The Csi Effect: Media Influence On Juror Perceptions Of Forensic Evidence,
2025
Claremont Colleges
The Csi Effect: Media Influence On Juror Perceptions Of Forensic Evidence, Toni Besselaar
Scripps Senior Theses
Can the media you consume shape your expectations in the courtroom? This thesis explores how legal media consumption influences jurors' perceptions of forensic evidence, focusing on blood spatter analysis and its potential impact on verdicts. Drawing on the CSI Effect, the proposed study will examine whether fictional crime dramas and true crime documentaries differ in their effects on jurors’ expectations and skepticism about forensic evidence. Approximately 150 jury-eligible participants will be recruited for an experimental study exploring the effects of media exposure and prior legal media consumption. Participants will view a legal scenario involving inconclusive blood spatter evidence after exposure …
The Impact Of Victim Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) On Legal Decision-Making In A Rape Trial,
2025
University of Kentucky
The Impact Of Victim Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) On Legal Decision-Making In A Rape Trial, Mary M. Levi
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
Prior psychology and law research has investigated juror perceptions of victims and defendants with mental health issues. However, one factor that has yet to be fully examined empirically is how the presentation of a victim who developed a mental health disorder, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), following a rape impacts legal decision-making. Understanding this impact is crucial considering over 36 million individuals in the United States report being a victim of rape in their lifetime, many of which report developing psychological disorders following the crime. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate how presenting mock jurors with victim testimony …
Breaking A Criminal Mind: Leveraging Habit Breaking/Building For Crime Reduction,
2025
The University of Akron
Breaking A Criminal Mind: Leveraging Habit Breaking/Building For Crime Reduction, Dru Gerace
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Criminal behavior is often shaped by a complex interaction between psychological processes, habitual actions, and neurobiological mechanisms. This research explores how habitual decision-making and reinforcement patterns contribute to criminal tendencies, integrating insights from neuroscience and psychology. The study examines how early-life experiences, cognitive biases, and environmental factors shape habitual behaviors that may predispose individuals to criminal activity. It also discusses the role of executive functioning, impulse control, and neuroplasticity in breaking maladaptive patterns. By analyzing contemporary theories of habit formation and their neurological underpinnings, this paper offers a multidimensional perspective on the development of criminal behavior. Furthermore, implications for rehabilitation …
Aviation Guilt: The Role Of Human Factors In Airline Incidents,
2025
The University of Akron
Aviation Guilt: The Role Of Human Factors In Airline Incidents, Alexander Silva
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
Human factors play a central role in aviation safety, influencing entire processes in an aviation environment. This paper reviews human factors in aviation as a whole to create a picture of what causes many aviation accidents. Models such as the SHEL model, Swiss Cheese Model, and Wickens MRT will be introduced to illuminate both the ways in which a flight deck should operate and why certain decisions are made in critical situations. Some of the deadliest aviation accidents have resulted from human error, such as the Tenerife airport disaster and AF447. These disasters were seminal in the development and execution …
Studying Repeat Victimization: A Consideration Of Measurement Issues,
2025
University of South Carolina
Studying Repeat Victimization: A Consideration Of Measurement Issues, Christi Metcalfe, Robert Brame, Tara E. Martin, Angela R. Gover
Faculty Publications
Decades of research have recognized the phenomenon of repeat victimization and its policy relevance. Although there are continuing efforts to explain the theoretical underpinnings of repeat victimization, there are still measurement-related issues that limit our understanding of the topic and ability to inform interventions, including varying operational definitions, data constraints, and sampling and nonsampling error. In this article, we review theoretical advances in the literature over the past decade, propose operationalizations that can foster greater consistency across studies, comprehensively assess the data constraints around commonly used public data sources to study repeat victimization, and empirically demonstrate how one of these …
Internal Or External: An Exploration Of The United States Police Chief Hiring Process,
2025
The University of Akron
Internal Or External: An Exploration Of The United States Police Chief Hiring Process, Kayleigh Walker
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
This paper explores the hiring processes of police chiefs across the United States, focusing on internal versus external hiring practices. The goal of this research was to identify common trends, legislative barriers, and the impact of leadership on the hiring process through historical context, legal analysis, and case studies. The findings suggest that internal hires dominate chief appointments, though external hires are often sought during crises. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and highlights the need to more fully understand this phenomenon. Understanding the processes and limitations surrounding the appointment of new leadership is critical to reform and …
Analyzing Car Theft Trends In Central Texas: A Comparative Study Of Waco, College Station, And Killeen,
2025
The University of Akron
Analyzing Car Theft Trends In Central Texas: A Comparative Study Of Waco, College Station, And Killeen, Daniel Njogu
Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects
This study examines motor vehicle theft (MVT) trends from 2019 to 2023 in three Central Texas cities—Waco, College Station, and Killeen—using temporal analysis, geospatial hotspot mapping, and make/model data. In Killeen, thefts generally rose over the period, with notable peaks in October and on Mondays. College Station saw an overall decline in thefts but experienced a seasonal spike each March, and Waco’s thefts increased until around 2021 before beginning to fall. Local festivals—such as the Spirit of Texas in College Station and the Heart O’ Texas Fair in Waco—appear to coincide with these seasonal upticks. Hyundais and Kias were most …
Examining Disparities In Pre-Conviction Detention: A Race And Gender Analysis Of Criminal Charging And Detention Practices In Ramsey Countyention Practices In Ramsey County,
2025
Hamline University
Examining Disparities In Pre-Conviction Detention: A Race And Gender Analysis Of Criminal Charging And Detention Practices In Ramsey Countyention Practices In Ramsey County, Gabriel P. Exman
School of Business Student Theses and Dissertations
Race and gender disparities in the U.S. criminal justice system are well documented, primarily in sources of national post-conviction data. However, localized and pre-conviction studies remain limited. This study examined race and gender disparities in pre-conviction detention outcomes and charge severity in Ramsey County, Minnesota, between 2017 and 2019. Using a descriptive, exploratory quantitative design and a retrospective single-cohort analysis, the researcher analyzed trends in arrests, charge severity, and pre-conviction incarceration duration across race and gender groups. Findings indicate disparities in both charge rates and pre-conviction detention durations, with Black men and Native American women experiencing longer periods of incarceration. …
Advancing Forensic Firearm Analysis: Quantitative Measurement Of Pellet Patterns Using Open Source Software,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Advancing Forensic Firearm Analysis: Quantitative Measurement Of Pellet Patterns Using Open Source Software, Inez Staples
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Shotgun pellet pattern analysis plays a critical role in forensic firearm investigations, particularly for estimating muzzle-to-target distances. However, conventional methods based on pattern diameter become unreliable when only partial patterns are recovered, as is often the case in forensic scenarios involving soft tissue or incomplete impact surfaces. This study aimed to validate ImageJ, an open-source image analysis software, as a standardized, accurate, and reproducible tool for measuring pellet-to-pellet distances in partial shotgun patterns. The methodology included calibration of ImageJ using a perforated poly board, comparison of manual versus digital measurements on 17 pre-made pellet patterns, and development of a calibration …
Biodistribution And Method Validation Of Xylazine In A Mouse Model Using Liquid-Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Biodistribution And Method Validation Of Xylazine In A Mouse Model Using Liquid-Chromatography-Quadrupole-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry, Julia E. Perschbacher
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Xylazine is a nonopioid veterinary sedative and an α2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It emerged in the opioid epidemic as an adulterant of illicit fentanyl. As xylazine becomes more involved in fatal overdoses, it is relevant to elucidate its biodistribution post-exposure due to its exacerbation of adverse events, namely respiratory depression, as xylazine’s contributions to existing adverse effects of synthetic opioids is understudied. A bioanalytical method to quantify xylazine and select metabolites in tissue using LC-QToF was validated and applied to a preclinical mouse model in order to characterize xylazine’s biodistribution in whole blood and six tissues at a dose known …
Impact Of Substrates And Deposition Time On Bacteria Associated With Saliva Samples And Its Implication On A Bacterial Signature-Based Body Fluid Identification Method,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Impact Of Substrates And Deposition Time On Bacteria Associated With Saliva Samples And Its Implication On A Bacterial Signature-Based Body Fluid Identification Method, Olisdey Galano Cruz
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Traditional serological methods for body fluid detection are limited by poor specificity and sensitivity, lacking confirmatory capability and thereby increasing the risk of false positives that may compromise the integrity of forensic investigations. While molecular methods such as mRNA, miRNA, and DNA methylation offer improved specificity, they are often hindered by marker instability and operational complexity in routine forensic workflows. Bacterial signature profiling has emerged as a promising alternative, offering enhanced stability, abundance, and compatibility with existing DNA workflows. However, its forensic implementation requires further validation. This study evaluated the effects of substrate type and storage time on the salivary …
Qualitative Method Validation Of Acid/Neutral Drugs Carisoprodol, Meprobamate, And Naproxen Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Qualitative Method Validation Of Acid/Neutral Drugs Carisoprodol, Meprobamate, And Naproxen Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Kate O. Martin
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Meprobamate, carisoprodol, and naproxen are acidic/neutral drugs widely prescribed for muscle relaxation and inflammatory conditions, with frequent detection in forensic toxicology casework due to extensive clinical use. A method to qualitatively evaluate these compounds was developed to unify acid/neutral drug screening. This study incorporated blank blood, antemortem blood, postmortem blood, urine, and liver homogenate as representative biological matrices. Method validation was conducted in accordance with ANSI/ASB Standard 036 for Forensic Toxicology, encompassing key parameters including limit of detection (LOD), endogenous interferences, potential interferences, carryover, processed sample stability, and ionization suppression/enhancement. The validation was performed using the internal standards carisoprodol-D7, meprobamate-D7, …
Novel Time-Since-Deposition Signatures For Canine Blood; Implications For Animal Cruelty Investigations,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Novel Time-Since-Deposition Signatures For Canine Blood; Implications For Animal Cruelty Investigations, Alysia M. Townsley
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states and is often tied to other organized crime activities including gambling, narcotics, and weapons trafficking. Because of the clandestine nature of dogfighting crimes, it may be necessary to determine the age of blood samples from suspected events, not just the source. In this study, flow cytometry was used to identify cellular autofluorescence signatures for estimating TSD (time-since-deposition) in canine blood deposits up to 6 months old. To accomplish this, blood was taken from canines of various chronological ages and breeds, then deposited to create TSD samples ranging between 1 day and 180 …
Development Of Novel Signatures For Determination Of Cell Types In Blood And Saliva Mixtures,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Development Of Novel Signatures For Determination Of Cell Types In Blood And Saliva Mixtures, Caitlin Lydon
Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects
Determination of tissue source and the time at which a biological material is transferred from its source to another surface, known as the time-since-deposition (TSD), would assist forensic analysts by providing crucial context for DNA profiles generated from biological evidence. Many methods for cell identification have been explored using biomolecule markers such as mRNA, miRNA, and differential DNA methylation. Forensic laboratories have also developed methods for TSD estimation that focus on degradation of biomolecules. Biomolecules such as mRNA or miRNA degrade at different rates due to some being more stable than others. The ratio of stable degrading biomolecules, therefore, can …
A Call To Action For Transport Justice: Exploring Transportation Disadvantages Faced By Justice-Impacted Individuals Reintegrating Into Rural Communities,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
A Call To Action For Transport Justice: Exploring Transportation Disadvantages Faced By Justice-Impacted Individuals Reintegrating Into Rural Communities, Tarnika Edmunds
Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects
This study explores the intersection of rural reentry and transportation planning, emphasizing the importance of Transport Justice in overcoming barriers faced by transit-dependent populations, particularly formerly incarcerated individuals. While urban transportation planning is widely discussed, this research highlights the overlooked challenges that rural environments pose for individuals reentering society. Through a multi-method approach that involved document analysis, participant observations, and informal discussions, this study uncovers a range of themes related to accessibility, reliability, vulnerability, and the quality of commuting experiences. The findings underline the necessity for transparency, accountability, and collaboration across sectors to address these gaps and inform policies that …
The Practice Of Executive Constitutionalism,
2025
Washington University in St. Louis School of Law
The Practice Of Executive Constitutionalism, Conor Clarke, Daniel Epps
Scholarship@WashULaw
The Executive Branch must inevitably interpret the Constitution. Although departmentalists and judicial supremacists disagree about the scope of the Executive’s constitutional authority, few believe the Constitution is only for the courts. But what are the practices through which the Executive Branch interprets the Constitution and translates those interpretations into concrete decisions? What is their history? And what, if anything, is distinctive about them? While a rich and growing literature has examined some aspects of these questions, scholars have not broadly canvased the most central tools by which the Executive Branch shapes and implements constitutional law, or considered what makes them …
Transit-Oriented Development On Aquidneck Island: Considering The Costs And Benefits Of Restoring Passenger Rail Between Fall River, Massachusetts, And Newport, Rhode Island,
2025
Salve Regina University
Transit-Oriented Development On Aquidneck Island: Considering The Costs And Benefits Of Restoring Passenger Rail Between Fall River, Massachusetts, And Newport, Rhode Island, Maeve M. Newton
Pell Scholars and Senior Theses
This thesis considers the costs and benefits of restoring historic infrastructure as transit-oriented development on Aquidneck Island, and its potential to bridge social and economic gaps between the urban communities of Newport, Rhode Island, and Fall River, Massachusetts. There is a direct need for more robust public transportation on Aquidneck Island along with environmentally friendly planning initiatives, and reinstating the Newport Secondary Rail Line for passenger rail service to the new Fall River MBTA station is one important way for historic preservation to be utilized for the improvement of sustainability and socioeconomic equity in the region. Original research will be …
America’S Hidden Heroine: The Revolutionary Experience Of Deborah Sampson,
2025
Salve Regina University
America’S Hidden Heroine: The Revolutionary Experience Of Deborah Sampson, Rebecca A. Dawson
Pell Scholars and Senior Theses
This thesis explores the life of Deborah Sampson, a female soldier in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment during the American Revolution. The author discusses how and why Sampson joined the military, the challenges she had to overcome, and her experience as the first American woman to lead a public lecture tour. Sampson continues to serve as an embodiment of resilience, courage, and the Spirit of ‘76.
“Tw-Ironic": The Ironic Consumption Of Media Examined Through Twilight,
2025
Salve Regina University
“Tw-Ironic": The Ironic Consumption Of Media Examined Through Twilight, Sydney J. Rooney
Pell Scholars and Senior Theses
“It’s so bad it’s good” is a phrase often uttered in order to justify watching, reading, or listening to a piece of media with a poor reputation. In the 20 years since the first novel’s debut, the Twilight saga has become renowned for its massive level of popularity and influence. However, it has also faced a great deal of backlash and criticism for a variety of reasons, which affected the nature of the fan base. Through analysis of short-form content, the ironic consumption of Twilight media is observed in contemporary times.
A New Frontier In Political Communications: Analyzing The Electoral Influence Of The 1960 Televised Presidential Debates,
2025
Salve Regina University
A New Frontier In Political Communications: Analyzing The Electoral Influence Of The 1960 Televised Presidential Debates, Leah Spengler
Pell Scholars and Senior Theses
Although Kennedy’s success in the 1960 election is often attributed to his performance in the first televised presidential debates, I contend that the party affiliation of voters and proposed policies by Kennedy, specifically those targeting civil rights, held more weight in securing his victory. The Kennedy image had been carefully curated for over a decade prior to the election, and Kennedy’s performance in the first televised debates reinforced the calm and collected impression he wanted to make to the American people. While his debate performance held significance as it was the first to be televised and led to a discrepancy …
