Detection of Feigning of Different Symptom Presentations With the PAI and IOP-29

This study examined the effectiveness of the negative distortion measures from the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) and Inventory of Problems-29 (IOP-29), by investigating data from a community and a forensic sample, across three different symptom presentations (i.e., feigned depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], and schizophrenia). The final sample consisted of 513 community-based individuals and 288 inmates (total N = 801); all were administered the PAI and the IOP-29 in an honest or feigning conditions. Statistical analyses compared the average scores of each measure by symptom presentation and data source (i.e., community vs. forensic sample) and evaluated diagnostic efficiency statistics. Results suggest that the PAI Negative Impression Management scale and the IOP-29 are the most effective measures across all symptom presentations, whereas the PAI Malingering Index and Rogers Discriminant Function generated less optimal results, especially when considering feigned PTSD. Practical implications are discussed.

Optimized Protocol for Chelex-based Extraction of DNA from Historical Skeletal Remains and Forensic Trace Samples

PCR-based analysis of skeletonized human remains is a common aspect in both forensic human identification as well as Ancient DNA research. In this, both areas not merely utilize very similar methodology, but also share the same problems regarding quantity and quality of recovered DNA and presence of inhibitory substances in samples from excavated remains. To enable amplification based analysis of the remains, development of optimized DNA extraction procedures is thus a critical factor in both areas.The method paper here presents an optimized protocol for DNA extraction from ancient skeletonized remains using Chelex-100, with improved effectively in yielding amplifiable extracts from sample material excavated after centuries in a soil environment, which consequently have high inhibitor content and overall limited DNA preservation. Further studies showed that the optimized protocol can likewise be utilized for extraction of DNA from common and trace Forensic sample material.

Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA): exploring factor structure

Purpose This paper aims to assess whether the factor structure of the Psychopathic Processing and Personality Assessment (PAPA) could be confirmed in a large community sample (n = 1,850), comprising three subsamples of adult men (n = 189, 248 and 198) and women (n = 499, 469 and 247). It was predicted that the four-factor solution originally proposed in earlier studies (i.e. dissocial tendencies, emotional detachment, disregard for others, lack of sensitivity to emotion) would be replicated and produce a multi-dimensional structure consistent across sex. Design/methodology/approach This study explored the structure of the newly developed PAPA among a non-forensic sample. Findings Although exploratory analysis indicated a four-factor solution, the structure was different with “lack of sensitivity to emotion” being replaced by “responsiveness to perceived aggression.” Confirmatory analyses supported this structure among women, yet a three-factor structure was preferred for men that excluded emotional detachment. Research limitations/implications This study highlights the importance of attending to sex differences when assessing for psychopathy. Originality/value This is the first confirmatory factor analysis completed on the PAPA, with the findings conveying its value when assessing for psychopathic traits among a community sample.

Toward a Differentiated Assessment of Narcissism in Forensic Contexts: Validating the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire–Short Scale (NARQ-S) in a Forensic Sample

Grandiose narcissism is a multidimensional construct consisting of agentic and antagonistic aspects with markedly distinct correlates and consequences. However, this complexity has not been reflected in how grandiose narcissism is measured and investigated in forensic contexts. To provide a more nuanced picture of narcissism in a forensic context, we harnessed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept. More precisely, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire–Short Scale (NARQ-S) in self- and informant reports of 199 male prisoners. Results confirmed the two-dimensional structure, acceptable internal consistency, moderate self-other agreement, and a differentiated nomological network for the NARQ-S. Admiration and rivalry showed distinct associations with criminal history, institutional misbehaviors, and social status in the group of prisoners. Together, the findings provide initial evidence for the validity and utility of self- and informant reports of the NARQ-S in forensic contexts and its contribution to security and treatment recommendations.

A portable sperm cell purification instrument based on continuous flow acoustophoretic separation of sperm cells for on-site forensic sample pretreatment

Obtaining purified male sperm specimen from the original forensic sample mixtures is a critical procedure in identifying criminal suspect in the forensic analysis of sexual assult crimes. Differential extraction (DE)...

Toward a differentiated assessment of narcissism in forensic contexts: Validating the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire Short Scale (NARQ-S) in a forensic sample

Grandiose narcissism is a multidimensional construct consisting of agentic and antagonistic aspects with markedly distinct correlates and consequences. However, this complexity has not been reflected in how grandiose narcissism is measured and investigated in forensic contexts. To provide a more nuanced picture of narcissism in a forensic context, we harnessed the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Concept. More precisely, we investigated the psychometric properties of the Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire short scale (NARQ-S) in self- and informant reports of 199 male prisoners. Results confirmed the two-dimensional structure, acceptable internal consistency, moderate self-other agreement, and a differentiated nomological network for the NARQ-S. Admiration and rivalry showed distinct associations with criminal history, institutional misbehaviors, and social status in the group of prisoners. Together, the findings provide initial evidence for the validity and utility of self- and informant reports of the NARQ-S in forensic contexts and its contribution to security and treatment recommendations.