What factors influence whether homicide cases are solved? Insights from qualitative research with detectives in Great Britain and the United States. Brookman, F., Maguire, E.R., & Maguire, M. (2018)

Homicide Studies, 1 – 30

Summary:

This article explores the views of homicide detectives in Great Britain and the U.S. regarding factors that affect the chances of solving homicides.

Police response to children present at domestic violence incidents. Swerin, D.D., Bostaph, L.G., King, L.L., & Gillespie, L.K.

Child Maltreatment, 23(4), 417 – 425

Summary:

The present study identifies (1) how often children are present at DV incidents, (2) how often police officers speak directly with children who are present and what factors impact this decision, and (3) the impact of child presence on police response.

The Dark Figure of Stalking: Examining Law Enforcement Response. Brady, P.Q., & Nobles, M.R. (2017).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 32(20), 3149 – 3173.

Summary:

Although scholars consider stalking to be a significant issue, its prevalence is not echoed in official data representing stalking arrests and convictions. This study used official data to examine police response to stalking. Findings indicated that, compared with other interpersonal crimes, incidents of stalking are dramatically under recorded.

Rape Crimes: Are Victims’ Acute Psychological Distress and Perceived Social Support Associated with Police Case Decision and Victim Willingness to Participate in the Investigation? Hansen, N.B., Hansen, M., Nielsen, L.H., Bramsen, R.H., Elkit, A., & Campbell, R. (2018).

Violence Against Women, 24(6), 684 – 696.

Summary:

This study examined psychological distress and perceived social support in rape victims and their association with police case decisions and victims’ willingness to participate in the investigation. Results suggest that rape victims who disengage with the investigation may do so because of psychological distress.

IPV Screening and Referral Practices in an Outpatient Care Setting. Clark, Renner, & Logeais. (2017).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1 – 12.

Summary:

Health care providers who screen for IPV and counsel patients can reduce victimization and positively impact women’s health, yet few routinely screen patients. This study describes barriers to screening and outlines the actual views of patients.

Evaluation of a Victim-Centered, Trauma-Informed Victim Notification Protocol for Untested Sexual Assault Kits. Campbell, R., Shaw, J., & Fehler-Cabral, G. (2018).

Violence Against Women, 24(4), 379 – 400.

Summary:

Hundreds of thousands of sexual assault kits have not been submitted by the police for forensic testing which raises issues regarding how victims ought to be notified about what happened to their kits. This study evaluated a victim notification protocol that was implemented in one city.

The Association between Serious Mental Illness and Violence: Some Common Assumptions and Misconceptions. Ahonen, L., Loeber, R., & Brent, D.A. (2017).

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse , 1 – 13.

Summary:

This study addresses the extent to which serious mental health problems are associated with violence and especially gun-related violence, and misconceptions that people often hold.

A 10-Year Study of the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence Primary Aggressor Laws on Single and Dual Arrest. Hirschel, McCormack, & Buzawa. (2017).

Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 1 – 35.

Summary:

After mandatory arrest policies were enacted, arrest rates in IPV cases increased, but this has not been universally viewed as beneficial because it has included an increase in dual arrest, and in the arrest of women/victims.