Ronald M. Holmes

Individual and situational determinants of police force: An examination of threat presentation

This study is based on previous research denoting the primary factors that influence officer decisions regarding the use of differing levels of force in police-citizen encounters. Using a totality of the circumstance approach, primary emphasis is directed toward explaining those factors that contribute to officers’ estimation of the perceived level of threat inherent in police-citizen encounters. Officers’ perceived level of threat presented by a suspect or the situational context of an encounter is important because in 1989, the Supreme Court in theGraham v. Conner decision mandated that the appropriate amount of force that can be utilized depends on the following four primary factors: the threat, offense severity, actual resistance offered, and whether the suspect is trying to escape custody. These criteria were tested and placed into a predictive model along with other indicators the literature has found to be correlated with situations in which police force is used more often. The findings suggest that while the threat presented to officers is important and related to the level of force that is deemed appropriate by the police profession, many additional elements must be taken into consideration when interpreting if an officer used force correctly.

Fractured Identity Syndrome A New Theory of Serial Murder

The topic of serial murder has captured the attention of many in the academic community. A quick scan of the best selling novels in any given week are likely to include at least a couple of postings about a serial or other type of predatorial killer. Even on college campuses today, courses on serial murder rank as one of the hardest classes for students to get in to. Despite the attention currently being paid to the topic of serial killing, relatively little is known about the intrinsic motivation and etiology of these individuals. This is the purpose of this article. In it, we examine the current literature concerning serial murder and explain how current theories are often no more than physical descriptions or characteristics of these murderers acts. In this article, we propose a new theory of serial murder merging elements of Cooleys Looking Glass Self and Goffmans Virtual and Actual Social Identity calling it “Fractured Identity Syndrome” (FIS). In doing so, our purpose is clear. It is to get the profession to begin to think about and develop theories concerning what causes the serial murderer to abandon normal modes of behavior and brutally take the lives of his/her victims.

Female Serial Murderesses: Constructing Differentiating Typologies

Despite the claims of several researchers in the examina tion of serial murder that there are no female serial killers, the authors have researched the serial murders which have occurred during the past fifty years and discovered a large number of female serial murderesses. There is an attempt to establish a typology of females who killed serially in the same fashion which has been already formed with male serial killers. With this typology discussed, homicidal behavioral traits are also discussed.

Inside the mind of the serial murder

This article approaches a position of delving into the thoughts of those who commit murder serially. The information comes from a variety of sources which include research literature, theory examination and most importantly, serial murderers themselves. More than 400 cases of serial fatal violence as well as interviews with incarcerated serial killers were utilized. Important issues such as locus of motives, expected gains, victim selection processes, planning of the event, the murder event itself, and organization and disorganization of the kill are also discussed. While admitting that serial killers have never been rehabilitated, a call is directed toward a better understanding of the mind of the serial murderer.

The effect of shock and regular probation upon recidivism: A comparative analysis

Previous studies of shock probation have reported mixed effects with regard to recidivism rates. This particular study compared the attributes of a sample of shock and regular probationers and discovered that type of probation was not significantly related to rearrest rates.

Introduction to gangs in America

Gangs The Structure of Gangs Types of Gangs Racial and Ethnic Gangs Chicano/Hispanic Gangs Asian Gangs Types of Gang Members Gang Members: Perpetrators and Victims Gangs and Homicide Defining and Counting Gang Homicides Characteristics of Gang Homicides Who Is Involved Where Gang Homicides Occur How Gang Homicides Are Committed Drive-By Shootings Homicide and Other Criminal Offenses Gang Homicide and Community Crime Rates Gang Homicide and Other Homicides/Assaults Drug Trafficking Gangs and Police Police Response to Gangs Police Gang Units Gang Unit Officers Community Partners Working with Police Creating and Sustaining a Successful Strategy to Address Gang Problems Gangs and Schools Extent of Gangs in Schools Motivations to Joining a Gang Gang Recruitment Effects of Gang Membership and School Gang Affiliation Gangs and School Violence Motorcycle Gangs Americas Motorcycle Gangs: A Brief History Biker Violence in Other Countries Europes Five Major Biker Gangs Motorcycle Gangs in the United States: The Big Four The Outlaws The Hells Angels The Bandidos The Pagans Gang Structure The Outlaws Motorcycle Gang History of the Outlaws Organization and Definition of Officers Colors and Patches of Sets and Memberships A Day in the Life of an Outlaw Criminal Behaviors Brotherhood and Collegiality The Pagans Motorcycle Club History of the Pagans Motorcycle Club Membership Criminal Activities Patches and Colors Chapters and Subsets The Bandidos Motorcycle Club A Short History of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club Criminal History of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club The Hells Angels A Short History of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Membership Requirements Patches and Colors of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Charters Crime, Criminals, and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club Women in Gangs Research on Females in Gangs The Number of Females in Gangs Crimes and Delinquency of Females in Gangs Risk Factors Associated with Females Joining Gangs Prison Gangs Introduction What Is a Prison Gang? Profiles of Prison Gangs Bloods Aryan Brotherhood Black Guerrilla Family Mexican Mafia Texas Syndicate Neta Islamic Gangs Structure of Prison Gangs Prison Gangs and Prison Culture Prison Gang Leaders Prison Gangs and Violence How Prison Officials Work to Control Prison Gangs Gang Policy Community Policies Spergel and Currys Developmental Community Interventions Effectiveness of These Policies A Risk-Focused Approach Individual Characteristics Bonding Healthy Beliefs and Clear Standards Examples of Community Policies and Programs to Reduce Gangs and Gang Life Legal Policies Policing Prosecution Legislature References Index