Food Choice Questionnaire and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants, Short Version. Results A total of 159 participants (median age = 27 [range 19–60] years; 74% males) participated. Barriers to healthy eating included being busy and irregular working hours. Overall, 91% (n = 143) placed high importance on consuming nutritious food and 80% (n = 126) on food high in vitamins and minerals. A further 80% (n = 127) emphasized high protein content and 41% (n = 62) followed a high protein diet. Barriers to healthy eating included busy lifestyle (60%, n = 94), and irregular working hours (41%, n = 64). Overall, 80% (n = 127) were very willing to make changes in eating habits to be healthier. Conclusion Law enforcement officers know what they should eat and report convenience and health the most important factors guiding their food choices. Knowing this, officers find challenges putting good dietary practices into practice due to factors like a busy lifestyle and irregular work hours. Reportedly “very willing” to make changes in their eating habits to be healthier, future interventions should focus on how to effect changes to their eating habits as opposed to focussing on what to eat.

scholarly journals Commentary on Jonathan Raskin’s “What Might an Alternative to the DSM Suitable for Psychotherapists Look Like?”

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 376-384
Author(s):  
Rachel Cooper
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Health Care Insurance ◽  
New Classification ◽  
Statistical Manual ◽  
Diagnostic And Statistical Manual ◽  
Basic Assumptions ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
History Of

Many mental health practitioners find it necessary to use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM) for insurance purposes but are unhappy with its basic assumptions. This raises the question—Would it be possible to devise a new classification system that (1) could be used for insurance purposes and (2) would be based on alternative principles? In the main, this commentary is pessimistic. Through considering the history of attempts to devise alternatives to the DSM, I will argue that it would be extremely difficult to develop an alternative to the DSM that could be used to fund psychotherapy via health care insurance in the United States.

Hmong women, marital factors and mental health status

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 164-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pa Der Vang ◽  
Matthew Bogenschutz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Great Effort ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Traditional Marriage ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Hmong Women ◽  
Marital Abuse

• Summary: An online survey was completed by Hmong women in the United States ( n = 186). The survey was distributed via listserves and websites frequently used by Hmong women, and solicited information about marital factors, presence and intensity of depressive symptoms, and socio-demographic circumstances. • Findings: The findings of this article indicate a significant relationship between marital abuse and depression among women married as teenagers when compared to non-abused women who married in adulthood. Excessive worry and feeling like everything takes great effort were the two most frequently reported indicators of depression reported by Hmong women in this sample. Additional marital and socio-demographic factors are explored in their relationship with depressive presentation. • Applications: These findings suggest that mental health practitioners working with Hmong women may need to be particularly attuned to issues of marital stressors related to traditional marriage practices and cultural stressors.

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