Sex Offenses Perpetrated Against Older Adults: A Multivariate Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors.

The aim of this study was to thematically explore the relationship between crime scene behaviors and background characteristics of offenders who commit sexual offenses against female victims aged 60 years or more. Research and understanding of offense behaviors in this area is extremely limited; therefore, the study sought to provide a preliminary understanding and multivariate model of offense behaviors in cases where older female adults were sexually abused. Twenty-seven crime scene behaviors from 143 rape or attempted rape cases of an older adult victim were analyzed; frequency data were computed to provide base rate information, and Smallest Space Analysis provided a visual representation of the co-occurrence of crime scene behaviors. Three distinct dominant themes were identified, in which 56% of offenses displayed themes of Involvement (22%), Control (17%), and Hostility (16%). The relationship between each dominant theme and selected background characteristics was then analyzed. For example, offenders displaying an Involvement theme were found to be significantly less likely to have prior convictions. Significance was also found in the relationship between dominant themes and a "theft and kindred offence other" preconviction background characteristic. The findings demonstrate offending behavior can be separated into three distinct themes, providing an explanation of offender subtypes and supporting previous models found in other types of sexual offending. Applications for law enforcement agencies regarding identified themes and links with likely offender background characteristics are highlighted. Limitations and future research avenues are discussed.

Sex Differences in the Brain Transcriptome Related to Alcohol Effects and Alcohol Use Disorder.

There is compelling evidence that sex and gender have crucial roles in excessive alcohol (ethanol) consumption. Here, we review some of the data from the perspective of brain transcriptional differences between males and females, focusing on rodent animal models. A key emerging transcriptional feature is the role of neuroimmune processes. Microglia are the resident neuroimmune cells in the brain and exhibit substantial functional differences between males and females. Selective breeding for binge ethanol consumption and the impacts of chronic ethanol consumption and withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure all demonstrate sex-dependent neuroimmune signatures. A focus is on resolving sex-dependent differences in transcriptional responses to ethanol at the neurocircuitry level. Sex-dependent transcriptional differences are found in the extended amygdala and the nucleus accumbens. Telescoping of ethanol consumption is found in some, but not all, studies to be more prevalent in females. Recent transcriptional studies suggest that some sex differences may be due to female-dependent remodeling of the primary cilium. An interesting theme appears to be developing: at least from the animal model perspective, even when males and females are phenotypically similar, they differ significantly at the level of the transcriptome.

Alcohol Dependence in Rats Is Associated with Global Changes in Gene Expression in the Central Amygdala.

Alcohol dependence is associated with adverse consequences of alcohol (ethanol) use and is evident in most severe cases of alcohol use disorder (AUD). The central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) plays a critical role in the development of alcohol dependence and escalation of alcohol consumption in dependent subjects. Molecular mechanisms underlying the CeA-driven behavioral changes are not well understood. Here, we examined the effects of alcohol on global gene expression in the CeA using a chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor model in rats and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The CIE procedure resulted in robust changes in CeA gene expression during intoxication, as the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was significantly greater than those expected by chance. Over-representation analysis of cell types, functional groups and molecular pathways revealed biological categories potentially important for the development of alcohol dependence in our model. Genes specific for astrocytes, myelinating oligodendrocytes, and endothelial cells were over-represented in the DEG category, suggesting that these cell types were particularly affected by the CIE procedure. The majority of the over-represented functional groups and molecular pathways were directly related to the functions of glial and endothelial cells, including extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, myelination, and the regulation of innate immune response. A coordinated regulation of several ECM metalloproteinases (e.g., Mmp2; Mmp14), their substrates (e.g., multiple collagen genes and myelin basic protein; Mbp), and a metalloproteinase inhibitor, Reck, suggests a specific mechanism for ECM re-organization in response to chronic alcohol, which may modulate neuronal activity and result in behavioral changes, such as an escalation of alcohol drinking. Our results highlight the importance of glial and endothelial cells in the effects of chronic alcohol exposure on the CeA, and demonstrate further insight into the molecular mechanisms of alcohol dependence in rats. These molecular targets may be used in future studies to develop therapeutics to treat AUD.

Assisting the Investigation of Stranger Rapes: Predicting the Criminal Record of U.K. Stranger Rapists From Their Crime Scene Behaviors.

Davies, Wittebrood, and Jackson (1997) were among the first to investigate whether offense behaviors are predictive of criminal history, with the findings of their paper then utilized by the National Crime Agency (NCA) Behavioral Investigative Advisors (BIAs) when assisting rape investigations. The aim of the study was to replicate this seminal paper with a larger contemporary sample of U.K. stranger rapists as identified by NCA. Data from 474 adult male stranger rapists were obtained in relation to 22 crime scene behaviors and nine preconviction variables. Results indicated significant differences between the Davies et al. original data set and this contemporary data set in both the behaviors and the preconvictions they displayed. The contemporary sample was significantly less likely to use sighting precautions, use violence, and take fingerprint precautions. This sample was also significantly less likely to have any of the preconviction crime types, with the exception of drugs offenses. When exploring the current data set of stranger rapists, statistical analyses indicated a number of key offense behaviors that were able to predict the criminal history of stranger rapists. However, contrary to previous research, no behaviors were found to be associated with sexual offense preconvictions. The results highlight that behaviors and characteristics of stranger sex offenders have changed since the 1990s. The implications for practice are discussed.

Predicting the Criminal Records of Male-on-Female UK Homicide Offenders From Crime Scene Behaviors.

Offender profiling follows the idea that if offenders' crime scene actions can be empirically linked to their background characteristics, it will be possible to predict one from the other. There is a lack of research exploring whether homicide offenders' crime scene actions are predictive of their criminal histories, despite the potential utility of such information. The current study addresses this gap in the literature. A sample of 213 adult male-on-female homicides with sexual or unknown motive was drawn from a U.K.-wide database. Relationships between 13 preconviction variables and 29 crime scene behaviors were explored using a bivariate statistical approach. Subsequently, binary logistic regression models were used to predict the presence, or absence, of specific preconvictions based on a combination of offense behaviors. Analyses highlighted 16 statistically significant associations between key offense behaviors and previous convictions, these associations were often "less likely" to result in previous conviction. The analysis failed to find any association for various other variables, most notably sexual preconvictions. Results indicate offenders' criminal histories can be predicted from their offense behaviors, though not all preconvictions may be similarly suited. Implications for practice are discussed.

Body Part Removal: A Thematic Exploration of U.K. Homicide Offenses.

Body part removal (BPR) is a rare homicide phenomena, which emerges as a result of a variety of motives. Fifty-eight BPR U.K. homicide cases were analyzed. Findings indicated key characteristics within BPR murder offenses, with most offenders males; aged around 31 years; knew their victims; with presence of alcohol, drugs, and mental health issues; and more than two thirds of the sample had previous convictions, more than 50% for theft. Offense behaviors showed "multiple wounds" and "victim naked" as highest frequency, with the head as the most frequently removed body part. Smallest space analysis (SSA) identified two behavioral themes (expressive and instrumental) with 62.1% of cases classified as one of these. The study has provided the largest U.K. sample of BPR homicide, furthering understanding this type of offense and the offenders who commit it.

Transgenerational effects of developmental exposure to chlorpyrifos-oxon in zebrafish (DANIO RERIO).

The organophosphate chlorpyrifos, and its active metabolite chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO), have been attributed to a number of neurodevelopmental disorders. It is unclear if the adverse effects associated with developmental exposure to the active CPO persist into adulthood and future generations. The goal of this study was to investigate whether CPO-associated changes in embryo-larval zebrafish (ZF) behavior at the F0 5 dpf were manifest throughout the life of the exposed F0, and are inherited by subsequent generations. For this study, embryos were exposed to chlorpyrifos-oxon at the environmentally relevant concentration of 0.01 µg/L and a high concentration of 50 µg/L starting at 4 hpf to 5 dpf, and then raised to F2. There was a significant decrease in distance traveled with 5 dpf F0 ZF exposed to the 50 µg/L CPO, with alterations in noncholinergic genes CFOS and LINGO, and alterations in global DNA methylation. CPO-related behavioral effects were ameliorated by day 21 through the F1 generation. This trend changed with hyperactive behavior, increase acetylcholine concentration in F2 zebrafish that were exposed to 50 µg/L CPO during the F0 development. There was also an increase in AChE activity and hypermethylation in F2 0.01 µg/L exposure larvae, indicating that even low dose exposures can have transgenerational effects. Results from this study demonstrate that early life stage exposures to CPO can lead to epigenetic changes in neurological activity, which may lead to alterations in response to CPO in future generations. ABSTRACT SUMMARY: This study identified a correlation between CPO exposure during F0 development and significant differences in F2 behavioral, AChE activity and neurotransmitter concentration.

Internet Facilitated Rape: A Multivariate Model of Offense Behavior.

Recent statistics report a significant increase in individuals reporting they have been raped by a stranger whom they have met through the Internet (Internet facilitated rape [IFR]). Previous literature has primarily focused on child victims; hence, the overriding aim of this study is to further our understanding of IFR in terms of crime scene behavior. One hundred forty-four IFR cases and two comparative samples of age-matched stranger rapists (confidence approach and surprise approach) were coded for 38 crime scene behaviors. Findings suggest that the platforms IFR offenders use to meet their victims were not suggestive of the behavior they were likely to display. In terms of specific offense behaviors, the IFR and confidence approach rapists were considerably similar and both samples were comparatively different from the surprise approach rapists. Thus, this may indicate that the method of approach used by a stranger rapist has a significant effect on the subsequent rape crime scene behavior displayed regardless of any prior contact. A smallest space analysis of the IFR sample revealed three distinct themes of behavior, criminal sophistication, interpersonal involvement, and violence with 71% of offenders displaying one dominant theme. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.

Matrix-matched standards in the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry determination of neonicotinoids in soil and sediment.

The use of matrix-matched standards with a solid-liquid extraction and salting out without the addition of further cleanup steps or costly cleanup procedures associated with the quick, easy, cheap, effective, robust, and safe (QuEChERS) method was evaluated to address variations in ionization efficiency in the LC-MS/MS determination of neonicotinoid pesticides in complex environmental samples. Limits of detection (1.4-3.4 ng/g) and limits of quantitation (4.6-11.3 ng/g) for various neonicotinoid analogs were comparable to previously reported QuEChERS extraction methods. Mean recovery of standard neonicotinoid samples spiked with 10 ng/g was found to be 78.0-100.5%, while samples spiked with 100 ng/g were found to be 55.1-99.9%. Recovery of analytes was matrix dependent; the highest recovery was from sediment (86.2-100.5%) followed by laboratory sand (70.9-81.7%) and agricultural soil (55.5-102.6%), respectively. Optimization of this methodology resulted in the reduction of procedure time and cost, and can aid in environmental monitoring efforts of common neonicotinoid pesticides in soils and sediments.

Comparative analyses of the neurobehavioral, molecular, and enzymatic effects of organophosphates on embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Organophosphates insecticides (OPs) are common surface water contaminants in both urban and agricultural landscapes. Neurobehavioral effects on larval fish are known to occur at concentrations higher than those reported in the environment. The aim of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of neurobehavioral, molecular, and biochemical responses of four OPs (diazinon, dichlorvos, malathion, methyl-parathion) via the following endpoint measurements: distance traveled, velocity, gene expression (AChE, c-Fos, LINGO-1B, GRIN-1B), enzymatic acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and carboxylesterase (CES) activity. OP exposures (5 hpf - 120 dpf) on embryo-larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) were assessed using a larval zebrafish behavior assay at concentrations: 0.01, 0.1, 10, and 100 µg/L. Individual OPs had varying degrees of neurotoxicity. Significant hypoactivity was observed in the 100 µg/L treatments for diazinon and malathion (p < 0.05) as compared to the controls. Diazinon-exposed larvae exhibited a 26% locomotor decrease, and hypoactivity was observed in malathion-exposed larvae at a reduction of 22% and 29% for distance traveled and velocity, respectively. Gene regulation and enzymatic activity changes were measured for both 0.1 and 100 µg/L exposures across OP treatments. Increased CES activity was observed for the 0.1 µg/L treatments of diazinon and methyl-parathion as well as the 100 µg/L treatment of dichlorvos; meanwhile, decreased CES activity was observed for 100 µg/L treatments of diazinon and malathion. Relative enzymatic activity of AChE was inhibited as compared to the control for the 0.1 µg/L diazinon. No other treatment group exhibited a significant effect on biochemical AChE activity; however, AChE upregulation was observed in the 0.1 µg/L exposure for diazinon, dichlorvos, and malathion. Methyl-parathion was observed to downregulate c-Fos at 0.1 µg/L exposure. Malathion upregulated LINGO-1B at 100 µg/L, a gene associated with neuronal regeneration; meanwhile, downregulation of LINGO-1B was observed for 0.1 µg/L exposure of methyl-parathion. Additional downregulation was observed for GRIN-1B in the 100 µg/L diazinon, 100 µg/L dichlorvos, and 0.1 µg/L methyl-parathion treatments. Exposure of ZF embryos to independent concentrations of 100 µg/L concentrations of diazinon and malathion resulted in hypoactivity and decreased CES activity at 5 dfp. No changes in swimming behavior were observed for either the 0.1 µg/L or 100 µg/L dichlorvos or methyl-parathion treatments. Observations from this study indicate that AChE inhibition may not be the most sensitive biomarker of OP pesticide exposure in zebrafish. Rather, the enzyme CES demonstrated higher sensitivity as a biomarker of OP toxicity.

Development of primary standards for mass spectrometry to increase accuracy in quantifying environmental contaminants.

Internal standards are essential in electrospray ionization liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (ESI-LC-MS) to correct for systematic error associated with ionization suppression and/or enhancement. A wide array of instrument setups and interfaces has created difficulty in comparing the quantitation of absolute analyte response across laboratories. This communication demonstrates the use of primary standards as operational qualification standards for LC-MS instruments and their comparison with commonly accepted internal standards. In monitoring the performance of internal standards for perfluorinated compounds, potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) presented lower inter-day variability in instrument response than a commonly accepted deuterated perfluorinated internal standard (d3-PFOS), with percent relative standard deviations less than or equal to 6%. The inter-day precision of KHP was greater than d3-PFOS over a 28-day monitoring of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), across concentrations ranging from 0 to 100µg/L. The primary standard trometamol (Trizma) performed as well as known internal standards simeton and tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP), with intra-day precision of Trizma response as low as 7% RSD on day 28. The inter-day precision of Trizma response was found to be greater than simeton and TCPP, across concentrations of neonicotinoids ranging from 1 to 100µg/L. This study explores the potential of primary standards to be incorporated into LC-MS/MS methodology to improve the quantitative accuracy in environmental contaminant analysis.

Female Sex Offenders: An Analysis of Crime Scene Behaviors.

The concept of the female sex offender (FSO) is a relatively new phenomenon within the social research literature. Studies of female rape, male rape, pedophilia, and juvenile sex offenders have suggested that different styles of offending are reflected in the different types of behaviors committed by offenders at the crime scene. These studies suggest that there are three distinct themes of behavior: Hostility, Impersonal, and Involvement. Multidimensional analysis is carried out on 35 crime scene behaviors of 73 FSOs from U.K. and U.S. law reports. The proposed framework was found to be a useful way of classifying FSOs with 84% displaying a dominant theme. These resulted in 52% classified as displaying Involvement, 17% as Control, and 15% as Hostility. Finally, the implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Male-on-male sexual assaults: an analysis of crime scene actions.

While the concept of male victimization is not a new phenomenon, the sexual assault of a male is a relatively new notion, emerging over the last 30 years in social research literature. Studies of female rape, pedophilia, and juvenile sex offenders have suggested that different styles of offending are reflected in the different types of behaviors committed by offenders at the crime scene. These studies suggest that there are three distinct themes of behavior: Control, Hostility, and Involvement. Using the crime scene actions of 305 male-on-male sexual assault from a U.K. national police database, multidimensional analysis was carried out. The proposed framework was found to be a useful way of classifying male-on-male sexual assaulters with 74% displaying a dominant theme. These resulted in 42% classified as displaying hostility, 23% as control, and 9% as involvement. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Paraphilias: definition, diagnosis and treatment.

There is a great deal of controversy concerning paraphilia, and defining what is normal versus deviant or disordered, given that this is to some degree dependent on cultural views of acceptability. In this article, we outline these issues and describe recent progress in diagnosing and treating paraphilias.

Child pornography and likelihood of contact abuse: a comparison between contact child sexual offenders and noncontact offenders.

This study examined a sample of 120 adult males convicted of offences involving indecent images of children (IIOC); 60 had a previous contact child sexual offence (dual offenders) and 60 had no evidence of an offence against a child. Analyses explored socio-demographic characteristics, previous convictions, and access to children. Of the 120 offenders, a subsample of 60 offenders (30 dual offenders and 30 non-contact) were further examined in terms of the quantity of IIOC, types of IIOC, and offending behavior. The study found the two offender groups could be discriminated by previous convictions, access to children, the number, proportion, and type of IIOC viewed. The IIOC preferences displayed within their possession differentiated dual offenders from non-contact IIOC offenders. Within group comparisons of the dual offenders differentiated sadistic rapists from sexual penetrative and sexual touching offenders. The paper suggests there may be a homology between IIOC possession, victim selection, and offending behavior. Implications for law enforcement are discussed in terms of likelihood of contact offending and assisting in investigative prioritization.

Effect of miniscrew placement torque on resistance to miniscrew movement under load.

INTRODUCTION: The primary stability of orthodontic anchorage miniscrews is believed to result from mechanical interlock, with success based upon a number of variables, including screw diameter, angle of placement, monocortical vs bicortical placement, placement through attached or unattached soft tissue, presence or absence of a pilot hole, periscrew inflammation, and maximum placement torque. The purpose of this ex-vivo study was to further explore the relationship between maximum placement torque during miniscrew placement and miniscrew resistance to movement under load. METHODS: Ninety-six titanium screws were placed into 24 hemi-maxillae and 24 hemi-mandibles from cadavers between the first and second premolars by using a digital torque screwdriver. All screws were subjected to a force parallel to the occlusal plane, pulling mesially until the miniscrews were displaced by 0.6 mm. The Spearman rank correlation test was used to evaluate whether there was an increasing or a decreasing relationship between maximum placement torque of the screws, miniscrew resistance to movement, and bone thickness. A paired-sample t test and the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank test were used to compare maximum placement torque, bone thickness, and miniscrew resistance to movement between coronally positioned and apically positioned screws in the maxilla and the mandible, and between screws placed in the maxilla vs screws placed in the mandible. Additionally, 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the post-hoc Tukey-Kramer test was used to determine whether there was a significant difference in miniscrew resistance to movement for screws placed with maximum torque of <5 Ncm, 5 to 10 Ncm, and >10 Ncm. RESULTS: The mean difference in miniscrew resistance to movement between maximum placement torque groupings, <5 Ncm, 5 to 10 Ncm, and >10 Ncm, increased throughout the deflection range of 0.0 to 0.6 mm. As deflection increased to 0.12 to 0.33 mm, the mean resistance to movement for miniscrews with maximum placement torque of 5 to 10 Ncm was statistically greater than for screws with maximum placement torque <5 Ncm (P <0.05). As deflection increased to 0.34 to 0.60 mm, the mean resistance to movement for miniscrews with maximum placement torque of 5 to 10 Ncm and >10 Ncm was significantly greater than for screws with maximum placement torque <5 Ncm (P <0.05). At no deflection was there a significant difference in resistance to movement between the 2 miniscrew groups with higher placement torque values of 5 to 10 Ncm and >10 Ncm. CONCLUSIONS: Ex vivo, the mean resistance to movement of miniscrews with higher maximum placement torque was greater than the resistance to movement of those with lower maximum placement torque.

Effect of screw diameter on orthodontic skeletal anchorage.

INTRODUCTION: Many case reports have documented the successful use of titanium miniscrews for orthodontic anchorage. However, the literature lacks a well-controlled study examining the effect of miniscrew diameter on anchorage force resistance. The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the force resistance of larger-diameter monocortical miniscrews to smaller-diameter monocortical miniscrews; and to compare the force resistance of larger-diameter monocortical miniscrews to smaller-diameter bicortical miniscrews. METHODS: Ninety-six titanium alloy screws were placed into 24 hemisected maxillary and 24 hemisected mandibular specimens between the first and second premolars. Specimens were randomly and evenly divided into 2 groups. In the first group, 24 large-diameter screws (2.5 x 17 mm) and with 24 small-diameter screws (1.5 x 15 mm) were placed monocortically. In the second group, 24 large-diameter screws (2.5 x 17 mm) were placed monocortically and 24 small-diameter screws (1.5 x 15 mm) were placed bicortically. All screws were subjected to tangential force loading perpendicular to the miniscrew with lateral displacement of 0.6 mm. Statistical analyses, including the paired-samples t test and the 2-samples t test, were used to quantify screw force-deflection characteristics. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the post-hoc Tukey studentized range test was used to determine any significant differences, and the order of those differences, in force anchorage values among the 3 screw types at maxillary and mandibular sites. RESULTS: Mean mandibular and maxillary anchorage force values of the 2.5-mm monocortical screws were significantly greater than those of the 1.5-mm monocortical screws (P <0.01). No statistically significant differences in mean mandibular anchorage force values were found between the 2.5-mm monocortical screws and the 1.5-mm bicortical screws. However, mean maxillary anchorage force values of the 1.5-mm bicortical screws were significantly greater than those of the 2.5-mm monocortical screws (P <0.01). Data analyzed with 1-way ANOVA with the post-hoc Tukey studentized range tests indicated that the mean mandibular and maxillary force values of the 2.5-mm monocortical screws and the 1.5-mm bicortical screws were significantly greater than those of the 1.5-mm monocortical screws (P <0.01). Based on the 2-samples t test, mean anchorage force values at mandibular sites were significantly greater than at maxillary sites for the 2.5-mm monocortical screws and the 1.5-mm monocortical screws. There were no statistically significant differences in mean anchorage force values between maxillary and mandibular sites for the 1.5-mm bicortical screws. CONCLUSIONS: In vitro, larger-diameter (2.5 mm) monocortical screws provide greater anchorage force resistance than do smaller-diameter (1.5 mm) monocortical screws in both the mandible and the maxilla. Smaller-diameter (1.5 mm) bicortical screws provide anchorage force resistance at least equal to larger-diameter (2.5 mm) monocortical screws. An alternative to placing a larger-diameter miniscrew for additional anchorage is a narrower bicortical screw.