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Witness

A blog about forensic psychology

Pornography
Child Porn Redux

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on June 11, 2017

An explosion of online pornography is leading to welcome research and debate on its social and psychological effects.

An explosion of online pornography is leading to welcome research and debate on its social and psychological effects.

Pornography
Why Are These Men Downloading Child Pornography?

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 30, 2017

Porn videos have only streamed over tube channels for a single decade. In that brief time, they've wrought unprecedented changes in sexuality.

Porn videos have only streamed over tube channels for a single decade. In that brief time, they've wrought unprecedented changes in sexuality.

Sex
Inside the Bungled Case That Spawned Sex Offender Registries

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on December 1, 2016

The 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling riveted the nation and spawned modern sex offender registries. But would these laws have made a difference? A brilliant podcast explores.

The 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling riveted the nation and spawned modern sex offender registries. But would these laws have made a difference? A brilliant podcast explores.

Law and Crime
Film to explore gay-bashing in friendly, liberal community

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on June 25, 2014

When the 19-year-old son of a respected small-town physician viciously attacked a local gay man, filmmaker Daniel Bruun set out to find out why.

When the 19-year-old son of a respected small-town physician viciously attacked a local gay man, filmmaker Daniel Bruun set out to find out why.

Transgender
Film to highlight violence against trans women of color

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 31, 2014

Trans women of color are a perfect storm, producing insecurity by transgressing against dominant notions of gender, race and identity.

Trans women of color are a perfect storm, producing insecurity by transgressing against dominant notions of gender, race and identity.

Law and Crime
Squeaky Fromme Competency Tapes Unveiled 40 Years Later

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 7, 2014

Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme was never sure why she pointed a gun at President Ford. But once she was found competent to stand trial, the outcome of her fateful decision was a foregone conclusion.

Lynette 'Squeaky' Fromme was never sure why she pointed a gun at President Ford. But once she was found competent to stand trial, the outcome of her fateful decision was a foregone conclusion.

Pornography
“Pornography Addiction:” Science or Naked Rhetoric?

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on April 26, 2014

Until the data establish sexual addiction as a viable scientific construct, it’s yet another example of an over-eager industry putting the cart before the horse.

Until the data establish sexual addiction as a viable scientific construct, it’s yet another example of an over-eager industry putting the cart before the horse.

Anxiety
How Locking Kids in Solitary Confinement Became Normal

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on April 14, 2014

Like a wildfire, a moral panic over juvenile "superpredators" ignited in the 1990s and has burned out of control ever since, erasing the futures of untold children across America.

Like a wildfire, a moral panic over juvenile "superpredators" ignited in the 1990s and has burned out of control ever since, erasing the futures of untold children across America.

Law and Crime
Storm Clouds Gathering Over Reid Interrogation Method

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on March 31, 2014

The Reid technique works great for getting suspects to confess to crimes. What it isn't so good at is distinguishing between true and false confessions.

The Reid technique works great for getting suspects to confess to crimes. What it isn't so good at is distinguishing between true and false confessions.

Forensic Psychology
Psychologist Whistleblower Awarded $1 Million

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on March 13, 2014

Landmark verdict for psychologist who complained that incompetent defendants were being certified as fit to stand trial; may change future practices at large California state hospital.

Landmark verdict for psychologist who complained that incompetent defendants were being certified as fit to stand trial; may change future practices at large California state hospital.

Sex
Appellate Court Rejects Pop Psychology "Past as Prelude"

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on February 12, 2014

The appellate court rejected civil commitment of a Native man who had rehabilitated himself in prison following his conviction for rape; future dangerousness not proven.

The appellate court rejected civil commitment of a Native man who had rehabilitated himself in prison following his conviction for rape; future dangerousness not proven.

Burnout
The Psychic Perils of Forensic Practice

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on December 12, 2013

Chronic exposure to images of horror poses risk to forensic evaluators as well as nurses, ambulance drivers, police, lawyers—even jurors.

Chronic exposure to images of horror poses risk to forensic evaluators as well as nurses, ambulance drivers, police, lawyers—even jurors.

Transgender
Film Explores Town's Polarization Over Transgender Murder

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on October 20, 2013

The 2008 murder of Larry King polarized the community of Oxnard, California. The chasm widened during the highly publicized trial of 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, who invoked a gay panic defense that blamed the transgender victim for provoking his own murder. Now, HBO is tackling the case with a moving and thought-provoking documentary.

The 2008 murder of Larry King polarized the community of Oxnard, California. The chasm widened during the highly publicized trial of 14-year-old Brandon McInerney, who invoked a gay panic defense that blamed the transgender victim for provoking his own murder. Now, HBO is tackling the case with a moving and thought-provoking documentary.

Law and Crime
Militarization: When the Extraordinary Becomes Ordinary

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on October 16, 2013

In 1970, only Los Angeles had a police SWAT team. Now, every city's got one, and armored military vehicles are being used to serve routine drug warrants. In a culture of rampant fear, militarization looks like it is here to stay.

In 1970, only Los Angeles had a police SWAT team. Now, every city's got one, and armored military vehicles are being used to serve routine drug warrants. In a culture of rampant fear, militarization looks like it is here to stay.

Sex
Efficacy of Sex Offender Treatment Still Up in the Air

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on September 25, 2013

Despite increasing attention to the global problem of child sexual abuse, little is known about effective treatment and prevention methods. Worse, there is mounting evidence that some treatment may actually cause harm by cementing a deviant identity in people who are already at very low risk to reoffend.

Despite increasing attention to the global problem of child sexual abuse, little is known about effective treatment and prevention methods. Worse, there is mounting evidence that some treatment may actually cause harm by cementing a deviant identity in people who are already at very low risk to reoffend.

Bias
Violence Risk Assessment Tools Plagued by 'Authorship Bias'

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on September 4, 2013

Violence risk assessment is increasingly central to forensic practice. But is its research base accurate?

Violence risk assessment is increasingly central to forensic practice. But is its research base accurate?

Intelligence
Forensic Implications of the DSM-5 (Part II of II)

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 31, 2013

The DSM-5 was not the revolutionary "paradigm shift" we were promised, but there are still plenty of pesky little changes that could cause big consequences in court.

The DSM-5 was not the revolutionary "paradigm shift" we were promised, but there are still plenty of pesky little changes that could cause big consequences in court.

Psychiatry
DSM-5: Much Ado About Nothing? (Part I of II)

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 30, 2013

In the wake of massive backlash from other mental health professionals and the public, the American Psychiatric Association's revolutionary "paradigm shift" fizzled into nothingness.

In the wake of massive backlash from other mental health professionals and the public, the American Psychiatric Association's revolutionary "paradigm shift" fizzled into nothingness.

Psychiatry
Military Scandal Unearths "Illegal" Psychiatric Diagnoses

Karen Franklin Ph.D. on May 24, 2013

Women in the U.S. military face staggering rates of sexual assault. And the abuse doesn't stop there: Many are revictimized by their chains of command, often with bogus psychiatric diagnoses as a key weapon.

Women in the U.S. military face staggering rates of sexual assault. And the abuse doesn't stop there: Many are revictimized by their chains of command, often with bogus psychiatric diagnoses as a key weapon.