The Journal of Forensic PracticeTable of Contents for The Journal of Forensic Practice. List of articles from the current issue, including Just Accepted (EarlyCite)https://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2050-8794/vol/26/iss/1?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe Journal of Forensic PracticeEmerald Publishing LimitedThe Journal of Forensic PracticeThe Journal of Forensic Practicehttps://www.emerald.com/insight/proxy/containerImg?link=/resource/publication/journal/46887bff22e9f0a4cbf075c2cea9bc92/urn:emeraldgroup.com:asset:id:binary:jfp.cover.jpghttps://www.emerald.com/insight/publication/issn/2050-8794/vol/26/iss/1?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestGroup-based mindfulness interventions in prisons: a selective critical reviewhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-10-2022-0054/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe use of mindfulness interventions (MIs) as means to manage unwanted or undesirable affect and behaviour has increased in popularity recently. This has resulted in the trial of MIs as a means to benefit well-being within prisons, with some intention of reducing recidivism. This study aims to examine current research regarding the use of MIs within prisons. A total of 14 studies were manually selected for review inclusion according to their determined eligibility. All studies were required to have taken place in a prison and to include an explicit mindfulness intervention, including mindfulness theory and practice. Most interventions reviewed demonstrated success, particularly when tailored to the unique needs of a prison environment. Positive changes reported included improvements in participant mental health symptoms, as well as reduced stress and increased mindfulness skills. Some preliminary evidence was provided to indicate the potential longevity of some of these benefits. This review further highlighted some significant questions regarding the generalisability of the proposed suitability of MIs within prison environments including practical delivery constraints and the lack of acknowledgment of the unique challenges and circumstances faced by prisoners. The findings of this review show positive potential for the use of MIs within prison populations, where these are well-linked to mindfulness theory and to the needs of inmates. The review also suggest that MIs should be investigated thoroughly, examining potential negative implications alongside positive changes. There needs to be further review of the role of MIs within prison populations to ensure their suitability in the custodial environment. MIs are somewhat inflated in terms of predicted outcomes and sometimes applied to potentially unsuitable groups. A significant gap within the literature also persists regarding potentially negative implications associated with MIs, particularly within unique prison populations. Prison treatment programmes should be developed with careful consideration of unique prisoner needs in comparison to a general population.Group-based mindfulness interventions in prisons: a selective critical review
Madison Fern Harding-White, Dara Mojtahedi, Jerome Carson
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.1-17

The use of mindfulness interventions (MIs) as means to manage unwanted or undesirable affect and behaviour has increased in popularity recently. This has resulted in the trial of MIs as a means to benefit well-being within prisons, with some intention of reducing recidivism. This study aims to examine current research regarding the use of MIs within prisons.

A total of 14 studies were manually selected for review inclusion according to their determined eligibility. All studies were required to have taken place in a prison and to include an explicit mindfulness intervention, including mindfulness theory and practice.

Most interventions reviewed demonstrated success, particularly when tailored to the unique needs of a prison environment. Positive changes reported included improvements in participant mental health symptoms, as well as reduced stress and increased mindfulness skills. Some preliminary evidence was provided to indicate the potential longevity of some of these benefits. This review further highlighted some significant questions regarding the generalisability of the proposed suitability of MIs within prison environments including practical delivery constraints and the lack of acknowledgment of the unique challenges and circumstances faced by prisoners.

The findings of this review show positive potential for the use of MIs within prison populations, where these are well-linked to mindfulness theory and to the needs of inmates. The review also suggest that MIs should be investigated thoroughly, examining potential negative implications alongside positive changes. There needs to be further review of the role of MIs within prison populations to ensure their suitability in the custodial environment.

MIs are somewhat inflated in terms of predicted outcomes and sometimes applied to potentially unsuitable groups. A significant gap within the literature also persists regarding potentially negative implications associated with MIs, particularly within unique prison populations. Prison treatment programmes should be developed with careful consideration of unique prisoner needs in comparison to a general population.

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Group-based mindfulness interventions in prisons: a selective critical review10.1108/JFP-10-2022-0054The Journal of Forensic Practice2023-11-14© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedMadison Fern Harding-WhiteDara MojtahediJerome CarsonThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612023-11-1410.1108/JFP-10-2022-0054https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-10-2022-0054/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
Animal abuse recidivism: a narrative reviewhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0036/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this paper is to consolidate and evaluate the available research on animal abuse recidivism. A narrative review of the animal abuse literature was conducted. Articles were included if they provided data/estimates of the rates of recidivism, findings regarding the static, dynamic and/or protective factors associated with animal abuse recidivism and available risk assessment tools, specifically for use with individuals who have a history of animal abuse. The literature review highlighted high rates of reoffending amongst those who have harmed animals. Many risk and protective factors associated with animal abuse were common to the wider offending behaviour literature (e.g. antisocial attitudes, relationship issues), but more robust research is needed to highlight any distinct characteristics. Lastly, the review reports two risk assessment tools designed specifically for this offending group. Clinicians and criminal justice personnel base their sentencing, detention and treatment decisions, at least in part, on the recidivism literature. This review provides a consolidation of the evidence base as an aide memoire for practitioners. History of animal abuse is a risk factor for future animal harm specifically, and interpersonal violence more broadly. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review that presents the key research evidence on risk/protective factors and relevant risk assessment tools that can inform intervention planning to reduce risk of reoffending towards animals and humans alike when practitioners encounter clients who have a history of harming animals.Animal abuse recidivism: a narrative review
Olivia Reid, Emma Alleyne
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.18-30

The purpose of this paper is to consolidate and evaluate the available research on animal abuse recidivism.

A narrative review of the animal abuse literature was conducted. Articles were included if they provided data/estimates of the rates of recidivism, findings regarding the static, dynamic and/or protective factors associated with animal abuse recidivism and available risk assessment tools, specifically for use with individuals who have a history of animal abuse.

The literature review highlighted high rates of reoffending amongst those who have harmed animals. Many risk and protective factors associated with animal abuse were common to the wider offending behaviour literature (e.g. antisocial attitudes, relationship issues), but more robust research is needed to highlight any distinct characteristics. Lastly, the review reports two risk assessment tools designed specifically for this offending group.

Clinicians and criminal justice personnel base their sentencing, detention and treatment decisions, at least in part, on the recidivism literature. This review provides a consolidation of the evidence base as an aide memoire for practitioners.

History of animal abuse is a risk factor for future animal harm specifically, and interpersonal violence more broadly. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first literature review that presents the key research evidence on risk/protective factors and relevant risk assessment tools that can inform intervention planning to reduce risk of reoffending towards animals and humans alike when practitioners encounter clients who have a history of harming animals.

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Animal abuse recidivism: a narrative review10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0036The Journal of Forensic Practice2023-11-21© 2023 Emerald Publishing LimitedOlivia ReidEmma AlleyneThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612023-11-2110.1108/JFP-07-2023-0036https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0036/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
First insights into post-pandemic distress in a high secure hospital: correlates among staff and patientshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-08-2023-0041/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis preliminary investigation aims to examine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients and staff within a high secure service. To discern the connection between COVID-19-related distress and multiple factors, the study involved 31 patients and 34 staff who completed assessments evaluating coping strategies, resilience, emotional reactivity, ward atmosphere and work-related aspects. Results demonstrated that around a third of staff (31.2%) experienced COVID-19-related distress levels that met the clinical cut-off for possible post-traumatic stress disorder. Emotional reactivity, staff shortages, secondary traumatic stress and coping strategies were all positively correlated with COVID-19-related-distress. Resilience was negatively associated with distress, thus acting as a potential mitigating factor. In comparison, the prevalence of distress among patients was low (3.2%). The authors postulate that increased staff burdens during the pandemic may have led to long-term distress, while their efforts to maintain minimal service disruption potentially shielded patients from psychological impacts, possibly lead to staff “problem-focused coping burnout”. This highlights the need for in-depth research on the enduring impacts of pandemics, focusing on mechanisms that intensify or alleviate distress. Future studies should focus on identifying effective coping strategies for crisis situations, such as staff shortages, and strategies for post-crisis staff support. The authors postulate that the added burdens on staff during the pandemic might have contributed to their distress. Nonetheless, staff might have inadvertently safeguarded patients from the pandemic’s psychological ramifications by providing a “service of little disruption”, potentially leading to “problem-focused coping burnout”. These findings underscore the imperative for further research capturing the enduring impacts of pandemics, particularly scrutinising factors that illuminate the mechanisms through which distress is either intensified or alleviated across different groups. An avenue worth exploring is identifying effective coping styles for pandemics.First insights into post-pandemic distress in a high secure hospital: correlates among staff and patients
Yara Levtova, Irma Melunovic, Caroline Louise Mead, Jane L. Ireland
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.31-45

This preliminary investigation aims to examine the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients and staff within a high secure service.

To discern the connection between COVID-19-related distress and multiple factors, the study involved 31 patients and 34 staff who completed assessments evaluating coping strategies, resilience, emotional reactivity, ward atmosphere and work-related aspects.

Results demonstrated that around a third of staff (31.2%) experienced COVID-19-related distress levels that met the clinical cut-off for possible post-traumatic stress disorder. Emotional reactivity, staff shortages, secondary traumatic stress and coping strategies were all positively correlated with COVID-19-related-distress. Resilience was negatively associated with distress, thus acting as a potential mitigating factor. In comparison, the prevalence of distress among patients was low (3.2%).

The authors postulate that increased staff burdens during the pandemic may have led to long-term distress, while their efforts to maintain minimal service disruption potentially shielded patients from psychological impacts, possibly lead to staff “problem-focused coping burnout”. This highlights the need for in-depth research on the enduring impacts of pandemics, focusing on mechanisms that intensify or alleviate distress. Future studies should focus on identifying effective coping strategies for crisis situations, such as staff shortages, and strategies for post-crisis staff support.

The authors postulate that the added burdens on staff during the pandemic might have contributed to their distress. Nonetheless, staff might have inadvertently safeguarded patients from the pandemic’s psychological ramifications by providing a “service of little disruption”, potentially leading to “problem-focused coping burnout”. These findings underscore the imperative for further research capturing the enduring impacts of pandemics, particularly scrutinising factors that illuminate the mechanisms through which distress is either intensified or alleviated across different groups. An avenue worth exploring is identifying effective coping styles for pandemics.

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First insights into post-pandemic distress in a high secure hospital: correlates among staff and patients10.1108/JFP-08-2023-0041The Journal of Forensic Practice2024-02-08© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedYara LevtovaIrma MelunovicCaroline Louise MeadJane L. IrelandThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612024-02-0810.1108/JFP-08-2023-0041https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-08-2023-0041/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Deception detection based on the linguistic style of honest and dishonest storieshttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0035/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThis study aims to describe and analyze the differences in the linguistic styles of honest and dishonest stories. This paper uses a descriptive study with a multivariate analysis of linguistic categories according to the story. The research analyzed 37 honest stories and 15 dishonest stories produced during actual legal proceedings through software Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC). The authors find that individuals who engage in deception use a different number of words when they narrate facts. The results suggest a need for additional investigation of the linguistic style approach because of its high applicability and detection accuracy. This approach should be complemented by other types of verbal, nonverbal and psychophysiological deception detection techniques. Among the limitations, the authors consider length of the stories should be considered and scarce scientific literature in Spanish to compare with outcomes in English. This research highlights the relevance to include linguistic style in real contexts to differentiate honest and dishonest stories due to objectivity and agility to implement. Understanding deception as a social behaviour and its psychological processes associated are elements that contribute to people and justice to comprehend it. Analyzing real statements and discriminate differences in linguistic style, contribute to understand deeply this important behaviour to propose new methodologies and theories to explain it.Deception detection based on the linguistic style of honest and dishonest stories
Juan Camilo Carvajal Builes, Idaly Barreto, Carolina Gutiérrez de Piñeres
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.46-59

This study aims to describe and analyze the differences in the linguistic styles of honest and dishonest stories.

This paper uses a descriptive study with a multivariate analysis of linguistic categories according to the story. The research analyzed 37 honest stories and 15 dishonest stories produced during actual legal proceedings through software Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC).

The authors find that individuals who engage in deception use a different number of words when they narrate facts. The results suggest a need for additional investigation of the linguistic style approach because of its high applicability and detection accuracy. This approach should be complemented by other types of verbal, nonverbal and psychophysiological deception detection techniques.

Among the limitations, the authors consider length of the stories should be considered and scarce scientific literature in Spanish to compare with outcomes in English.

This research highlights the relevance to include linguistic style in real contexts to differentiate honest and dishonest stories due to objectivity and agility to implement.

Understanding deception as a social behaviour and its psychological processes associated are elements that contribute to people and justice to comprehend it.

Analyzing real statements and discriminate differences in linguistic style, contribute to understand deeply this important behaviour to propose new methodologies and theories to explain it.

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Deception detection based on the linguistic style of honest and dishonest stories10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0035The Journal of Forensic Practice2024-02-12© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedJuan Camilo Carvajal BuilesIdaly BarretoCarolina Gutiérrez de PiñeresThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612024-02-1210.1108/JFP-07-2023-0035https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-07-2023-0035/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking: an overviewhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-09-2023-0045/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestStalking is considered a public health priority with a range of adverse outcomes. This paper aims to explore existing literature on children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking, with a focus on rates of stalking and victim and perpetrator characteristics associated with stalking. A review of research where stalking was engaged in by those 18 years old and younger was conducted, where 17 manuscripts met criteria for review. This review found a prevalence of young people engaging in stalking of between 5.3% and 36%. Considerations including demographics, typologies, prior relationship characteristics, stalking and pursuit tactics, cyberstalking and a brief consideration of the impact are given. Literature considering perpetration remains thin, and future research should seek to move towards a widely acceptable definition of stalking, as well as considering effective interventions for early intervention, and to consider the role of mental health services in supporting perpetrators and victims, who may not always be mutually exclusive groups. This paper extends previous literature reviews; the authors understand this to be original work that contributes to a gap in the literature.Children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking: an overview
Ethan Barr, Andrew Newman
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.60-72

Stalking is considered a public health priority with a range of adverse outcomes. This paper aims to explore existing literature on children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking, with a focus on rates of stalking and victim and perpetrator characteristics associated with stalking.

A review of research where stalking was engaged in by those 18 years old and younger was conducted, where 17 manuscripts met criteria for review.

This review found a prevalence of young people engaging in stalking of between 5.3% and 36%. Considerations including demographics, typologies, prior relationship characteristics, stalking and pursuit tactics, cyberstalking and a brief consideration of the impact are given.

Literature considering perpetration remains thin, and future research should seek to move towards a widely acceptable definition of stalking, as well as considering effective interventions for early intervention, and to consider the role of mental health services in supporting perpetrators and victims, who may not always be mutually exclusive groups.

This paper extends previous literature reviews; the authors understand this to be original work that contributes to a gap in the literature.

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Children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking: an overview10.1108/JFP-09-2023-0045The Journal of Forensic Practice2024-02-16© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedEthan BarrAndrew NewmanThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612024-02-1610.1108/JFP-09-2023-0045https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-09-2023-0045/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
An exploration of mock juror experience during the deliberations of a defendant diagnosed with a personality disorderhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-10-2023-0046/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestThe purpose of this study is to investigate how mock jurors’ experiences of deliberations are impacted by the defendant having a personality disorder. This study used a qualitative approach to explore mock jurors’ experiences during the deliberations of a fictional defendant, Sarah Priest. Ten participants formed two mock juries, and each mock jury were given two case studies to deliberate. Case study one described Priest as having “Severe Personality Disorder, Borderline Pattern” whereas case study two described Priest as having “Complex Mental Health Problems”. There were no changes to the content of the case studies aside from the change in language used to describe the defendant. An inductive thematic analysis identified two main themes relating to juror experience: “Interaction with Other Mock Jurors” and “Language as a Barrier to a Verdict”. Participants constructed that prosocial interactions with other mock jurors in the deliberations helped them make a verdict decision, but some of these interactions led to disagreements between participants due to a wide variation of opinion. Second, the different description of the defendant in each case study were constructed to have made the deliberations and decision-making difficult, but for different reasons. In case study one, a lack of knowledge surrounding BPD was the reason for this difficulty, and in case study two, participants thought that the applicability of diminished responsibility criteria were unclear, making it hard to reach a verdict. The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences. There is a lack of studies that have investigated juror experience in the UK, and the few studies available have used a quantitative methodology. The approach taken in the current study is, therefore, unique in a UK context. The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences.An exploration of mock juror experience during the deliberations of a defendant diagnosed with a personality disorder
Sophie Wootton, Sophia Tkazky, Henriette Bergstrøm
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp.73-86

The purpose of this study is to investigate how mock jurors’ experiences of deliberations are impacted by the defendant having a personality disorder.

This study used a qualitative approach to explore mock jurors’ experiences during the deliberations of a fictional defendant, Sarah Priest. Ten participants formed two mock juries, and each mock jury were given two case studies to deliberate. Case study one described Priest as having “Severe Personality Disorder, Borderline Pattern” whereas case study two described Priest as having “Complex Mental Health Problems”. There were no changes to the content of the case studies aside from the change in language used to describe the defendant.

An inductive thematic analysis identified two main themes relating to juror experience: “Interaction with Other Mock Jurors” and “Language as a Barrier to a Verdict”. Participants constructed that prosocial interactions with other mock jurors in the deliberations helped them make a verdict decision, but some of these interactions led to disagreements between participants due to a wide variation of opinion. Second, the different description of the defendant in each case study were constructed to have made the deliberations and decision-making difficult, but for different reasons. In case study one, a lack of knowledge surrounding BPD was the reason for this difficulty, and in case study two, participants thought that the applicability of diminished responsibility criteria were unclear, making it hard to reach a verdict.

The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences.

There is a lack of studies that have investigated juror experience in the UK, and the few studies available have used a quantitative methodology. The approach taken in the current study is, therefore, unique in a UK context. The findings have key implications for the judicial system; common experiences can be identified and recorded to implement procedures to protect jurors from adverse experiences.

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An exploration of mock juror experience during the deliberations of a defendant diagnosed with a personality disorder10.1108/JFP-10-2023-0046The Journal of Forensic Practice2024-03-01© 2024 Emerald Publishing LimitedSophie WoottonSophia TkazkyHenriette BergstrømThe Journal of Forensic Practice2612024-03-0110.1108/JFP-10-2023-0046https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-10-2023-0046/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2024 Emerald Publishing Limited
Expression of concernhttps://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatestConcerns have been raised with Emerald surrounding the following article: “Outcomes of secure forensic older adult inpatients compared to younger adult inpatients”, Journal of Forensic Practice (JFP), https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035”. Emerald has removed this article pending further investigation. We apologise to the readers of JFP for any inconvenience caused.Expression of concern
The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.-
Concerns have been raised with Emerald surrounding the following article: “Outcomes of secure forensic older adult inpatients compared to younger adult inpatients”, Journal of Forensic Practice (JFP), https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035”. Emerald has removed this article pending further investigation. We apologise to the readers of JFP for any inconvenience caused.]]>
Expression of concern10.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035The Journal of Forensic Practice2018-02-16© 2018 Emerald Publishing LimitedThe Journal of Forensic Practiceahead-of-printahead-of-print2018-02-1610.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFP-09-2017-0035/full/html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss_journalLatest© 2018 Emerald Publishing Limited