The impact of negative factors of professional activities on the health of law enforcement officers.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the study the impact of negative factors of professional activities on the health of law enforcement officers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved 89 law enforcement officers (58 men, and 31 women) who served for a year in practical police units after graduating from a higher educational institution. Methods: analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, anthropometry, physiometry, testing, and statistical methods. The health status was assessed by body mass index, Robinson index, and vital index. RESULTS: Results: It was found that the body mass index of law enforcement officers for one year of service in practical units deteriorated in both men and women by 1.3 kg/m2 and 0.9 kg/m2, respectively. More negative changes were observed in men. At the same time, after one year of service, the number of men with overweight (27.5 %) and even obesity of the first (13.9 %) and second (5.2 %) degrees increased significantly. In women, the changes were less pronounced. The dynamics of Robinson and vital indices, as well as the level of physical fitness, were also negative. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The results of the research indicate a negative impact of professional factors in terms of professional activities on the health of law enforcement officers. It has been found that adherence to the principles of a healthy lifestyle, in particular, a regimen of rationally organized motor activity, is an important area in combating the impact of negative factors of professional activities on the health of law enforcement officers.

The effectiveness of physical therapy in the rehabilitation of patients after arthroscopy of the knee joint.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To determine the effectiveness of physical therapy on the functional state of law enforcement officers' knee joints after surgical intervention. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved law enforcement officers from different units of the National Police of Ukraine (n = 56) who had suffered knee joint injuries in the line of duty, and underwent surgical intervention and rehabilitation procedures. RESULTS: Results: It was found that 78.2 % of respondents had suffered knee joint ligament injuries as a result of falls during rapid movement, while 43.9 % were in full gear (armored protection, helmet, etc.). It was determined that after surgical intervention, the functional state of the knee joint of law enforcement officers who followed the recommendations of physical therapy specialists and systematically performed special sets of physical exercises was significantly different (p < 0.001). Worse results were noted in people who partially followed the recommendations of rehabilitation therapists and performed part of the prescribed procedures and physical exercises. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The effectiveness of the complex use of physical rehabilitation means for restoring the functioning of the knee joint after surgical intervention, which included arthroscopy, partial menisectomy of the damaged areas, debridement, vaporization of damaged cartilage, etc. was revealed. The positive effect of physical exercises on the functional state of the knee joint was proven. The sets of exercises that are advisable to use to restore the functioning of the knee joint were determined.

Dynamics of components of physical and mental health of law enforcement officers during the period of martial law.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To investigate the dynamics of law enforcement officers' physical and mental health components while performing their duties during the war in Ukraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research, which was conducted in 2022-2024, involved 114 law enforcement officers (male) from the Kharkiv oblast (Ukraine) of different ages: under 30 (n = 35), under 40 (n = 41), over 40 (n = 38). To test law enforcement officers' physical and mental health indicators, we used 3 methods: 1) "Fatigue-Monotony-Oversaturation-Stress"; 2) "Well-being-Activity-Mood"; 3) "Assessment of Nervous and Emotional Stress". RESULTS: Results: The negative dynamics of most components of the physical and mental health of law enforcement officers of all three groups while performing their duties during the martial law were revealed. The most pronounced significant changes occurred in such components as "Fatigue", "Oversaturation", "Stress", "Well-being", "Mood", "Nervous and Emotional Stress". The most pronounced negative changes in most components occurred in law enforcement officers over 40 years old, which is due to both the age characteristics of the subjects and their length of service. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The research confirms the high complexity and extremity of law enforcement officers' service activities during the martial law, as well as the high requirements for law enforcement officers' readiness to perform tasks in the context of a significant expansion of the National Police's powers. The results obtained also necessitate the search for effective ways to preserve and maintain the physical and mental health of law enforcement officers.

Motivational and value-based attitude of law enforcement officers to motor activity as a factor of a healthy lifestyle.

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the attitude of law enforcement officers to motor activity and investigate its impact on their health. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research, which was conducted in 2022-2024, involved 163 law enforcement officers under the age of 30. Research methods: bibliosemantic, questionnaire, testing, medical and biological methods, methods of mathematical statistics. RESULTS: Results: It has been found that the vast majority of law enforcement officers (85.3 %) understand the importance of motor activity as a factor of a healthy lifestyle, its impact on physical and mental health, and quality of their professional activities. At the same time, only 27.6 % of law enforcement officers systematically engage in motor activity, 52.8 % do it sporadically, and 25.8 % do not engage in it at all. Among the reasons that prevent them from exercising are lack of time (65.6 %), lack of desire (31.3 %), and fatigue after a service day (28.1 %). It has been found that law enforcement officers who systematically engage in motor activity have a significantly better level of health (7.31 points) compared to those who engage in occasional motor activity (5.07 points) and do not engage at all (2.19 points). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The positive impact of motor activity on the level of health of law enforcement officers has been proved. Good health is a guarantee of high resistance of law enforcement officers to negative factors of professional activities, professional longevity, and quality of their professional tasks.

Persistent Illegal Hunting of Wildlife in an African Landscape: Insights from a Study in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia.

Decades of illegal hunting (poaching) have adversely affected wildlife populations and thereby limited sustainable wildlife conservation in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Despite intervention efforts to address the problem, the illegal hunting of wildlife has persisted. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the persistence of illegal hunting by investigating the drivers of poaching and intervention measures using a mixed methods approach. Stratified random sampling was used to collect data from 346 respondents through structured questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to collect data through nine focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews with experts. The study revealed that persistent illegal hunting was mainly driven by people's critical need for survival and sustaining their livelihoods and not by inadequate law enforcement as presumed by resource managers. Although law enforcement was the most prevalent intervention measure, it did not deter local illegal hunters because their main motivations for poaching were not effectively addressed. The key implication of these findings is that where the illegal harvesting of natural resources in protected areas by local resource users is driven by people's critical need for survival and a livelihood, which is ineffectively addressed, illegal harvesting may persist even with increased law enforcement. This study provides empirical evidence, novel conceptual knowledge and an understanding of how prevalent drivers of poaching and other factors may have influenced persistent illegal hunting in the Luangwa Valley.

The Use of Musculoskeletal Fitness Measures as Indicators of Performance in Police Occupational Tasks.

Fitness testing is employed by some law enforcement agencies to assure performance in occupational tasks. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between musculoskeletal fitness assessment scores and performance in police occupational tasks. Retrospective data from 106 law enforcement officers who completed five musculoskeletal fitness assessments (vertical jump (VJ), hand grip strength, leg back dynamometer, 1-minute push-ups and sit-ups) and three routine occupational tasks (1.22m fence jump (FJ), 8.5m victim drag (VD) with 101kg and a get-up (GU)) were collected. A standard multiple regression was performed to determine if the results in fitness assessments were predictive of performance in the occupational tasks. Models combining all fitness assessments significantly predicted performance in FJ (F(5,88)=12.228, p<0.001; adjusted R2=0.38), VD (F(5,88)=9.407, p<0.001; adjusted R2=0.31) and GU (F(5,87)=14.319, p<0.001; adjusted R2=0.42). Further analysis of individual predictors highlighted that performance in the VJ test was a significant contributor for all models, uniquely predicting 15% of FJ (p<0.001), 4% of VD (p=0.03) and 8% of GU (p=0.001) performance. Grip strength uniquely contributed 3% to performance in the VD (p=0.05) and performance in the sit-up test contributed 8% to GU performance (p=0.001). Performance in police-specific occupational tasks requires a combination of muscular strength, power, and endurance. These musculoskeletal fitness components should be ideally assessed in recruitment and return-to work practices to ensure officers can safely and optimally perform their occupational requirements.

Are you a cop?: Identifying suspicion in online chat operations with online groomers.

BACKGROUND: The increase in online enticement has led to law enforcement agencies engaging in more proactive policing through undercover chat sting operations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to identify the topics and communication strategies triggering suspicion in chats between law enforcement officers and offenders and why those topics do not result in suspicion in victim-offender conversations. METHODS: We conducted a thematic analysis identifying: (1) how LEOs trigger suspicion, (2) how offenders communicate suspicion, (3) how LEOs attempt recovery from suspicion, and (4) how these triggers were present but did not trigger suspicion in victim-offender chats. We examined 20 LEO-offender chats and 20 victim-offender chats from US ICAC task forces. RESULTS: We identified four themes that triggered suspicion: risk assessment by the LEO's persona, LEO avoidance measures, details related to the offense and evidence, and proof of identity of chat participants. Offender responses to triggers revealed three themes: discomfort navigating boundaries and uncertainty, risk identification, and risk mitigation. Themes for the LEO's responses to suspicion included: risk assessment for chatters, issues with technology, appeasement, and negative emotional reactions. Finally, juxtaposing triggers onto minor-offender chats yielded four themes: explicit boundary setting, victim risk assessment, deep relationship forming and disclosures, and technology issues. CONCLUSION: This study has implications for law enforcement agencies seeking to reduce suspicion and risk assessment by offenders during internet sting operations.

Strategies for Coping with Occupational Trauma: A Scoping Review of the Police Officer Context.

BACKGROUND: Occupational trauma is heightened among police officers due to their exposure to physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards. Sustained occupational trauma results in mental illness among members of the police, which is a public health issue of concern. This study aimed to report a scoping review of the literature on strategies employed by police officers for coping with occupational trauma around the globe. METHODS: A search string, formulated from the review question of what is known about the strategies of police officers for coping with occupational trauma, was used to search for articles from databases. A total of 588 hits were screened against inclusion criteria, resulting in 36 full-text studies between 1983 and 2022 being included in this review. Data were extracted using a standardised data extraction tool. The multi-step process was used to analyse the extracted data, integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. RESULTS: From this review, 'adaptive coping mechanisms', involving confrontation; 'maladaptive coping mechanisms', such as self-isolation, distancing and substance use; 'resilience', relating to mental preparation, and 'seeking support systems' from family, colleagues and professionals reflected the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. Social stigma related to mental health disorders impacts the strategies used by police officers to cope with occupational trauma. CONCLUSIONS: the police management and healthcare practitioners must collaborate towards providing constructive environments that support and strengthen police officers' strategies for coping with occupational trauma.

Improving compliance around protected areas through fair administration of rules.

Protected area management often depends heavily on law enforcement to secure compliance with rules. However, this can contribute to conflict between protected area authorities and local people, negatively affecting both human well-being and conservation outcomes. Compliance is affected by many factors, including whether those who enforce rules are perceived to do so fairly, as well as the perceived rule-related behavior of others. We used factorial survey experiments to explore how fair respondents living around protected areas in Indonesia and Tanzania perceive sanctions distributed by law enforcers to be. We presented scenarios to respondents to assess how crime type, offender characteristics, and corruption influenced their judgments regarding the fairness of administered sanctions. We also assessed how descriptive norms and corruption influenced individuals' willingness to obey protected area rules. Data were collected from 229 people in Indonesia and 217 in Tanzania. Results showed that in both locations, lawful sanctions, such as arrests or warnings, were perceived as fairer, and sanctions that involved corruption were perceived as least fair. Attitudes toward protected area rules, corruption, and descriptive norms all influenced people's willingness to comply, whereas multidimensional poverty did not. Our results highlight the need for conservation policy and practice to move beyond narratives that focus on the need for more law enforcement. To improve protected area compliance and secure better outcomes for people and nature, conservation must focus on ensuring the fair administration of rules and enhancing the legitimacy of rules themselves.

Mejoras en el cumplimiento alrededor de las áreas protegidas mediante la administración imparcial de reglas Resumen El manejo de áreas protegidas casi siempre depende de la aplicación de la ley para asegurar el cumplimiento de las reglas. Sin embargo, esto puede contribuir al conflicto entro las autoridades de las áreas protegidas y los locales, lo que afecta negativamente al bienestar humano y a los resultados de conservación. El cumplimiento se ve afectado por muchos factores, incluido si se percibe que quienes aplican las reglas lo hacen de manera imparcial, así como el comportamiento relacionado a las reglas de las demás. Aplicamos experimentos de censo factorial para explorar cómo los respondientes imparciales que viven en torno a las áreas protegidas en Indonesia y Tanzania perciben las sanciones distribuidas por los agentes de la ley. Les presentamos escenarios para analizar cómo el tipo de crimen, características del ofensor y la corrupción influyen sobre sus juicios con respecto a la imparcialidad de las sanciones administradas. También analizamos cómo las normas descriptivas y la corrupción influyen sobre la voluntad individual de obedecer las reglas del área protegida. Recolectamos los datos de 299 personas en Indonesia y 217 en Tanzania. Los resultados mostraron que, en ambas localidades, las sanciones legales, como arrestos o advertencias, eran percibidas como más justas, y las sanciones que involucraban corrupción eran percibidas como las menos justas. Todas las actitudes hacia las reglas de las áreas protegidas, la corrupción y las normas descriptivas influyeron sobre la voluntad de las personas para obedecer, mientras que la pobreza multidimensional no influyó. Nuestros resultados enfatizan la necesidad de que las políticas y prácticas de conservación vayan más allá de las narrativas que se enfocan en la necesidad de una mayor aplicación de la ley. Para incrementar el cumplimiento en las áreas protegidas y asegurar mejores resultados para las personas y la naturaleza, la conservación debe enfocarse en garantizar la administración imparcial de las reglas e incrementar su legitimidad.

A Self-Assessment Tool for Helping Identify Police Burnout Among Investigators of Child Sexual Abuse Material.

Introduction: Law enforcement professionals who investigate crimes involving child sexual abuse material face increased risk of mental health challenges, including burnout. This study aims to develop a data-driven self-assessment tool for law enforcement personnel exposed to child sexual abuse material. The tool assesses burnout symptoms and related mental health issues, offering a proactive approach to identifying and supporting individuals at risk. Methods: A mixed-methods investigation involved 500 police investigators and forensic examiners across the U.S. The study utilized a convenience sample recruited through various channels connected with the National Criminal Justice Training Center. Results: Twenty percent of participants exhibited high burnout. The Burnout Self-Assessment Tool demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.6% and specificity of 74.6% at a cut-off point ≥2, correctly classifying 73.6% of the sample. Individuals with scores ≥2 were 3.47 times more likely to be experiencing high burnout than peers with a score of zero, with increasing odds with each additional score. High burnout was associated with longer tenure in current positions. Conclusions: The Burnout Self-Assessment Tool offers a short and simple self-assessment tool for law enforcement professionals exposed to child sexual abuse material, aiding in the early identification of burnout symptoms. A cut-off point ≥2 provides a data-driven strategy for identifying individuals at increased risk, promoting timely intervention and support to mitigate burnout's adverse effects on mental well-being and professional performance. The Burnout Self-Assessment Tool's sensitivity and specificity balance enhances its utility, providing a proactive approach to address the unique mental health challenges faced by law enforcement personnel combating crimes involving child sexual abuse material.

Impact of L-theanine and L-tyrosine on markers of stress and cognitive performance in response to a virtual reality based active shooter training drill.

Ingestion of L-theanine and L-tyrosine has been shown to reduce salivary stress biomarkers and improve aspects of cognitive performance in response to stress. However, there have been no studies to concurrently examine the impact of both L-theanine and L-tyrosine ingestion during a mental stress challenge (MSC) involving a brief cognitive challenge and a virtual reality based active shooter training drill. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ingestion of L-theanine and L-tyrosine on markers of stress and cognitive performance in response to a virtual reality active shooter drill and cognitive challenge. The cognitive challenge involved a Stroop challenge and mental arithmetic. Eighty subjects (age = 21 ± 2.6 yrs; male = 46; female = 34) were randomly assigned L-tyrosine (n = 28; 2000 mg), L-theanine (n = 25; 200 mg), or placebo (n = 27) prior to MSC exposure. Saliva samples, state-anxiety inventory (SAI) scales, and heart rate (HR) were collected before and after exposure to the MSC. Saliva was analyzed for stress markers α-amylase (sAA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). The MSC resulted in significant increases in sAA, SIgA, HR, and SAI. Ingestion of L-theanine and L-tyrosine did not impact markers of stress. However, the L-tyrosine treatment demonstrated significantly lower missed responses compared to the placebo treatment group during the Stroop challenge. These data demonstrate that ingestion of L-theanine or L-tyrosine does not impact markers of stress in response to a MSC but may impact cognitive performance. This study was pre-registered as a clinical trial ("Impact of supplements on stress markers": NCT05592561).

Emotional and cognitive trust in artificial intelligence: A framework for identifying research opportunities.

This article briefly summarizes trust as a multi-dimensional construct, and trust in AI as a unique but related construct. It argues that because trust in AI is couched within an economic landscape, these two frameworks should be combined to understand the dynamics of trust in AI as it is currently implemented. The review focuses on healthcare and law enforcement as two industries that have adopted AI in ways that do and do not engender trust from stakeholders. The framework is applied to both industries to highlight where and why varying trust in AI is observed. Then seven research questions are posed, and researchers are encouraged to test the proposed framework in other AI-reliant contexts, like education and employment.

Law enforcement fentanyl seizures and overdose mortality in US counties, 2013-2020.

BACKGROUND: The spread of illicitly manufactured fentanyl is driving steep increases in US overdose deaths. Fentanyl seizures are correlated with state-level opioid-related mortality; however, more granular seizure surveillance information has the potential to better inform overdose prevention and harm reduction efforts. METHODS: Using data on fentanyl pill and powder seizures from High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA), we tested associations between seizure prevalence and overdose mortality, from 2013 to 2020. The primary exposure-seizure burden-was constructed by identifying counties having high (above the median) prevalence of pill, powder, or combined pill/powder seizure burden per 100,000 population. Poisson models accounted for county demographic, law enforcement and time trends. RESULTS: During the timeframe, there were 13,842 fentanyl seizures in 606 US counties. In adjusted models, counties with a high burden of pill or powder fentanyl seizures, or both (combined pills/powder) exhibited higher total overdose mortality than non-high burden counties (pills adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]: 1.10 [95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.08, 1.12]; powder aPR 1.12 [CI: 1.11, 1.13]; combined pills/powder aPR: 1.27 [CI: 1.25, 1.29]). A similar pattern of associations with fentanyl seizure burden was noted for overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (pills [aPR]: 0.99 [CI: 0.96, 1.02]; powder aPR 1.29 [CI: 1.27, 1.30]; combined pills/powder aPR 1.55 [CI: 1.52, 1.58]). CONCLUSIONS: Law enforcement data on fentanyl seizures predicts drug overdose mortality at the county-level. Integrating these data with more traditional epidemiologic surveillance approaches has the potential to inform community overdose response efforts.

The Road to 988/911 Interoperability: Three Case Studies on Call Transfer, Colocation, and Community Response.

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline-known more simply as 988-holds promise for significantly improving the mental health of Americans and accelerating the decriminalization of mental illness. However, the rapid transition to 988 has left many gaps as communities scramble to prepare-not the least of which includes determining how 988 will interface with local 911 response systems and law enforcement. 911 is often the default option for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, despite the fact that 911 call centers have limited resources to address behavioral health crises. Since 988 launched in 2022, one key area of focus has been ways that jurisdictions approach 988/911 interoperability: the existence of formal protocols, procedures, or agreements that allow for the transfer of calls from 988 to 911 and vice versa. This study presents case studies from three jurisdictions that have established models of 988/911 interoperability. It provides details related to interoperability in each model, including the role of each agency, points of interagency communication, and decision points that can affect the way a call flows through the local system. It also identifies facilitators, barriers, and equity-related considerations of each jurisdiction's approach, as well as lessons learned from implementation. This study should be of interest to jurisdictions that are looking to implement 988/911 interoperability, including those that are spearheading local initiatives and those that are responding to state-level legislation. Its findings are relevant to 988 call centers, public safety answering points, mobile crisis units, law enforcement, and local and state decisionmakers.

Fighting behavior, conflict perceptions, and firearm access among U.S. adolescents in a pediatric emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: Prior evidence demonstrates that both firearm access and fighting can predict future violence and injury in adolescents. We aimed to examine associations between firearm access with fighting behavior and conflict perception in a sample of adolescents in an urban emergency department (ED) setting. METHODS: In 2023, we conducted a secondary analysis of 13,610 adolescent encounters in the ED of a U.S. children's hospital from 2013 to 2020, using a universally applied, self-administered computerized behavioral health survey. We compared patient characteristics by reported firearm access and fighting behavior using chi-squared tests. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to investigate associations between 1) fighting behavior and firearm access, and 2) between fighting behavior and respondent preference to and reporting of fighting incident to law enforcement after adjusting for race and ethnicity, age, and gender. RESULTS: Approximately one-quarter of the sample reported past year fighting. Youth who reported fighting were more likely to report firearm access (AOR = 1.66, 95%CI = [1.49-1.86]). This association strengthened among youth who perceived continued conflict after a fight (AOR = 2.05, 95%CI = [1.73-2.43]). Youth who perceived continued conflict following a fight were more likely to report (AOR = 1.97, 95%CI = [1.65-2.36]) or want to report (AOR = 2.63, 95%CI = [1.81-3.81]) the fight to law enforcement. CONCLUSIONS: Those perceiving continued conflict after a fight were more likely to report access to firearms and endorse retaliation; however, they were more likely to want to report the fight to law enforcement. These findings highlight the potential for more comprehensive ED risk assessment to reduce retaliation and reinjury for adolescents reporting fighting behavior.

Adult Drug Treatment Courts and Community-Level Drug Possession Arrests.

Though the literature largely recognizes adult drug treatment courts (ADCs) as beneficial to participants, with lower rates of recidivism and drug use, the question remains of how ADCs impact communities and how other institutions (e.g., law enforcement) react to their presence. This study extends previous work estimating higher arrests associated with ADCs, particularly for crimes involving higher degrees of law enforcement discretion. Results indicate lower drug possession arrest rates for White residents in rural communities, and higher in urban areas, generally, but especially for Black citizens. Though the exact source of these changes has yet to be determined, current analysis indicates larger effect sizes for arrests scaled per officer, as compared to per population, pointing toward changes in law enforcement behavior.

Predictors of Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified Scores in Outpatients with Legal System Involvement.

The Criminal Sentiments Scale-Modified (CSS-M) has been widely used as a measure of criminal attitudes. This analysis examined CSS-M scores in a large sample of outpatients with serious mental illnesses and a criminal legal system history. We compared total and subscale scores in our sample to scores from two other previously published U.S. studies in which the CSS-M was used, and evaluated associations between total CSS-M score and nine variables (age, educational attainment, gender, race, marital status, employment status, diagnostic category, substance use disorder comorbidity, and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) score). Scores were higher than in two prior U.S. studies involving other types of samples. Independently significant predictors of higher CSS-M scores included being younger (P < .001), having a higher ACE score (P < .001), being male (P = 03), not identifying as White (P < 001), not having a psychotic disorder (P < 001), and having a comorbid substance use disorder (P = 002). Future research should test the hypothesis that these factors increase risk for arrest and that arrest events, and subsequent criminal legal system involvement, are characterized by negative experiences and perceptions of poor procedural justice, which in turn underpin the negative opinions referred to as "criminal sentiments" or criminal attitudes.

Gender differences in homicides. A comparative analysis of 106 fatalities in forensic autopsy data.

While most homicides worldwide are committed against men, women and girls are disproportionately affected by domestic violence and its fatal consequences. The Istanbul Convention mandates the prevention of gender-based violence, particularly against women. This study analyzes the characteristics of male and female victims of homicides to provide a comprehensive understanding of the different situations and ways in which men and women are killed. Files of 106 forensic autopsies of homicide victims aged 14 years and older (51.9% males, 48.1% females) from 2012 to 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, previous history with a focus on the perpetrator-victim relationship, substance influence, type of violence and law enforcement data were recorded. A gender-separated statistical analysis was carried out. Male victims were killed most often outside their own home (63.6%) by acquaintances or friends (54.5%). They were frequently under the influence of substances (56.4%). The perpetrators suffered from addictive diseases in 49.1%, and 52.7% had prior convictions. In both groups, stab/cut injuries were the most common causes of death, but stab/cut and gunshot injuries occurred more frequently in male victims. Female victims were killed most often in their own homes (76.5%) by intimate partners (62.7%). Compared to male victims, violent asphyxiation and blunt force trauma were more common causes of death. Furthermore, there was a higher frequency of multiple injuries (33.3%). The prevalence of a guilty verdict of the perpetrators was nearly equal in both groups. Gender-specific aspects should be considered when investigating homicides and establishing prevention and intervention strategies for interpersonal violence. Protective concepts are easier to establish in the public sphere than in private homes, which is why homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement, and legislation. Significant gender differences were found in the circumstances and the perpetrator-victim relationships of homicides. Gender-specific aspects should be taken into account when investigating homicides and developing prevention and intervention strategies. Homicides against women require special attention in society, law enforcement and legislation.

Awareness of medical cannabis regulations among UK police officers - a cross-sectional study.

Cannabis-based products for medicinal use were rescheduled in the UK in November 2018. The primary outcomes of this cross-sectional survey were to assess awareness of legislation governing these products among UK police officers and whether they had received appropriate training. 200 police officers completed the survey, and 57 (28.5%) respondents did not know these products were legal on prescription in the UK. 177 (88.5%) police officers believed they would benefit from more training on them and how to identify legal medical cannabis patients. Education on the legalities of cannabis-based products for medicinal use and why they are prescribed is necessary to improve knowledge among police officers.

Order Keepers or Immigration Agents? Latine Immigrant Views of Law Enforcement in Healthcare Settings.

BACKGROUND: Police and security presence in healthcare settings have grown. There are few studies exploring perceptions of these law enforcement agents among US Latine immigrants, who can be vulnerable to immigration enforcement actions due to past and ongoing criminalization and anti-immigrant policies. OBJECTIVE: To explore Latine immigrants' perceptions of law enforcement in healthcare settings. DESIGN: Exploratory, semi-structured qualitative interviews asked participants about their perspectives of law enforcement in healthcare settings. PARTICIPANTS: English- and Spanish-speaking adult patients (n = 19) from a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Los Angeles, CA, serving predominantly low-income Latine immigrants. APPROACH: We used the framework method for analysis to establish a codebook and inform our thematic interpretation. KEY RESULTS: We identified three themes: (1) perceptions of safety offered by police officers are separated from the role of immigration officers; (2) perceptions of police officers are integrated into broader perceptions of the healthcare system; and (3) lived experiences, including immigration status, influenced valence response to officer uniforms and perceptions of officers. Most participants viewed police officers positively as maintaining order and safety, separating them from federal immigration enforcement actions, and reflecting on local, state, and organizational "sanctuary" or immigrant-friendly policies. Individuals with precarious immigration status more often saw officers as intimidating. Immigration enforcement remained a key concern. CONCLUSIONS: Differentiating police and security roles from immigration enforcement in healthcare could improve Latine immigrant trust and access. Future studies should explore perspectives of Latine immigrants in localities without sanctuary laws or organizational immigrant-friendly policies.