Digital Commons Network^™

A Descriptive Case Study On How Suburban Texas Police Department Drone Use Conforms To Public Opinion, Terrill Brett Spell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the use of drones by suburban police departments in Texas, and its central research question asked how that drone use aligns with what prior research found the public supports. The research design used a holistic multiple-case approach that involved interviewing police officers who use drones as part of their law enforcement responsibilities. Relevant theoretical frameworks were social contract theory, Packer’s theory on law enforcement, and evidence-based policing theory. Data collection involved semistructured interviews of 13 officers representing the same number of Texas suburban police departments. The data collected and analyzed …

Digital Identity Management As A Critical Criminal Justice And Homeland Security Legal Issue: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Reasonable Person Factors Involved In Court Decisions, William H. Nicholson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive qualitative applied study is to define and explain through analysis the reasonable person standard as it relates to prosecution and sentencing computer crime cases involving digital identities while addressing the problem of digital anonymity. This has been done by analyzing computer crime cases with the advent of current and planned technologies, and surveying potential jurors to understand the current state of knowledge of digital attribution. This descriptive qualitative research method analyzed the problem through the use of criminological theories of control and social learning theory to better understand the reasonable person standard in computer crime …

A Phenomenological Study Understanding Religious And Spiritual Coping In African American Female Veterans Who Experienced Combat-Related Trauma, Dawn Raini Long

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American females are drawn to pursue a military career for many reasons, including upholding a family tradition, securing funding for education, or simply due to the stability it offered in a challenging economic climate. This study depicted narratives of battlefield-induced psychological stress arising from the convergence of military culture intersectionality, posttraumatic stress, and the transition to civilian life. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the religious or spiritual coping of African American female veterans who experienced combat-related trauma in the military. The participants were interviewed at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) and Veterans Bridge Home. …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Training, Perceptions, And Experiences Of College Campus Police Who Encounter Persons With Mental Illness, Kirk B. Wolfe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of campus police officers as they interact with persons with mental illness (PMI). This purpose was achieved through research which was conducted on two college campuses with personnel from their police departments. The research yielded evidence that supported whether the campus police officers perceive they are either prepared or unprepared to effectively deal with the PMI situations. The Norm-Centered Stigma Theory as designed by Worthen (2020) was used to understand how the officer’s training may have shaped the lens through which they view persons with mental illness. …

Keep The Family Close: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study On Family Support And Successful Re-Entry, Kerry Lynn Shipman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand successful reintegration with positive family support for formerly incarcerated African American men in a major metropolitan city in North Carolina. Individuals released from prison face challenges that result in the likelihood of recidivism. Previous studies regarding these individuals have focused on the requirements for their successful re-entry into society, including financial stability, housing, employment, and family support; however, there is a need to understand what forms of support are needed from families. The theory guiding the current study is the social support theory, as it explains that support from communities, …

The Christian Impact On Addiction Recovery In The Revive And Restore Recovery Ministry In Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Donald Albert Walczak

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The problem at Revive and Restore Recovery Ministry is that participants fail to grasp the importance of a biblically based approach to addiction recovery. The purpose of this action research project is to develop a written plan that implements an effective Christian-based approach to addiction recovery. The field of addiction recovery provides a multi-faceted approach to accomplish healing for individuals seeking wholeness and healing. The primary goal of this study is to develop a viable Christian recovery model. The implementation of this model will be detailed in the research. Research methods include the gathering of basic data points through the …

Online Child Sexual Grooming: Understanding The Origins And Problems Within The Criminal Justice System, Tara Kristich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Grooming children for sexual abuse is complex and challenging to understand because it is constantly evolving due to technology. Prior to the eruption of social media and internet platforms, predators typically had to be in a position to gain access to children or be close to a family with children to sexually groom, abuse, and exploit children. Technology has enabled predators to have instant access to children through chat applications and various internet platforms globally. This qualitative study explored the current platforms that impact child sexual victimization, the impact on victims' mental health, and the laws pertaining to online child …

The M State Advantage: Engaging Community College Students And Alumni To Cultivate A Culture Of Giving, Shannon M. Britten

Strategic Communication Master of Arts Thesis Projects

This project examines M State Foundation and Alumni’s efforts to increase donations from the alumni of Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State). The donations provide scholarships, emergency grants, food pantry supplies, and academic program support. The Foundation has consistently fallen short of fundraising goals, but with over 19,000 alumni, an opportunity exists to rebuild engagement after years of disconnection due to name changes and mergers. This project leverages research and analysis to develop strategic, data-driven solutions to increase donations by appealing to current students and alumni. A review of institutional effectiveness data, operational metrics, and industry reports provided …

Towards Sustainable Community-Designed Ai Systems In The Public Sector, Victoria Chui, Kelly Mcconvey, Erina Seh-Young Moon, Maya Ghai, Shion Guha

Health Services and Informatics Research

Advancements in data-driven modeling and artificial intelligence applications in public sector settings can lead to increased ten sions between stakeholder needs and tangible model capabilities from developers. Engaging multiple stakeholder groups in model development through the gleaning of sociotechnical, theoretical in sights using qualitative methods can contribute to more impactful, beneficial model solutions. Qualitative methods can complement quantitative model development, emphasizing stakeholder priori ties, informing model design choices, and promoting sustainable connections and model longevity. We are excited to discuss human centered qualitative methods, sustainable modeling practices, and community engagement in this workshop, engaging with scholars on system-level modeling strategies.

Mother And Baby Homes Commission Of Investigation Report: Alternative Executive Summary, Maebh Harding, Mairead Enright, Aoife O'Donoghue, Aoife Price, Cliona De Bhailís, Maria Ní Fhlatharta, Sahar Ahmed, Aisling Mcmahon, Aoife Daly, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Deirdre Macgowan, Fergus Ryan, Fiona Donson, Helen Kehoe, James Gallen, Kieran Walsh, Louise Kennefick, Lydia Bracken, Lynsey Black, Michelle Farrell, Phil Mullen, Samantha Morgan-Williams, Vicky Conway, Eilionoir Flynn, Shane Darcy

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

This document builds on the methodology developed by feminist judgments projects to rewrite the Executive Summary to the Final Report of Ireland’s Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, published in January 2021. The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation was established in February 2015 to investigate experiences in certain of Ireland’s residential institutions for single mothers and their young children between 1922 and 1998. In our rewritten Executive summary, twenty-five academics examined the evidence in the Commission’s original report, and offered a feminist, human rights-based analysis of the evidence presented there. Our document was first published open access …

Sentencing Vulnerability: Conceptualizing The Incorporation Of Personal Characteristics And Experiences At Sentencing, Adelina Iftene

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

Social inequalities that lead to criminal conduct are often not considered in sentencing; individuals subject to structural inequities receive the same formal sentence as those convicted of like crimes irrespective of the latter’s social advantage. Individual characteristics may also affect how a sentence will be experienced by an individual. While Characteristics and Experience-Sensitive Sentencing (CESS) already exists in various forms and to various degrees in sentencing theory and praxis, a more cohesive, comprehensive, and principled CESS remains wanting. Building on existing approaches, this article locates CESS as a necessary response to equality-based concerns arising from current mainstream sentencing practice. Thus, …

Studying Religious Symbols And Bias In Court Proceedings, Nicholas A.R. Fraser, Colton Fehr

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

MOCK JURY STUDIES INVESTIGATING the impact of religious symbols on jurors have produced conflicting findings, raising questions about how religious bias should be studied in judicial settings. Our study adds to the literature in three ways. First, we develop a clear theoretical framework which identifies dispositional and situational triggers allowing researchers to more precisely define and measure religiously motivated bias. Second, we show that mock jury experiments with video-based treatments simulating audio-visual cues are more likely to produce reliable findings relative to text-based studies. Third, we present the first empirical evidence of how mock jurors react to courtroom oaths. Our …

Does Lady Justice Need A Sword? Indictment: The Criminal Justice System On Trial By Benjamin Perrin, Noel Semple

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

LADY JUSTICE CAN OFTEN BE FOUND, in statue form, in or near courthouses. This symbol of the Western justice system is blindfolded to show neutrality. She carries a scale to weigh facts and arguments fairly. Sometimes, she also holds an olive leaf to symbolize mercy and healing. A sword is the other accessory that Lady Justice invariably carries. The sword is a ubiquitous part of this symbol because most people believe that justice in general, and criminal justice in particular, necessarily involves inflicting pain upon wrongdoers.

Black Men And Health Literacy: Strategies For Improvement In A Digital Age Through The Adaptation Of A Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, Evelina Weidman Sterling, Laura Stevens, Vanessa Robinson-Dooley, Tyler Collette

Faculty Articles

Health literacy is a critical determinant of health outcomes, yet it is often overlooked, particularly among marginalized groups. This paper explores the significance of health literacy, with a particular focus on low-income African American and Black (AA/B) men, a population that faces unique challenges due to intersecting factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and educational disparities. We examine how these factors contribute to health literacy gaps, highlighting adverse effects on health outcomes for AA/B men compared to the general population. Additionally, we stress the growing importance of digital literacy in an increasingly technology-driven world. Not actively addressing digital health …

Front Matter

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

Volume 61, Number 3

Trusted Professional Multi-Agency Transitions For Young People Facing Multiple Disadvantage – Learning From Co-Production By A Third Sector Partner In The Plymouth Alliance, Uk, Gemma Doyle, Sean Mitchell, Sue Hawley, Katy Krysiak, Felix Gradinger

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction: This case study provides practice-based reflections on challenges and potential solutions for young people with multiple disadvantages across housing, substance misuse, mental health, criminal justice, and domestic abuse systems, informed by 4 local principles: trauma informed, learning based, an alliance commissioning ethos, and workforce development.Description: To improve the current experiences of 17–25-year-olds in service transition iterative insights drew from networking staff across sectors, clinical audit and following live cases, and appreciative enquiries with young people. This was conducted by a practitioner researcher in a local Young Person’s charity and was supported by peer researchers with lived experience and embedded …

Community And School Programs, Policies And Environments Related To Child Dietary Intake:The Healthy Communities Study, Gail Woodward-Lopez, Alexander C. Mclain, Edward A. Frongillo Jr., Natalie Colabianchi, Vicki Collie-Akers, Lorrene D. Ritchie

Faculty Publications

Background

To reverse the epidemic of unhealthy eating and related chronic disease in the United States, intervening early in life is essential.

Objective

Identify features of community- and school-based programmes, policies and environments related to child intake of fruits and vegetables (FV) and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB).

Methods

Dietary intake of children 4–15 years old (n = 5138) from elementary and middle schools in 130 US communities was collected by survey (of parent and/or child) in 2013–2015. Features of community programs and policies (CPPs) and school environments were collected by staff surveys, direct observation, key informant interviews, and/or document review. …

Digital Evidence As A Means Of Proof In Criminal Proceedings In The Uae, Dr.Khaled Ramadan Soltan

Faculty Peer-Reviewed Papers | بحوث هيئة التدريس المحكمة

This paper addresses key issues related to the admissibility of digital evidence—a pivotal concern in modern legal proceedings. The use of such evidence is fraught with challenges, particularly due to the rapid technological changes and heightened concerns surrounding electronic data privacy. In the criminal justice system, these challenges can impact the admissibility of evidence, its presentation in trial, and the charging and resolution of cases.

This study examines the difficulties of admitting digital proof before the UAE judiciary. Considering the trend towards the digital world as an alternative to the tangible world, interest is increasing in the extent of the …

Usa V. Lynell Guyton

2025 Decisions

USDC for the Western District of Pennsylvania

State-Level Immigrant Policies And Diabetes Prevalence In Latino And Asian American Groups: A Weighted Multilevel Analysis, Md Towfiqul Alam, Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Erica Payton, Elizabeth Vásquez, Sandra Echeverria

Faculty Scholarship

Introduction: Growing literature has shown that immigrant-related policies influence population health by limiting or enhancing immigrants’ rights. However, less is known about the role of state-level immigrant policies shaping chronic health conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2DM). This cross-sectional study examined the association between state-level immigrant policies (both criminalising and inclusive) and prevalence of T2DM among individuals of Latin American and Asian American origin.

Method: We included adults aged 18+years sampled in the 2014–2018 behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) (n=201 824), a survey design that allows the calculation of state-level estimates. Using existing policy measures, states …

The Physical Characteristics Linked To The Perception Of Criminality Of Female Offenders, Jennifer Anne Chapman

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Gender disparities can be seen throughout the criminal justice system, where females are seen as weak and incapable of causing harm. This quantitative study sought to add to the existing research regarding physical characteristics linked to criminality. The labeling theory explains how physical characteristics labeled as deviant can alter a person’s perception when deciding whether an individual is violent. The research questions explored the physical characteristics linked to the perception of violent female offenders as well as the relationship between the gender of the participant and their ability to successfully identify a violent female offender. A mixture of statistical designs …

Reviews: Journal Of A Voyage: Federico Craveri And The Gulf Of California In 1856 (Craveri, F.; T. Bowen [Ed.], B. D'Arpa And B. Cavatorta [Translators]); How To Be An Antiracist (Kendi, I.X.); The Skin We're In: A Year Of Black Resistance And Power (Cole, D.); Hawai'i'S White Tern: Manu-O-Ku, An Urban Seabird (Scott, S.), Daniel W. Anderson, Rachel T. Buxton, David Ainley, Louise Blight, Jenna Cragg, Benjamin Saenz, Lindsay Young

Marine Ornithology

No abstract provided.

Can Commentary Command Courtroom Clout?: The Court’S Deference To Commentary To The United States Sentencing Guidelines In A Post-Kisor World, Gabriella A. Leccese

Louisiana Law Review

No abstract provided.

Machine Learning Crime Prediction Models And The Gap Between Research And Implementation: A Systematic Review, Ricardo Huamantingo, Miguel Cano-Lengua, Ciro Rodriguez

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

A crime is an illegal or violent act committed by one individual against another. The increasing crime rate has become a major concern as it negatively affects people's quality of life and generates significant social and economic costs. This study aims to identify the most widely used machine learning (ML) models for crime prediction, determine evaluation metrics for assessing model performance, and analyze key data characteristics to enhance real-world implementation. The study follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology. A search string was formulated using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcomes (PICO) framework and applied …

Correctional Psychology And Training Implications: A Mixed Analysis Of Trainee Knowledge And Application Of Ethical Dilemmas In Corrections, And A Closer Look At The Experience Of Support From Generalist Training, Alyssa A. Hoyt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Correctional psychology, a subfield of psychology, has long been comprised of its own distinct purpose, focus, and competencies. Yet correctional psychology remains unrecognized today as a formal American Psychology Association (APA) specialization. Unlike forensic psychology, without an APA specialization, and subsequent structured training standards, scholars have argued that correctional mental health professionals may be ill-prepared to navigate unique ethical dilemmas inherent to the correctional environment. The present mixed analysis study aimed to contribute to this discussion by assessing psychology trainees’ ability to respond to hypothetical ethical dilemmas in a manner consistent with correctional environments, and whether prior correctional experience/ exposure …

A Chat Room In A City Of Missouri's Public Safety Answering Point, Rochele Wynee' Young

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite new and emerging communications technologies to improve access to 911 emergency services for people with speech, hearing, and cognitive disabilities, there continue to be access barriers for those who may require silent communications due to the nature of the emergency. Chat rooms in 911 communications present a promising solution to this challenge. However, the current literature has inadequately examined the use of chat rooms in 911 communications, mainly due to the nascent nature of this technology. This study aimed to fill that gap by providing valuable insights to enhance access to 911 emergency services for individuals who may require …

Use Of Podcasts As Emerging Technology In Occupational Therapy Education, Abbigail Kubiak, Karen Jacobs, Varsha S. Kulkarni, Maruška Vizek

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

Podcasts are an emerging modality with a developing evidence base to reinforce their use in educational settings; in particular, to support knowledge retention and introduce topics. This research demonstrates the potential of podcasting in an educational context. Podcasts were used to educate occupational therapy (OT) students about emerging and innovative OT career opportunities. A series of 13 standardized 20- to 30-min podcasts featuring occupational therapists in emerging and innovative practice areas (E/IPA) globally were developed. In each podcast, the occupational therapist described implicit and explicit aspects of their career experiences. The podcasts were piloted in an entry-level OT doctoral course …

Exploring Due Process Rights And Litigation Strategies For Homeless Youth Under Federal Law, John A. Salois, Liz Harding Chao

Maine Law Review

Over fifty years after the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, this Article explores the due process rights youth have in shelter and other transitional housing covered under the Act. Further, this Article explores whether youth have a property interest under the Act’s recent reauthorization under the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act of 2008. This Article also discusses the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act and the due process rights youth have in shelter and other housing options covered under the HEARTH Act’s extensive funding of homeless programs. Additionally, this Article explores litigation strategies that youth and advocates …

Pay-To-Play: Maine’S Unconstitutional Requirement For Indigent Defendants To Pay To Appeal Eviction Judgments, Shianne Bowlin, Fred Kerrigan, Alice Neal

Maine Law Review

Maine’s eviction appeal process imposes financial barriers that effectively condition appellate review on a tenant’s ability to pay. Under Maine law, tenants must pay rent or arrears—often in dispute—before filing an appeal. This “pay-to-play” requirement disproportionately harms low-income tenants, particularly those receiving public assistance, and violates constitutional due process and equal protection guarantees. Despite federal and state precedent rejecting financial barriers to appeals, Maine’s eviction appeal system continues to restrict access to justice for indigent tenants. This Article examines the legal and constitutional implications of these requirements, comparing Maine’s approach to eviction appeals with those of other states. It explores …

Evicted From The Outside, Colleen Cosgriff

Maine Law Review

In recent years, Maine has seen an increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness who are living outdoors. People living in these circumstances often shelter together in groups of tents or other temporary structures commonly referred to as “encampments.”As municipalities across Maine struggled with how best to respond to the increase in encampments across the state, the United States Supreme Court decided City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, a case originating in Grants Pass, Oregon. Grants Pass wanted to issue civil and criminal fines to people for sleeping outdoors, even when no alternative shelter was available. The city ultimately …