Janet I. Warren

Threatening and Otherwise Inappropriate Letters to Hollywood Celebrities

In this paper, the authors examine the characteristics of threatening and otherwise inappropriate letters sent to Hollywood celebrities. Such communications, known colloquially as “nut mail,” “hate mail,” obscene letters, and threat letters, are received by the famous in enormous volume. We studied approximately 1800 such letters to entertainment celebrities from 214 subjects, who averaged 8 letters apiece. We quote excerpts from these letters, describe objects enclosed with them, and provide quantitative data on such variables as the form, appearance, volume, and duration of such letters; the subjects perceived relationship to the celebrity; the thematic content of the letters; and the messages and threats they communicate. Comparisons between 107 subjects who pursued encounters with the celebrities and 107 who did not revealed 15 factors associated with such pursuit. Contrary to expectation, the presence or absence of threats was not associated with pursuit behavior.

The Sexually Sadistic Serial Killer

This article explores characteristics and crime scene behavior of 20 sexually sadistic serial murderers. The pairing of character pathology with paraphilic arousal to the control and degradation of others is examined as it manifests itself in their murders. Commonalities across murders and across murderers are highlighted, i.e., the execution of murders that are well-planned, the use of preselected locations, captivity, a variety of painful sexual acts, sexual bondage, intentional torture, and death by means of strangulation and stabbing.

Asperger's Syndrome in Forensic Settings

Researchers and clinicians have devoted increasing attention to Aspergers syndrome during the past two decades. Although Aspergers syndrome is a developmental disorder, professionals in a variety of settings have begun to consider the diagnosis among adults who manifest social and communication abnormalities. Case studies (e.g., Baron-Cohen, 1988; Kohn et al., 1998) and prevalence research (Scragg & Shah, 1994) from forensic settings indicate that a small subset of Aspergers syndrome patients come into contact with the legal system due to their social impairments and idiosyncratic interests. We provide case histories of individuals with Aspergers syndrome encountered in forensic contexts and discuss the implications of this disorder for forensic clinicians. Our six cases were notable for certain commonalties, including deficient empathy. The cases also revealed ways in which Aspergers patients tend to differ from most individuals in forensic settings.

Psychopathy in women: structural modeling and comorbidity.

Janet I. Warren*, Mandi L. Burnette, Susan C. South, Preeti Chauhan, Risha Bale, Roxanne Friend, Isaac Van Patten Professor, Research Associates, Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA Associate Director, UVA Health Systems, Charlottesville, VA, USA Director, Mental Health Unit, Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, Troy, VA, USA Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, VA, USA Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Radford University, Radford, VA, USA

Predicting Rapist Type from Crime-Scene Variables:

Secondary data analyses on two analogous data sets assessed the ability of crime-scene variables observed in serial rapes to predict classification in the Massachusetts Treatment Center, Rapist Typology Version 3 (MTC:R3). Data sets from the FBI containing extensive coding of crime-scene information but minimal offender data were analyzed to select optimal predictors by examining the frequencies and both within-crime and across-crime consistencies of crime-scene indicators. Analogous predictors were identified in the MTC database, which contains extensive offender data but minimal crime-scene data, and these indicators were employed to predict rapist type. Promising predictive results emerged in the domains of adult antisocial and expressive aggression. In addition, the domains of sadism, offense planning, and relation with victim showed high internal consistency and good to high cross-crime consistency, suggesting that predictive scales are possible for these domains.

Linkage analysis: Modus operandi, ritual, and signature in serial sexual crime

Abstract This article examines a process of behavioral analysis, referred to as linkage analysis , used in identifying sexual offenses that have been committed by the same offender. This type of analysis examines behavior that is contained in three distinct components of a crime, that is, the modus operandi (MO) or the “how to” of a crime, the ritual or fantasy-based behaviors for a particular type or series of sexual crimes, the signature or unique combination of behaviors, which suggests that a series of crimes has been perpetrated by the same offender. Linkage analysis involves five assessment procedures: (1) gathering detailed, varied, and multisource documentation; (2) reviewing the documentation and identifying the significant features of each crime individually across the series; (3) classifying the significant features of the crime as either MO and/or ritualistic constructs; (4) comparing the combination of MO and ritualistic features across the crimes to determine if a signature exists; and (5) compiling a written analysis that details the conclusions derived from the available information. Results of this type of analysis can be used for investigative purposes and, in some instances, can help to inform the decision making of the courts.

Psychiatric symptoms, history of victimization, and violent behavior among incarcerated female felons: an American perspective.

Janet I. Warren*, Susan Hurt, Ann Booker Loper, Risha Bale, Roxanne Friend, Preeti Chauhan Associate Director, Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy, University of Virginia, UVA Health Systems, PO Box 800660, Charlottesville, VA, USA Prison Project Manager, Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy, University of Virginia, UVA Health Systems, PO Box 800660, Charlottesville, VA, USA Associate Professor of Education, Curry School of Education and Clinical Psychology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA Director, Mental Health Unit, Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women, Troy, VA, USA Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, Virginia Department of Corrections, Richmond, VA, USA Research Programs Coordinator, Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy, University of Virginia, UVA Health Systems, PO Box 800660, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Serial Rape Correlates of Increased Aggression and the Relationship of Offender Pleasure to Victim Resistance

In this study, data were collected from 41 incarcerated serial rapists concerning their first, middle, and last rapes. Selection criteria required that the subjects had raped at least ten times. Collectively, the sample was found to be responsible for 837 rapes, more than 400 attempted rapes, and over 5,000 “nuisance” sexual offenses. Results showed that while the amount of force used by the rapist did not change from first to last rape overall, there were ten individuals for whom the amount of force did increase from first to last rape. Four correlates were identified that distinguished these “increasers” from “nonincreasers.” The data also indicated that when the victim resisted, the amount of pleasure experienced by the rapist was greater and the duration of the rape was longer.

Exploring Prison Adjustment among Female Inmates: Issues of Measurement and Prediction

This article explores the factor structure and concurrent validity of the Prison Adjustment Questionnaire with a cohort of 777 maximum-security female inmates. Results suggest a two-factor solution of a Distress factor and a Conflict factor, both of which demonstrate good concurrent validity using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) Global Severity Score, institutional misconduct, security level, and self-report violence. Regression analyses indicate scores on the Distress factor were predicted by the BSI Anxiety Scale, having children, not being of minority status, and prior incarceration. Scores on the Conflict factor were predicted by BSI Hostility, BSI Phobic Anxiety, presence of a personality disorder, being married, being the victim of threats and physical assaults, time served, and being incarcerated for a violent crime.

The sexually violent offender: Impulsive or ritualistic?

The article presents and develops a paradigm of serial, sexual offenders derived from our criminal investigative analysis experience and research. The paradigm delineates two major categories of sexually violent offenders. The Impulsive Offender is described as being criminally unsophisticated, and largely reactive in terms of his victim selection and crime-scene behavior. It is observed that this type of offender is often characterized by a diverse criminal history, rather generic sexual interests, and significant levels of physical violence. The Ritualistic Offender, in contrast, is characterized by diverse paraphilic interests, a pervasive and defining fantasy life, and a carefully developed and executed set of crime-scene behaviors. These two distinctions are examined as they inform the analysis of a sexually violent crime by criminal investigative analysts as well as the clinical evaluation of these offenders within a forensic context. The potential utility of this type of paradigmatic delineation for risk assessments and for assessing the potential for future recidivism is also highlighted.