criminal justice

Criminologist shares good lessons from bad times

PULLMAN, Wash. – Scores of missteps as a soldier and cop in hazardous places have prepared Bryan Vila to make a career of studying deadly errors in his criminology lab at Washington State University Spokane. His free, public presentation, “Mistaken Adventures around the Globe,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in Smith CUE 203 will […]

Juvenile justice research helps shape state policy

Jacqueline van Wormer PULLMAN – When it comes to keeping kids in school and out of jail there is no one-size-fits-all solution.   WSU social scientists Leana Bouffard (criminal justice), Nicholas Lovrich (political science) and Paul Strand (psychology, WSU Tri-Cities) are conducting research on truancy that will help guide future juvenile justice policy and practice in […]

Police shortage presents opportunity

Using a precise presentation appropriate for the director of the criminal justice program, Travis Pratt counts off a list of five points that define the future of his program and its graduates. • First, the criminal justice system throughout the Pacific Northwest is experiencing a serious shortage of qualified personnel. • Second, even though the […]

Build understanding, build trust

You’re a cop. He’s a suspect. The situation’s deadly. What do you do?Your action may depend, in part, on your perception. How and why perception influences decision-making is something Faith Lutze, associate professor of criminal justice, wanted her students to explore — especially since their careers may involve them in life-or-death decisions.She incorporated training prepared […]

Federal funding continues work of public safety institute

The Western Regional Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety (WRICOPS) has announced that it will receive $300,000 in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to provide training, technical assistance and applied research services to criminal justice agencies and the communities they serve through December 2006.WRICOPS, headquartered at […]

WSU researchers uncover crime DNA testing backlog

Counter to what viewers see on “CSI” and similar popular television shows, a recent study at Washington State University suggests forensic DNA analysis remains a woefully under-used technology in investigating criminal felony cases throughout the United States.Based on information provided by law enforcement and criminal forensic laboratories, the new study suggests available biological crime scene […]

Research investigates ADHD, delinquency

Self-control and parental involvement can help prevent the occurrence of delinquency among young people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, according to recent WSU studies. Research conducted by Washington State University criminal justice Assistant Professor Travis C. Pratt on ADHD confirms previous studies showing a link between the disorder and the potential for delinquent behavior. However, […]

Expert on profiling, use of police force joins justice program

A nationally recognized expert in racial profiling and police use of force, himself a former police officer, is joining the graduate program in criminal justice at Washington State University Spokane. Michael R. Smith, an associate professor, holds a law degree from the University of South Carolina and received his Ph.D. from Arizona State University. Smith […]