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This Element examines progress in research and practice in forensic authorship analysis. It describes the existing research base and examines what makes an authorship analysis more or less reliable. Further to this, the author describes the recent history of forensic science and the scientific revolution brought about by the invention of DNA evidence. They chart the rise of three major changes in forensic science - the recognition of contextual bias in analysts, the need for validation studies and shift in logic of providing identification evidence. This Element addresses the idea of progress in forensic authorship analysis in terms of these three issues with regard to new knowledge about the nature of authorship and methods in stylistics and stylometry. The author proposes that the focus needs to shift to validation of protocols for approaching case questions, rather than on validation of systems or general approaches. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core

"This book provides an account of our theoretical approach to identity and its relationship with linguistic performance, particularly within the context of online criminal interactions and communities. We report on findings from a project investigating the assumption of identities online, drawing on Instant Messaging (IM) data from a variety of contexts, both 'real life' and experimental, in order to expound the implications of our approach for the training and professional practice of online undercover investigators"--

How does the mind of a criminal work? How can you stop criminals from re-offending? What does being in prison do to your mind? From lie detection to psychological profiling, Professor Ray Bull and his team of experts demonstrate how understanding the mind is essential in the fight against criminality. Covering prisons, police methods, and eyewitness reliability, this book provides an authoritative introduction to the fascinating research underpinning modern criminal psychology. Professor Ray Bull is Director of Postgraduate Courses in Forensic Psychology at University of Leicester, where his

Who would have thought that when the Centre for Design (CfD) was established in 1989, employing the overarching methodology of Life Cycle thinking would cement it as a leading force for years to come? The Centre for Design was a very successful research organisation that was known locally, but more so globally, for its independent, innovative, and applied research. This work was driven by practical approaches and engagement with key industry and government bodies, to inform government policy and provide industry solutions. The Centre pioneered lca in Australia and established itself as the leading voice, the "go to research group" that combined a multi-disciplinary team with a sharp eye for identifying early-on the needs of industry and Government. The article reflects upon the LCA projects undertaken and their impact within industry and government policy.

The aim of the present study was to (a) assess the reliability with which indecent images of children (IIOC) are classified as being of an indecent versus nonindecent nature, and (b) examine in detail the decision-making process engaged in by law enforcement personnel who undertake the difficult task of identifying and classifying IIOC as per the current legislative offense categories. One experienced researcher and four employees from a police force in the United Kingdom coded an extensive amount of IIOC ( n = 1,212-2,233) to determine if they (a) were deemed to be of an indecent nature, and (b) depicted a child. Interrater reliability analyses revealed both considerable agreement and disagreement across coders, which were followed up with two focus groups involving the four employees. The first entailed a general discussion of the aspects that made such material more or less difficult to identify; the second focused around images where there had been either agreement ( n = 20) or disagreement ( n = 36) across coders that the images were of an indecent nature. Using thematic analysis, a number of factors apparent within IIOC were revealed to make the determination of youthfulness and indecency significantly more challenging for coders, with most relating to the developmental stage of the victim and the ambiguity of the context of an image. Findings are discussed in light of their implications for the identification of victims of ongoing sexual exploitation/abuse, the assessment and treatment of individuals in possession of IIOC, as well as the practice of policing and sentencing this type of offending behavior.

The aim of the present study was to (a) assess the reliability with which indecent images of children (IIOC) are classified as being of an indecent versus nonindecent nature, and (b) examine in detail the decision-making process engaged in by law enforcement personnel who undertake the difficult task of identifying and classifying IIOC as per the current legislative offense categories. One experienced researcher and four employees from a police force in the United Kingdom coded an extensive amount of IIOC (n = 1,212-2,233) to determine if they (a) were deemed to be of an indecent nature, and (b) depicted a child. Interrater reliability analyses revealed both considerable agreement and disagreement across coders, which were followed up with two focus groups involving the four employees. The first entailed a general discussion of the aspects that made such material more or less difficult to identify; the second focused around images where there had been either agreement (n = 20) or disagreement (n = 36) across coders that the images were of an indecent nature. Using thematic analysis, a number of factors apparent within IIOC were revealed to make the determination of youthfulness and indecency significantly more challenging for coders, with most relating to the developmental stage of the victim and the ambiguity of the context of an image. Findings are discussed in light of their implications for the identification of victims of ongoing sexual exploitation/abuse, the assessment and treatment of individuals in possession of IIOC, as well as the practice of policing and sentencing this type of offending behavior.