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The purpose of this paper is to review and compare information obtained for four female serial murder perpetrators, exploring possible personality features that make the female serial killer unique. As this is the first project to explore the personalities of female serial murderers through data collected from the offenders themselves, it is primarily an exploratory study.

The data presented were collected as part of a larger project, which solicited participation from incarcerated, suspected serial murderers. Upon agreeing to participate, each potential participant's background was searched to ensure they met the definition of a serial murderer. The participants were sent a survey packet containing measures related to demographics, psychopathology, psychopathy, and personality features. These packets were sent to participants at their respective prisons, with a return envelope provided. Upon return, surveys were scored and analyzed to create a comprehensive profile of each offender.

The subjects of this study each presented a unique personality profile as measured by the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Invetory-III. Three of the four participants did not appear to by psychopathic, which is not surprising given the low incidence of psychopathy in women.

This study, while limited by the small sample size, provides the first data set of valid psychological measures collected through first-hand accounts with female serial murderers. Although the data presented did not display a single comprehensive profile indicative of a female serial murderer, it does provide a foundation for further research.

Fraudulently claiming symptoms of mental disorder can be very lucrative for those in society who are willing to do so. One context that lends itself well to those willing to fraudulently claim symptoms of mental disorder is the road traffic accident. Previous research has indicated that the assessment practices of those charged with investigating psychological damages in the UK are not suitable in terms of detecting malingering. The purpose of this paper is to provide a “practitioner ready review” that outlines the structured psychometric assessment tools that are recommended and validated by academic research for aiding with the detection of feigned mental disorder.

The paper takes a primarily conceptual approach utilising a narrative literature review which is aimed at the forensic practitioner who conducts assessments for psychological damages in contexts where malingering may be of concern.

The findings of the present paper will be of use not only to forensic practitioners, but also will be of interest to those who instruct assessments in similar contexts, those who conduct research within this area and those who interpret reports written by forensic practitioners such as the courts.

To the author’s knowledge the present paper is the first of its kind, which attempts to bridge the gap between academic literature and professional practice to assist forensic examiners incorporate suitable psychometric instruments within their practice. As a result, the paper makes a substantial contribution to the improvement of forensic reporting in the disciplines of psychology and psychiatry.

In this chapter we explore some of the intriguing questions raised by contaminated communities. Is there a connection between exposure to environmental hazards and psychological distress? If yes, how best can it be measured? What kinds of psychological problems are aggravated by this kind of life stress? How do we know that victims are truly experiencing increased problems such as anxiety, depression and fears about their health?

Dual Diagnosis (DD) is a double pathology afflicting drug users that involves both addiction and psychiatric diseases. This specific condition is currently attracting attention from the scientific community. There are limited data available relating to this area and even less specifically relating to problematic drug use and addiction among prisoners and the general lack of adequate treatments and therapeutic tools that are required by this population. This study is divided into four phases, and this article discusses only the preliminary data. Each prisoner in the sample with addiction problems was subjected to an initial screening, and if the slightest element of DD was highlighted, the client was assessed with specific clinical tools (MMPI‐2, SCID II) and an interview with a psychiatrist. The data collected from the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI‐2) test highlighted that the most recurrent disorder in both of the sample prisons was borderline personality disorder with the majority of the subjects presenting personality disorders in axis II of the DSM‐IV TR, using the Structured Clinical Interview Diagnosis II (SCID II). The data gathered demonstrated that two‐thirds of the prisoners with addiction in these prisons suffer from a DD, and it is therefore important to distinguish the addiction from the psychiatric diagnoses and the DD condition in order to decide the specific treatment. This research suggests that in cases of Dual Diagnosis, both clinical conditions must be addressed, or there is a risk that these prisoners will only be partially treated, and this will create further difficulties in their rehabilitation.

According to current estimates, the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) ranges from 1 in 500 children to 1 in 150 children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/CDC, 2007; Desmon, 2007). In the past such disorders usually were not identified until a child was school-aged, but these disorders are now more likely to be diagnosed in affected individuals during the preschool years (McConachie, Le Couteur, & Honey, 2005; Rutter, 2006). For example, Mandell, Novak, and Zubritsky (2005) surveyed over 900 caregivers of children with ASDs and learned that on an average, children with autistic disorder were diagnosed at 3.1 years of age. These researchers also reported that children who exhibited such characteristics as severe language impairment, toe walking, hand flapping, and sustained unusual play behaviors were diagnosed earlier than children without these features.

Law enforcement is a stressful career, especially to US-based officers. Officers are typically psychologically screened and declared fit for duty prior to completing training. Current personality research has demonstrated the potential for traits to increase or decrease due to a variety of factors, including time and stress levels. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how officers’ personality traits may differ based upon their levels of stress and lengths of service. This quantitative non-experimental research design recruited potential participants from several online-based, law enforcement officer-centric channels. Participants then completed a five-factor model (FFM) personality measure, the Law Enforcement Officer Stress Scale, and an accompanying demographic questionnaire. The participants’ FFM personality trait levels (dependent variable) were measured and compared to other participants’ trait levels based upon the independent variables of lengths of service and stress levels. The authors found the current sample had a higher mean stress level than any previously reported law enforcement officer sample. The personality trait agreeableness was significantly correlated with extraversion, and extraversion was significantly correlated with openness to new experiences. The authors found significant differences in several FFM traits for both career-related stress and length of service. The findings support previous research, contribute to the job demand-control model, and suggest the continued stress of the job may psychologically impact an officer. It is recommended law enforcement administrators be more aware of this potential and consider findings strategies to mitigate these trait differences.

This quantitative non-experimental research design recruited potential participants from several online-based, law enforcement officer-centric channels. Participants then completed a five-factor personality measure, the Law Enforcement Officer Stress Scale, and an accompanying demographic questionnaire. The participants’ FFM personality trait levels (dependent variable) were measured and compared to other participants’ trait levels based upon the independent variables of lengths of service and stress levels.

The authors found the current sample had a higher mean stress level than any previously report law enforcement officer sample. The personality trait agreeableness was significantly correlated with extraversion, r(159)=0.36, p<0.000; and, extraversion was significantly correlated with openness to new experiences, r(159)=0.28, p<0.000. The authors found significant differences in several FFM traits for both career-related stress and length of service.

These findings support previous research, contribute to the job demand-control model, and suggest the continued stress of the job may psychologically impact an officer.

It is recommended law enforcement administrators be more aware of this potential and consider findings strategies to mitigate these trait differences.

This is the first study to examine how personality may differ in law enforcement officers (LEOs) with both high stress and long careers. Logical follow-ups to this study would be longitudinal studies on LEOs.

Mental health evaluation in criminal cases is a complex and challenging task. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the value of semi‐structured interviews for diagnosis, the use of literature review to increase understanding of a case, and the importance of looking “beyond” the criminal offence itself.

The author conducted a forensic mental health assessment of a man who killed his wife and two young daughters. The case is presented in the order in which information reached the psychologist, so her clinical reasoning becomes apparent. Findings from the police file are integrated with psychological test results and a literature review on familicide and uxoricide.

The case analysis illustrates the perpetrator fits a personality profile found in empirical research on male spousal killers, who often suffer from dependent, avoidant and over‐controlled personality pathology. Four mental health experts who previously reported on this case had not agreed on a diagnosis. Using a more structured approach to assessment, the current analysis sheds new light on the relationship between mental disorder and offence.

The use of semi‐structured interviews for psychiatric diagnosis increases diagnostic reliability. Since there is so much at stake for the assessed in a criminal investigation, the importance of reliability and accuracy of diagnosis cannot be overestimated. Forensic mental health experts serve the court best by integrating findings from structured assessment instruments, file information and empirical research on comparable offender types.

This paper can be useful for teaching purposes and provides guidance to both novice and experienced forensic experts.

In several Western legislations, trans individuals must frequently undergo some form of gender identity assessment, for example, to receive legal recognition of their gender or to access therapeutic interventions. Thus, a standardised and empirically supported assessment approach becomes necessary. The purpose of this paper is to critically reflect on the current international guidelines for assessments by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, which will be compared to standards in secure forensic settings, illustrated by British prison policies.

Findings of a systematic literature review following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis standards are presented, summarising the current state of research pertaining to gender identity assessment instruments. Studies were included, when they presented empirical details pertaining to assessment approaches and passed the quality appraisal, but were excluded when they did not use a trans sample or presented clinical assessments not linked to gender identity.

A total of 21 included English articles, which mostly have been published in the USA in the past 20 years, propose ten different assessment approaches. Most of the studies support the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, the Bem Sex-Role Inventory, Body Image Scale for Transsexuals and the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults. The instruments are briefly summarised.

It becomes apparent that this field is severely understudied and that there is no consensus regarding the best assessment approach. Hence, any recommendations are only preliminary and are contextualised with further ethical considerations and suggestions for future research.

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review pertaining to the (semi-)structured assessment of gender identity.

The purpose of this paper is to critically examine the instruments used in the screening process, with particular attention given to supporting research validation. Psychological screening is a well-established process used in the selection of employees across public safety industries, particularly in police settings. Screening in and screening out are both possible, with screening out being the most commonly used method. Little attention, however, has been given to evaluating the comparative validities of the instruments used.

This review investigates literature supporting the use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), the California Personality Inventory (CPI), the Inwald Personality Inventory (IPI), the Australian Institute of Forensic Psychology's test battery (AIFP), and some other less researched tests. Research supporting the validity of each test is discussed.

It was found that no test possesses unequivocal research support, although the CPI and AIFP tests show promise. Most formal research into the validity of the instruments lacks appropriate experimental structure and is therefore less powerful as “evidence” of the utility of the instrument(s).

This research raises the notion that many current screening practices are likely to be adding minimal value to the selection process by way of using instruments that are not “cut out” for the job. This has implications for policy and practice at the recruitment stage of police employment.

This research provides a critical overview of the instruments and their validity studies rather than examining the general process of psychological screening. As such, it is useful to those working in selection who are facing the choice of psychological instrument. Possibilities for future research are presented, and development opportunities for a best practice instrument are discussed.