Allen G. Burgess

Investigating stalking crimes

1. Three types of stalkers that are identified in this crime classification are the non-domestic stalker who may know the target through social contact or from a random meeting in a public place; the domestic stalker who may be known to the target and had a close personal relationship with the target; and the erotomania stalker whose target is typically a public figure. 2. Stalking is conceptualized on a continuum from nondelusional to delusional behavior. 3. Classification of a crime is the first step in the investigative process.

Examining violence in the workplace. A look at work-related fatalities.

This study identified only 6 out of a possible 33 homicide classifications for workplace violent crime. As expected, the largest number of offenders represented authority killings. Half that number, however, had the largest number of victims and were classified as nonspecific homicide. Interestingly, there is a high number of domestic homicides occurring in the workplace. One could speculate that as families break up, addresses and telephone numbers easily can be changed--but not necessarily employment. Victims are sought out at their places of employment and killed there. Argument/conflict homicides, which were expected to be high, accounted for only 7 homicides. Another important finding was the large number of suicides in this offender group. An important implication of this study for nurses is that violence in the workplace sometimes can be anticipated and possibly deterred. Hospitals and other facilities--with proper preparation and training of employees, and implementation of strict protocols--can become safer workplaces. In the event that workplace violence does occur, however, the nurse can be prepared--and perhaps save his or her life.

Patterns of federal Internet offenders: A pilot study

&NA; Internet‐facilitated sexual offending is receiving increased forensic and clinical attention. Two issues confront this field. First, studies are equivocal as to whether (or not) the possession of Internet pornography can escalate to contact sexual offenses against a child, and second, federal judges have been questioning the length of sentences for users only of child pornography. The findings of this pilot study of 101 federal Internet offenders revealed over half of the men at the time of arrest were employed, educated, were in (or had been in) a relationship, had children, and did not have a prior criminal offense, suggesting a changing profile of a convicted sex offender. Forensic and psychiatric nurses who evaluate users of child pornography contraband need to be knowledgeable of Internet file transfer technology and the various types of contraband viewed specifically for the age of the preferred child, extreme acts to the child (e.g., bondage, S&M), and whether the user prefers images of adults with children or images of children only.

Hospital Communication Threats and Intervention

1. Threats are indirect acts of criminal behavior designed to weaken or injure individuals, institutions, or property. 2. All threats should be analyzed and investigated quickly and with high priority. 3. An interdisciplinary hospital team should conduct periodic reviews of threats received, threat management, and case outcome.