Paul V. Greenall

The UK WTC9/11 Evacuation Study: An Overview of the Methodologies Employed and Some Preliminary Analysis

This paper briefly describes the methodologies employed in the collection and storage of first-hand accounts of evacuation experiences derived from face-to-face interviews with evacuees from the World Trade Center (WTC) Twin Towers complex on 11 September 2001 and the development of the High-rise Evacuation Evaluation Database (HEED). The main focus of the paper is to present a preliminary analysis of data derived from the evacuation of the North Tower.

A study of stranger rapists from the English high security hospitals

Abstract Heterogeneity hinders our understanding of sexual violence; but does this problem extend to stranger rape and, if so, would the construction of homogeneous subtypes advance our understanding of this crime and aid criminal investigations and clinical practice? To answer these questions, 41 stranger rapists from the English high security hospitals were examined using version 3 of the Massachusetts Treatment Centre rapist typology (MTC:R3) and multidimensional scaling (MDS). The MTC:R3 suggested that sexual desire and opportunism were the primary motivations for these men, but that proportionately more psychopaths were violent and sadistic. In accordance with previous research, the men experienced problematic childhoods and displayed high rates of criminality and psychiatric morbidity in adulthood. However, MDS found that rapist histories and offence behaviours generally divide into sexual and violent themes. These results have important implications for theory, criminal investigations and clinical practice.

Understanding sexual homicide

Abstract Sexual homicide is a crime that receives much media attention, but one that still has a relatively small research base compared to other crimes. Although the idea of someone deriving sexual gratification from or during the killing of another is an anathema to many, forensic professionals need to understand sexual homicide and the range of circumstances and motivations that lie behind it. This paper explores this complex crime: it illustrates the various definitions and labels used; it suggests that sexual homicide is rare and is committed by individuals who, although having troubled histories, may not differ from other offenders. Then, by examining the various legal and behavioural circumstances in which sexual homicide can occur, this paper illustrates the diversity of sexual homicide and presents it in a more understandable manner. Finally, the paper suggests that knowledge of this diversity is required both for investigative and clinical purposes.

Adult Male-on-Female Stranger Sexual Homicide: A Descriptive (Baseline) Study From Great Britain

Research into stranger sexual homicide remains limited as is our understanding of this crime, and this can hinder criminal investigations and the assessment and management of offenders. This study aims to address this. Using data gathered by various British police forces, this study presents a descriptive profile of adult male-on-female stranger sexual homicide in Great Britain in recent years. Along with demographic and occupational data on offenders and victims, the criminal histories of offenders are illustrated as are their offense behaviors. The results are discussed in light of similar research, and future directions and implications are considered.

Exploring the criminal histories of stranger sexual killers

Although sexual homicide is receiving increasing research attention, few studies have examined the criminal histories of sexual killers in any detail. This study examined the criminal histories of 81 British stranger sexual killers to determine whether they were generalist, specialists or both and whether their criminal histories reflected violent, sexual, marginality and over control pathways. Results found most stranger sexual killers were generalist offenders and sexual homicide was part of a varied criminal repertoire and non-sexual crimes predominate. This ‘antisocial orientation’ means future offending may not be limited to sexual violence. Criminal histories reflected the violent, sexual, marginality and over control pathways, but offenders in the violent pathway were more criminally orientated. The clinical and investigative implications of these findings were considered as they suggest knowledge of the criminal histories of stranger sexual killers is an important consideration for criminal justice professionals.

Life in a prison‐based therapeutic community: one man's experience

Research suggests that prison‐based therapeutic communities (TCs) have a positive impact on inmates and recidivism. This study sought to establish the benefits of being in a prison‐based TC rather than a normal wing. A semi‐structured interview was conducted with an inmate on the TC at HMP Wymott in Lancashire and then analysed using thematic analysis.Eight themes emerged, suggesting that TCs are a better environment with better interpersonal relationships, have more help available, are safer, are more structured and hierarchical, have groups and group work, are more challenging, provide confrontational assistance and have various incentive schemes. Such factors brought real benefits to the research participant.Research on the efficacy of TCs is considered, as are the implications of this studys findings for the future of prison‐based TCs. Despite the positive findings, they should nonetheless be cautiously applied.

Assessing high risk offenders with personality disorder

Personality disorder was once a ‘diagnosis of exclusion’ and consequently many people, including offenders, were unable to access appropriate care. Some offenders therefore slipped through the net, with devastating consequences. However, recent developments in the health and criminal justice fields have sought to address this problem. One such initiative was the establishment in the Northwest of England of three specialist multi‐disciplinary Forensic Personality Disorder Assessment and Liaison Teams. Their task is to assess high‐risk offenders with personality disorder and provide a gate keeping and monitoring function to agencies involved in their care and management. This practice‐based paper outlines the work of the Greater Manchester team. It describes the teams approach to the assessment of these individuals and outlines some of the professional and ethical challenges encountered so far.

Themes and risk of sexual violence among the mentally ill: implications for understanding and treatment

Abstract This study examined the files of 11 men from a regional forensic service who committed acts of sexual violence in the context of a mental disorder. The aim was to identify what factors other than a mental disorder may be relevant when considering acts of sexual violence by the mentally ill and what treatment implications this might raise. Several men experienced troubled childhoods, involving abuse in the home and outside and adulthoods were marked by employment difficulties, psychiatric morbidity and criminality. Static-99 found most men presented a medium-high or higher risk of re-offending and risk was mostly linked to sexual deviance and range of victims. Thematic analysis suggested sexual violence was primarily motivated by factors such as anger/violence; psychotic drive; sexual disinhibition and paedophilia. However, medication was the primary treatment intervention, with no treatments aimed at addressing other motivational or risk factors. Although men with a mental illness exhibit similar psychiatric features, this study found they commit sexual violence for a variety of reasons. However, whilst anti-psychotic medication is an important treatment, there is a need to consider others if the nature and level of their future risk is to be effectively managed.

Sexual offending and antisocial personality: exploring the link

This paper explores the link between sexual offending and antisocial personality. Drawing on previous research, it illustrates that sex offenders with an antisocial personality are a heterogeneous group, differentiated by several factors. They victimise children, adults or both, those who victimise adults or adults and children are more psychopathic. They are motivated primarily by non‐sexual factors like opportunistic impulsivity or generalised anger, and violence is a source of erotic pleasure in some cases. A small group of men, however, are driven to offend by sadistic sexual fantasies of a serious nature, which develop over time and later form the basis of their violent predatory assaults. Varying definitions of antisocial personality confuse the research, and diagnostic co‐morbidity means that pure psychopathic types are probably rare.