Sandra B. McPherson – författare

The first wave of methamphetamine use began in the late 1980s and its prevalence has continued to rise across the United States and throughout the world. As with any harmful substance, its abuse has far-reaching ramifications that go beyond the destruction it causes to the human body. Written by a multidisciplinary team of experts, Methamphetamine Use: Clinical and Forensic Aspects, Second Edition examines meth use and abuse from clinical, forensic, and criminal justice perspectives. Updated and expanded to reflect changes in recent years, this volume covers virtually every aspect of this dangerous drug.The book begins with a history of drug control in America, then provides global perspectives on methamphetamine use. It explores biochemical aspects and includes a chapter on the methamphetamine analogue "ecstasy." The text examines the effects of meth use on human behavior, with a special focus on empirical evidence of amphetamine use as a contributing factor in aggression. The authors discuss forensic issues related to methamphetamine use in chapters covering expert testimony, criminal responsibility, mitigation in sentencing, and competency to stand trial. The last section examines various treatment modalities.As methamphetamine grows once again in popularity, it is crucial that those who deal with the effects of it be well-informed about the dangers it poses. This volume provides a comprehensive, critical survey of the current knowledge regarding the use and abuse of this dangerous and ubiquitous substance.

Child abuse cases with hard-to-prove allegations pose challenges for all those who seek to protect the welfare of children. Helping courts, evaluators, guardians, and lawyers understand and work with difficult cases, Equivocal Child Abuse brings together insights, experience, and guidance from multiple sources to minimize unnecessary harm done to children and families. Exploring all facets of case management, the book discusses: Legal concepts and theory, the history of guardians ad litem, and the complexity of the processes involved in legal decision makingHow different court systems operate, the path of a case, and the roles of participants in custody casesThe investigative process, the evaluation of report credibility, the use of videotape, perspectives of child custody evaluators, and sample investigationsThe testimony of expert witnesses, evaluators, guardians ad litem, and treating professionals; and the rules of evidenceHazards practitioners face in domestic relations and custody cases, including licensing issues, civil suit actions, and personal safety concernsIntervention options, such as supervised visitation, therapy for children, and mediationMental health issues in case participants, including borderline personality disorder, narcissistic and related personality patterns, affective disorders, and substance abuseA working model for the forensic evaluator, with instructions on conducting the evaluation and reportageFilled with case studies to elucidate concepts, the book also contains appendices with recommended guidelines for interviewing children in cases of alleged sexual abuse, a line-by-line expert critique of a child interview, and other tools, making this volume a critical resource for all those who contend with these complex cases.