News

8-10th , 11th – 13th September, 2008
Cardiff, South Wales.

"The Hare Psychopathy Checklist – Revised (PCL-R) is widely accepted as the most reliable and valid method for assessing psychopathy and is rapidly being adopted worldwide for basic and applied research, including neuroimaging, and as a key instrument in forensic psychology and psychiatry. The PCL-R and the more recent screening version, the PCL:SV, are strong predictors of recidivism, violence and the inability to respond to therapeutic intervention. Both the PCL-R and PCL:SV are routinely used to assess risk in a variety of forensic populations, to aid sentencing decisions, treatment suitability and institutional placements".

**This course is not associated with CFN Ltd.** So for further details, and booking information, please see attached files:

"Law enforcement agencies across the country have invested millions of dollars in voice stress analysis (VSA) software programs.[1] One crucial question, however, remains unanswered:

Does VSA actually work?

According to a recent study funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), two of the most popular VSA programs in use by police departments across the country are no better than flipping a coin when it comes to detecting deception regarding recent drug use. The study's findings also noted, however, that the mere presence of a VSA program during an interrogation may deter a respondent from giving a false answer.

VSA manufacturers tout the technology as a way for law enforcers to accurately, cheaply, and efficiently determine whether a person is lying by analyzing changes in their voice patterns. Indeed, according to one manufacturer, more than 1,400 law enforcement agencies in the United States use its product.[2] But few studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of VSA software in general, and until now, none of these tested VSA in the field—that is, in a real-world environment such as a jail. Therefore, to help determine whether VSA is a reliable technology, NIJ funded a field evaluation of two programs: Computer Voice Stress Analyzer® (CVSA®)[3] and Layered Voice AnalysisTM (LVA)".

by Kelly R. Damphousse, Ph.D.

Comparasions of Voice Stress with computerised polygraph measures: see attached PDF:

UNDERSTANDING AND TREATING ANIMAL ABUSE
ONLINE COURSES

In Partnership with Animals and Society Institute, the Arizona State University School of Social Work in the College of Public Programs present 3 new courses:

AAT1 Human-Other Animal Relationships (14 weeks). Fall, 2007
This course focuses on two broad areas of current significance for health and human service professionals;(1) the link between non-human animal abuse and other forms of violence such as domestic violence, child and elder abuse; and (2) the powerful potential that positive connections with other animals have for healing and promoting resiliency in human beings while at the same time benefiting other animals. This course examines issues of prevention and treatment; it considers animals across the human life span, non-human animal abuse, and healing connections within an ecological and empowerment context; and works to build sensitivity to various cultural contexts.

AAT2 Assessment and Treatment of Juvenile Animal Abuse (7 weeks). Spring, 2008
Designed for both mental health practitioners and other professionals working with children, this course presents AniCare Child, an assessment and treatment approach for children (up to age 16) who have abused animals. Building on cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and attachment theories, AniCare Child keys on empathy and self-management. Through a manual, a demonstration DVD, and clinical case materials, students are introduced to a variety of exercises and other tools, such as puppet role play and projective material.

AAT3 Assessment and Treatment of Adult Animal Abuse (7 weeks, follows AAT2). Spring, 2008
Complementing ATT2, this course provides an assessment and treatment approach for adults (age 17 and older) who abuse animals. Based on a well-established clinical theory and interventions for perpetrators of domestic violence, AniCare emphasizes the social-psychological causes of violence. The cognitive-behavioral approach provides clinical exercises with homework assignments through a manual, a demonstration DVD, and clinical case materials. Anicare keys on issues of accountability and relationship.

The courses may be taken individually for CEUs only or, in sequence, as part of the “Treating Animal Abuse Professional Development Certification Program.”

Certificate Requirements
• A minimum of a Master’s degree in a health or human service discipline.
• Completion of AAT1, AAT2 and/or AAT3.
• An Advanced Certificate requires, in addition, distance clinical supervision of three cases. Following successful completion of the course sequence, subscribers are assigned one of 15 senior counselors certified as AniCare trainers who will supervise them for three cases involving presenting problem of animal abuse.

Admission Process
The program is delivered online using the ASU University Blackboard system. To register, go to http://ssw.asu.edu/portal/academic/certificates

Tuition Costs
Each course costs $900.00, which includes registration fees, the cost of the Blackboard, and support. It does not include books, other materials, or the distance supervision.

Registration Procedures
Submit a resume and cover letter describing what courses you are interested in to Dr. Christina Risley-Curtiss, at Treatment of Animal Abuse Professional Development Program, ASU School of Social Work, 411 N. Central Ave, MC3920, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0689 or risley.curtiss@asu.edu. 602-496-0083

About the Professional Development Certification Program
The School of Social Work and Animals and Society Institute’s Treating Animal Abuse Professional Development Certification Program is a non-credit online program focused on training advanced level health and human service practitioners to treat those children and adults who have abused animals. Animal abuse is a very serious and alarming behavior. For children it is one of the early manifestations of conduct problems associated with “low empathy and callous disregard” (Dadds, Whiting & Hawes, 2006, p 141) and requires intervention (Merz-Perez & Heide, 2004). A substantial body of research also suggests that animal cruelty may be early indicator of later violence toward humans, as well as often one of a cluster of deviant behaviors in families such as domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse.

The purpose of the certification program is to enhance practitioners’ knowledge of human-animal relationships and ability to assess for, and treat animal abuse. It will provide practitioners with extensive knowledge on the assessment of human-animal relationships and treatment of animal abuse through such activities as directed readings in evidence based journal articles and books, online lectures, service learning, field observation, individual research papers, experiential projects and Q&A tests.

Twenty-eight states contain counseling provisions in their animal cruelty laws. Four of those states (California, Indiana, Iowa, and Tennessee) require counseling for all persons convicted of animal cruelty. Colorado orders counseling for a second offense and Florida for acts of intentional torture or torment. Kansas and West Virginia require an evaluation. Six other states mandate counseling for juveniles. Counseling can include the perpetrator as well as his/her immediate family. It is recommended when counseling children who have abused animals that their parents be involved. Legislators in many other areas are considering such mandates. There is an emerging need for practitioners to be trained in treating animal abuse. This is the first program that we know of to do so.

This professional development certificate is open to Masters or PhD level professionals in such disciplines as social work, psychology, nursing, counseling, psychiatry and other health and human service professionals with Masters or PhDs and will include CEUs. This is a NOT FOR credit program. A minimum of a Master’s degree is required to enter the program but professionals with a bachelor’s degree in health or human services can take any of the courses with CEUs available.

Faculty
Dr. Christina Risley-Curtiss is an associate professor of Social Work at Arizona State University, Co-Director of the Child Welfare Training Project, and an Affiliate with the ASU Women and Gender Studies Program. She has authored/co-authored many publications and presented numerous scholarly papers and workshops to various state and national groups. Her primary areas of research are in the areas of the animal-human bond and child welfare. Her course–Animal-Human Connections, won the HSUS 2004 Society and Animals New Course Award; she has a grant-funded national study of social work practitioner’s knowledge of the animal-human bond; a grant funded graduate internship program at a county animal abuse investigation unit; and she chairs The Arizona Humane LINK, a coalition of animal welfare and human service agencies in Maricopa County, AZ..

Dr. Kenneth Shapiro is founder and executive director of Animals and Society Institute, founding editor of Society and Animals: Journal of Human-Animal Studies; and cofounding coeditor of Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. Shapiro earned his BA from Harvard University and his PhD in clinical psychology from Duke University. His most recent book is Animal Models of Human Psychology: Critique of Science, Ethics and Policy. Ken and his colleagues developed the AniCare model for assessing and treating animal cruelty. He does training in this model nationally.

North East of England and London and Home Counties Branch Present a Forensic Psychology Workshop on Lie Detection

The workshop leaders are the experts in the Forensic and Neuropsychology field. Professor C.R. Mukundan Dr. Keith Ashcroft Dr. Sivarathna Vaya Topics Brain Signature Profiling, New Methods in Crime Investigation Lie Detection in the 21st Century:

Brain Signature Profiling – New Methods in Crime Investigation - Professor C R Mukundan

Dr. Mukundan would present his work in India where there has been a growing understanding for the need to develop scientific tools of interrogation of suspects and one of the emerging techniques is that of Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature (BEOS) profiling. It is being used extensively in a few forensic centers, as aid to crime investigation. The technique presents specially designed auditory probes to suspects without requiring any responding and extracts a signature from the multi-channel electrical oscillations recorded from the scalp of the suspect. It indicates the presence of "neuroexperiential" knowledge of the suspected actions, had they been committed by the subject.

About Professor Mukundan

Professor Mukundan is an ex-Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology, Head of Neuropsychology Laboratory and Clinical Unit, National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro- Sciences, Bangalore, India.

Currently Professor Mukundan is a Consultant in Cognitive Electrophysiology & Neuropsychology and Honorary Head of Research and Development team at the Axxonet Solutions India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore in India. The Axxonet Solutions in his guidance provides electrophysiological recording and computer analysis techniques for clinical applications, and Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature Profiling techniques for forensic applications. He is also a Research Consultant for TIFAC-DFS collaborative project on “Normative data for brain electrical activation profiling”, at the Directorate of Forensic Sciences, Gandhinagar, India and is an Advisor to Directorate of Forensic Sciences, MHA, New Delhi in BEOS profiling and a Consultant to the Directorate of Forensic Sciences, Mumbai, India

Lie Detection in 21st Century – Dr. Keith Ashcroft
Psychologists have generally taken the view that lie detection technologies are of interest to them but not really a priority in terms of serious research. This has led to a dearth of theoretical and applied knowledge that has been largely filled by commercial and political imperatives. In my discussion, I will outline the state of play with regard to the latest state-of-the art technologies such as: computerised polygraph, artificial intelligence based techniques, and the use of evoked potentials, Adaptive Profiling Systems and Brainwave Fingerprinting, respectively. Furthermore, I will explore the detection of deception using non-verbal deception cues; micro-expressions, eye behaviour, postural and body movements, which I consider holds the most promise for both specificity and sensitivity. Finally, specific aspects of what makes a good liar, such as self-monitoring, rehearsal, expressiveness and motivation, will elaborated in detail.

About Dr. Keith Ashcroft

Dr Ashcroft routinely provides forensic psychological reports in both civil and criminal cases and gives oral evidence in Court. He has been instructed during the past 9 years by the Crown and Appeal Courts, Sheriff Courts and the High Court of Justiciary throughout Scotland; and by the Crown Prosecution Service and criminal defence lawyers in England and Wales. His research interests include: detection of deception technologies, biological bases of criminal behaviour with an emphasis on neuropsychological markers, and the assessment of malingering in forensic contexts.

Polygraph and Brain Electrical Oscillations Signature (BEOS) As An Aid To Scientific Interrogation : Indian Scenario - Dr. S. L.Vaya

Dr. Vaya would share her experience of using polygraph as an aid to investigation for three decades, change in the Indian scenario since then and its admissibility in Indian Courts. Subsequent development of BEOS, a new emerging technique of crime investigation (BEOS) the way it evolved, monitored by ethics committee, as an aid to investigation and the views of courts regarding its admissibility. Dr.Vaya has appeared in number of courts as expert witness in polygraph as well as BEOS.
About Dr. Vaya

Dr. Vaya is a Clinical Psychologist trained at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. She has worked in several institutions (such as K. M. C. Hospital Manipal, Victoria Hospital, Bangalore Medical College Bangalore, B. M. Institute of Mental Health Ahmedabad, Gujarat and Hospital for Mental Health Ahmedabad, Gujarat) before joining the Forensic Science Laboratory, Gujarat in the year 1984. She was instrumental in starting Forensic Psychology division in Gujarat, India. Currently she is the Deputy Director at the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS), Gandhinagar. She is also an Ex-non officiating member of State Mental Health Authority, Government of Gujarat.
As a result of her work in the forensic field Dr. Vaya has appeared in number of courts as expert witness in polygraph, psychological profiling and BEOS.

Date: 3rd July 2008, BPS Office, Tabernacle Street, London

Fee £135 + vat (A discounted rate of £110 + vat will apply for Members of the BPS North East of England and London and Home Counties Branch) The workshop is for Forensic psychologists, Neuropsychologists and Professionals in the Criminal Justice System.

For further information please click on the link below:

Event query line: +44(0)1332 224502

Society & Animals Forum announce a New Video Education Programme: Beyond Violence, The Human-Animal Connection.

"In 1999, we all witnessed the most horrific case of school violence in U.S. history when Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold of Littleton, Colorado killed fourteen of their classmates and one teacher at Columbine High School. Scores more were wounded. Both young men had spoken of mutilating animals and expressed interest in occult rituals."

For more information, please click on the link:

Laurie P. Cohen writes in the Wall Street Journal: "The Polygraph Paradox. Lie detectors aren't perfect. But, convicted sex offenders concede, they may be good enough".

"Is Laurie Lying?" Views of an actual polygraph examination:

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-launch08.html?proj...

Does a controversial theory linking intelligence with suicide rates help to explain why so many scientists kill themselves?
Dr Keith Ashcroft, a forensic psychologist based in Manchester, notes that “suicide is indeed more common among the professional classes: scientists like vets and dentists have notoriously high suicide rates”.

Jailed Liverpool fan Michael Shields has passed a lie detector test taken in prison, according to his legal team.

The 21-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for the attempted murder of a barman in Bulgaria in 2005...

Forensic psychologist Dr Keith Ashcroft assessed him before he was connected to the polygraph computer.

The chances of anti-social behaviour among boys who are maltreated as they grow up may be determined by their genetic make-up, research suggests.

The killing sprees at Virginia Tech, Columbine in 1999 and other 'one-off' massacres have two inevitable outcomes.

Firstly, unimaginable heartache for the victims' families and secondly, the question - why did it happen?