Articles tagged with: Criminology & Criminal Justice
Predicting Outcomes for Youth Transferred to Adult Court
Abstract Extant research regarding juvenile transfer has focused primarily on the negative effects of current policies, with little
consistent and rigorous work on the variation among the adolescents transferred to adult court and their later adjustment
in the community. Using a sample of 193 transferred youth from Arizona, we consider how certain individual characteristics
are related to four post-release outcomes (antisocial activity, re-arrest, re-institutionalization, and gainful activity).
We find considerable variability in [...]
Abstract Extant research regarding juvenile transfer has focused primarily on the negative effects of current policies, with little
consistent and rigorous work on the variation among the adolescents transferred to adult court and their later adjustment
in the community. Using a sample of 193 transferred youth from Arizona, we consider how certain individual characteristics
are related to four post-release outcomes (antisocial activity, re-arrest, re-institutionalization, and gainful activity).
We find considerable variability in [...]
Differential Effects of Adult Court Transfer on Juvenile Offender Recidivism
Abstract Prior research indicates that adolescent offenders transferred to adult court are more likely to recidivate than those retained
in the juvenile system. The studies supporting this conclusion, however, are limited in addressing the issue of heterogeneity
among transferred adolescents. This study estimates the effect of transfer on later crime using a sample of 654 serious juvenile
offenders, 29% of whom were transferred. We use propensity score matching to reduce potential selection bias, and we partition
the sample on le [...]
Abstract Prior research indicates that adolescent offenders transferred to adult court are more likely to recidivate than those retained
in the juvenile system. The studies supporting this conclusion, however, are limited in addressing the issue of heterogeneity
among transferred adolescents. This study estimates the effect of transfer on later crime using a sample of 654 serious juvenile
offenders, 29% of whom were transferred. We use propensity score matching to reduce potential selection bias, and we partition
the sample on le [...]
What We Know Now: The Evanston Illinois Field Lineups
Abstract A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit secured 100 eyewitness identification reports from Evanston, Illinois, one of three cities
of the Illinois Pilot Program. The files provide empirical evidence regarding three methodological aspects of the Program’s
comparison of non-blind simultaneous to double-blind sequential lineups. (1) A-priori differences existed between lineup conditions.
For example, the simultaneous non-blind lineup condition was more likely to involve witnesses who had already identified the
suspect in a p [...]
Abstract A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit secured 100 eyewitness identification reports from Evanston, Illinois, one of three cities
of the Illinois Pilot Program. The files provide empirical evidence regarding three methodological aspects of the Program’s
comparison of non-blind simultaneous to double-blind sequential lineups. (1) A-priori differences existed between lineup conditions.
For example, the simultaneous non-blind lineup condition was more likely to involve witnesses who had already identified the
suspect in a p [...]
I Spy with My Little Eye: Jurors’ Detection of Internal Validity Threats in Expert Evidence
Abstract This experiment examined whether jury-eligible community members (N = 223) were able to detect internally invalid psychological science presented at trial. Participants read a simulated child
sexual abuse case in which the defense expert described a study he had conducted on witness memory and suggestibility. We
varied the study’s internal validity (valid, missing control group, confound, and experimenter bias) and publication status
(published, unpublished). Expert evidence quality ratings were higher for the [...]
Abstract This experiment examined whether jury-eligible community members (N = 223) were able to detect internally invalid psychological science presented at trial. Participants read a simulated child
sexual abuse case in which the defense expert described a study he had conducted on witness memory and suggestibility. We
varied the study’s internal validity (valid, missing control group, confound, and experimenter bias) and publication status
(published, unpublished). Expert evidence quality ratings were higher for the [...]
Assessing the Violent Offending and Violent Victimization Overlap Among Discharged Psychiatric Patients
Abstract Prior studies have documented linkages between mental disorder and both offending and victimization. However, few studies
have examined the violent offending–violent victimization overlap among mentally disordered individuals and none have examined
the factors that are jointly related to their covariation. Here, we assess this overlap during the first ten weeks following
hospital discharge among a large sample of psychiatric patients from three large cities. Findings indicate that: (1) violent
offending and violent vic [...]
Abstract Prior studies have documented linkages between mental disorder and both offending and victimization. However, few studies
have examined the violent offending–violent victimization overlap among mentally disordered individuals and none have examined
the factors that are jointly related to their covariation. Here, we assess this overlap during the first ten weeks following
hospital discharge among a large sample of psychiatric patients from three large cities. Findings indicate that: (1) violent
offending and violent vic [...]
The Effect of Framing Actuarial Risk Probabilities on Involuntary Civil Commitment Decisions
Abstract Despite a proliferation of actuarial risk assessment instruments, empirical research on the communication of violence risk
is scant and there is virtually no research on the consumption of actuarial risk assessment. Using a 2 × 3 Latin Square factorial
design, this experiment tested whether decision-makers are sensitive to varying levels of risk expressed probabilistically
and whether the framing of actuarial risk probabilities is consequential for commitment decisions. Consistent with research
on attribute fr [...]
Abstract Despite a proliferation of actuarial risk assessment instruments, empirical research on the communication of violence risk
is scant and there is virtually no research on the consumption of actuarial risk assessment. Using a 2 × 3 Latin Square factorial
design, this experiment tested whether decision-makers are sensitive to varying levels of risk expressed probabilistically
and whether the framing of actuarial risk probabilities is consequential for commitment decisions. Consistent with research
on attribute fr [...]
Attributions of Blame and Responsibility in Sexual Harassment: Reexamining a Psychological Model
Abstract Kelley’s (Nebr Symp Motiv 15:192–238, 1967) attribution theory can inform sexual harassment research by identifying how observers use consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness
information in determining whether a target or perpetrator is responsible for a sexual harassment situation. In this study,
Kelley’s theory is applied to a scenario in which a male perpetrator sexually harasses a female target in a university setting.
Results from 314 predominantly female college students indicate that consistency and consen [...]
Abstract Kelley’s (Nebr Symp Motiv 15:192–238, 1967) attribution theory can inform sexual harassment research by identifying how observers use consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness
information in determining whether a target or perpetrator is responsible for a sexual harassment situation. In this study,
Kelley’s theory is applied to a scenario in which a male perpetrator sexually harasses a female target in a university setting.
Results from 314 predominantly female college students indicate that consistency and consen [...]
Now Everyone Looks the Same: Alcohol Intoxication Reduces the Own-Race Bias in Face Recognition
Abstract Several factors influence the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence. Typically, recognition for same-race faces
is better than for different-race faces (the own-race bias), and alcohol intoxication decreases overall face recognition accuracy.
This research investigated how alcohol intoxication influences the own-race bias. Asian and European participants completed
tests of recognition memory for Asian and European faces when either mildly intoxicated (mean breath alcohol concentration
of .05) or when sober. C [...]
Abstract Several factors influence the reliability of eyewitness identification evidence. Typically, recognition for same-race faces
is better than for different-race faces (the own-race bias), and alcohol intoxication decreases overall face recognition accuracy.
This research investigated how alcohol intoxication influences the own-race bias. Asian and European participants completed
tests of recognition memory for Asian and European faces when either mildly intoxicated (mean breath alcohol concentration
of .05) or when sober. C [...]
Examining the Role of Interrogative Suggestibility in Miranda Rights Comprehension in Adolescents
Abstract This study aimed to further clarify the association between interrogative suggestibility and Miranda rights comprehension
in adolescents; in particular, we examined whether intellectual ability (IQ) serves as a mediator of this relationship. Participants
completed Grisso’s Miranda Instruments, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Gudjonsson Suggestibility
Scale. Many youth demonstrated poor comprehension of their rights, particularly younger and less intellectually capable adolescents.
Both yield and [...]
Abstract This study aimed to further clarify the association between interrogative suggestibility and Miranda rights comprehension
in adolescents; in particular, we examined whether intellectual ability (IQ) serves as a mediator of this relationship. Participants
completed Grisso’s Miranda Instruments, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Gudjonsson Suggestibility
Scale. Many youth demonstrated poor comprehension of their rights, particularly younger and less intellectually capable adolescents.
Both yield and [...]
Police-Induced Confessions, Risk Factors, and Recommendations: Looking Ahead
Abstract Reviewing the literature on police-induced confessions, we identified suspect characteristics and interrogation tactics that
influence confessions and their effects on juries. We concluded with a call for the mandatory electronic recording of interrogations
and a consideration of other possible reforms. The preceding commentaries make important substantive points that can lead
us forward—on the effects of videotaping of interrogations on case dispositions; on the study of non-custodial methods, such
as the controversia [...]
Abstract Reviewing the literature on police-induced confessions, we identified suspect characteristics and interrogation tactics that
influence confessions and their effects on juries. We concluded with a call for the mandatory electronic recording of interrogations
and a consideration of other possible reforms. The preceding commentaries make important substantive points that can lead
us forward—on the effects of videotaping of interrogations on case dispositions; on the study of non-custodial methods, such
as the controversia [...] 
