Limited research focuses on the rationalizations utilized by criminal offenders to reduce responsibility for their crimes. This is especially true for sex offenders, more specifically female sex offenders. The manner by which female sex offenders avert responsibility for their crimes may provide insight into their motivations, typologies, and recidivism propensity. This study qualitatively examined how female sex offenders excused or justified their sexual behaviors postconviction, focusing on account variations - a framework proposed by Scott and Lyman. We examined the population of female sex offenders who were convicted in a southern state from 1999 to 2005 (n = 55), and conducted a comparison of female solo and co-offenders' accounts. The results of this study provide a number of policy implications in regard to crime prevention, cognitive-based treatment programs, and risk assessment.

Biodynamic signature systems are a means by which a person provides a signature in electronic format that is reproduced on the screen as a representation of their manuscript signature. These systems use software to record measurements when a person uses the device to produce a digital version of their handwritten signature. The measurements recorded include dynamic time-based measurements such as duration, velocity, air strokes, and pressure as well as static form-based measurements such as slant, length, height and shape. The combined data recorded establishes a unique signature profile of the person at the time of writing. The temporal, time-based features differ significantly from the static ink traces on paper documents that forensic document examiners typically analyze. Recommended procedures in forensic analysis include the acquisition of computer files and analysis of temporal features. Due to the varying quality of the data acquired by electronic signature systems, not all systems produce reliable information to support forensic opinions. A recent legal ruling in the U.S. underscores the need for forensic document examiners to examine electronic evidence in biodynamic signature cases. Working collaboration between forensic document examiners and computer experts is recommended.

This article is written in the spirit of Richard Quinney's contributions to teaching as an exploration into the contradictions, ironies, and connections (both obvious and hidden) that allow learning to unfold and show itself to teachers and students. A critique of the conflict between developing expertise and experiencing learning is offered. The value of feelings and intuition, thinking and knowledge, and imagination and creativity are examined as a way to bring teacher and student together in the process of learning into wisdom.

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Includes bibliographical references. / This dissertation examined restorative and retributive justice systems in order to clarify and uncover the real nature of Gacaca courts which is a mixture of both with more elements of the retributive system. The dissertation also traces the origin of Gacaca courts through a historical background of Rwanda, a description of the Gacaca courts and their procedures, outlines the principles of restorative and retributive justice and compares each to Gacaca courts, in the process revealing the real nature of Gacaca.

Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

For decades, research has consistently demonstrated that minorities are overrepresented in the prison population, yet relatively little is known about whether juror perceptions about race and criminal culpability may impact this problem in the United States. Using Hill's folk theory of race and racism as the theoretical foundation, this cross sectional study examined the relationship between perceptions of the race of the defendant and the verdicts to be handed down. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 25 people who self-reported having served on a jury or were eligible for jury service within the past 5 years in a southwest Georgia community. The instrument used was original and designed to capture basic demographics of the respondents and perceptions about traits of the criminal defendants and their criminal culpability. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to examine whether participants' perceptions of race, income, and education of the defendant were statistically associated. Income and educational ranges were assigned to the defendants. Findings revealed 76% of respondents believed that baggy clothes are predictors of criminality. Furthermore, 72% of participants associated baggy pants with African Americans. It is possible that a correlation exists between associating African Americans with baggy pants and baggy clothes with criminality. Chi square results indicate that participants' beliefs of whether defendants were 'likely or extremely likely' to commit criminal offenses based on race, education level, and income of the defendants were not statistically significant. These findings may be important to court systems in terms of better understanding race relations in the United States as it relates to justice system equality.

Employer Attitudes and Beliefs About Hiring Post-Incarcerated Offenders in Mississippi by Ora Starks MS, Criminal Justice, 1999 BS, Criminal Justice,1994 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Program Criminal Justice Specialization Walden University May 2018

Prior research examining criminogenic risk and need suggests that dynamic factors (i.e., criminogenic needs) are best suited for intervention and treatment as they are changeable over time. Thus, dynamic factors can be targeted to reduce the likelihood of recidivism among youth in the juvenile justice system. The assessment of needs is critical as it allows for the prediction of future delinquency and the ability to provide appropriate services/treatment for juvenile offenders. Several studies have shown that youth present with multiple needs and that these needs differ by gender. Therefore, the current study utilized a sample of adjudicated youth under community supervision from all counties in Florida from 2007 to 2015. Latent class analysis was employed to create need profiles based on dynamic factor domains from the Community Positive Achievement Change Tool (C-PACT). The relationships between the need classes and various justice-related factors and outcomes (i.e., race/ethnicity, age, risk level and static risk factors, change in dynamic needs, and recidivism) were also assessed. Furthermore, the analyses were conducted separately for males and females to examine for possible gender differences. Findings demonstrate that there are different multiple needs that present within males and females. With a few exceptions, the latent classes do not predict recidivism. However, the gender-specific subgroups do predict change in dynamic needs. Based on the findings, theoretical and practical implications are discussed that focus on the use of risk assessment instruments and rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system. Directions for future research are also discussed.