Prediction of serial perpetrator residence: Part I—Induction of models utilising spatio-temporal routing functions and investigative information

This article presents a new framework for the geographic profiling problem which assesses and integrates the travel environment of road networks; beliefs and assumptions formed through the investigation process about the perpetrator; and information derived from the analysis of evidence. Each piece of information is evaluated in conjunction with functions which gather real-time travel information, including both time and distance of likely perpetrator travel, and is then used to update prior beliefs about the potential base of operation of the perpetrator. A novel approach was developed to generate geographic profiles given different amounts of information about the perpetrator: a centrographic strategy for when only the victim dump sites are known; a perpetrator trek strategy for instances where both victim encounter and dump sites are available; and a formal evidence-driven model which leverages and integrates available information and evidence relevant to the case for the development of a geographic profile. A follow-up article will evaluate these models through a comprehensive application to the Yorkshire Ripper investigation (see Part II).     

Do you see what I see? How social differences influence mindreading

Disagreeing with others about how to interpret a social interaction is a common occurrence. We often find ourselves offering divergent interpretations of others’ motives, intentions, beliefs, and emotions. Remarkably, philosophical accounts of how we understand others do not explain, or even attempt to explain such disagreements. I argue these disparities in social interpretation stem, in large part, from the effect of social categorization and our goals in social interactions, phenomena long studied by social psychologists. I argue we ought to expand our accounts of how we understand others in order to accommodate these data and explain how such profound disagreements arise amongst informed, rational, well-meaning individuals.     

Microcomputerized clinical and research laboratories in psychiatric inpatient,settings

Microcomputers have become increasingly useful in clinical settings, performing functions ranging from test administration to composition of narrative reports. They may in the near future be involved in therapeutic procedures. Clinicians and researchers have begun to wonder whether a microcomputer can take over a wide range of functions in clinical psychiatric settings, becoming a versatile and cost-effective tool. This paper describes the development of a comprehensive system for research and clinical data management on a psychiatric inpatient unit. The core of the system is an Apple II-Plus microcomputer equipped with PASCAL, standard peripherals, and an inexpensive custom interface. The system has met the current data management needs of the unit, and its expandability allows planning of assessment-and treatment-related research.