Editorial

Pages1-2
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-12-2016-0046
Published date06 February 2017
Date06 February 2017
AuthorKatie Dhingra
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Criminal psychology,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Deviant behaviour,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice
Welcome to our first issue of 2017. This issue reflects the diverse nature of research in criminal
psychology with a series of international papers across a range of settings.
The first paper (DeLisi et al.) examines whether armed burglars represent a type of sexual
burglar, or perhaps a more severe type of offender who enters homes not merely to rape a victim,
but to perhaps murder them as well. Using data drawn from 790 offenders serving
time for violent convictions, results indicate that qualitative and quantitative distinctions can be
drawn between armed and unarmed burglars. More specifically, compared to offenders not
convicted of armed burglary, armed burglars were involved in significantly more instrumental
crimes of violence. Armed burglars were not significantly different from non-armed burglars
for charges for second-degree murder (where premeditation and instrumental intent is lacking)
and rape. The authors conclude that burglars who come armed to the crime location may
present a different motivation than the typical burglar motivated to steal property. Consequently,
armed burglary may be a marker of extreme instrumental violent offending and warrants
further study.
Using latent class analysis, Beauregard et al. explore the utility of empirically derived profiles of
offender- and victim-related sexual assault case characteristics in the preparation of the interrogation
strategies in sexual assault investigations. Participants were 624 Canadian incarcerated sex
offenders. The best fitting latent class model for both offender- and victim-related case
characteristics was a five-class solution. Further analysis indicated that specific offender-victim
profiles are related to greater likelihood of confession during the interrogation. Together, the results
suggest that the decision-making strategy of the offender to confess or not during interrogation is
influenced by factors that precede the context of the interrogation room; and that interrogation
strategies should be tailored to a specific case, or on a case-by-case basis, rather than preparing for
an interrogation that takes into account just the characteristics of the offender.
Responding to the relative paucity of literature examining the effects of maternal criminality on
childrens delinquent outcomes (property destruction and fighting), the third paper (Sobba et al.)
uses the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data set (n¼3,050) to explore this relationship.
Of the sample, 9.4 percent had destroyed or damaged propertyand 20.1 per cent had been in a
fight. Results indicated that mothers criminal behaviour affectedchildrens fighting behaviour but
not their tendencyto destroy property. The authorsconclude by highlighting the needfor research
exploring mother-child attachment and the intergenerational transmission of low self-control.
Using an experimental design (n¼142), paper four (Gordillo et al.) explores the effects of verbal
cues on the evaluation of the personality and emotionality of a man accused of murdering his
children, as well as the relationship between personality and emotionality. The results obtained
reveal that the information we have on a person involved in a criminal proceedings affects the
inferences made on their personality and emotionality, giving rise to evaluations that are
consistent with the types of cues provided. The authors conclude that impression formation
within legal proceedings may be affected by variables that are complex and difficult to control,
which might bias court decisions and compromise the objectivity required of the judiciary.
Drawing on a multi-disciplinary literature base, the final paper in this issue (Hockey) seeks to
illuminate the legal implications for suspects who are interviewed under caution for historical
allegations, when the suspects responses rely on episodic memory recall. Focussing on
historical sexual offenses, Hockey draws attention to the fact that suspects with no or low-quality
legal representation, will attempt to answer questions of a historical nature, and, in doing so, may
well unwittingly disadvantage themselves unfairly and thereby, in some cases, the interests of
factual justice. In light of such concerns, Hockey notes the need for future research to provide
more informed advice to both investigators and legal representatives of suspects.
Katie Dhingra
DOI 10.1108/JCP-12-2016-0046 VOL. 7 NO. 1 2017, pp. 1-2, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2009-3829
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JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL PSYCHOLOGY
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PAG E 1
Editorial

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