Anne Griffith - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Anne Griffith

Medicine, Science and the Law, 1994

Specific profile analysis: A data-based approach to offender profiling

The typing of phosphoglucomutase in vaginal material and semen

Journal - Forensic Science Society, 1976

The PGM activity of nearly one thousand swabs, stains and semen samples has been assessed. The in... more The PGM activity of nearly one thousand swabs, stains and semen samples has been assessed. The incidence of vaginal PGM in relation to the menstrual cycle has been investigated, and factors influencing the typing of seminal PGM activity have been evaluated. The accuracy of several of our staff in interpreting the isoenzyme patterns was tested in a form of blind trial.

Medicine, science, and the law, 1996

As part of a larger project evaluating aspects of offender profiling, an initial study was undert... more As part of a larger project evaluating aspects of offender profiling, an initial study was undertaken of the geographic aspects of approximately 300 sexual offences carried out by 79 stranger rapists. The objective was to focus further research on the topic into potentially useful channels, but information thought to be of immediate use to investigating officers was also produced. It was ascertained that at least one-fifth of the sample of stranger rapists were itinerant to a greater or lesser extent. Analysis of the cases where both the offender's address and the location where he approached the victim were known, indicated that the majority of attacks (75 per cent) were initiated within five miles of the offenders' homes. The apparent reasons for victims being approached unusually far away included targeting of locations where numbers of suitable victims were available; raping during relatively sophisticated property offences; 'prowling' or 'hunting' over l...

The appearance and grouping of mixtures of semen and vaginal material

Medicine, science, and the law, 1982

The grouping reactions of seminal stains and mixtures of semen and vaginal material have been col... more The grouping reactions of seminal stains and mixtures of semen and vaginal material have been collected from approximately 400 cases of sexual assault. These have been recorded together with details of the microscopic appearance of the stains and relevant case-work particulars. The success rate of some of the grouping systems used to type semen has been estimated. The detection of seminal ABO antigens and phosphoglucomutase (PGM) phenotypes in mixtures of semen and vaginal material has been discussed in relation to the proportions of the components of the stains.

A preliminary investigation using p-nitrophenyl phosphate to quantitate acid phosphatase on swabs examined in cases of sexual assault

Medicine, science, and the law, 1978

A method for determining the level of acid phosphatase activity of material on cotton-wool swabs,... more A method for determining the level of acid phosphatase activity of material on cotton-wool swabs, used by police surgeons in cases of sexual assault, has been described. The results showed that it was particularly useful as an indication of the presence of seminal fluid in the absence of spermatozoa.

Journal of the Forensic Science Society, 1970

Journal of Pragmatics, 1997

Speech is a strategic implement which can be used by the rapist to control a victim during an off... more Speech is a strategic implement which can be used by the rapist to control a victim during an offence through manipulation of the offender/victim interaction. Identifying purposive strategies within the speech of the rapist has the potential to provide personal information in general, or even in specific terms, about an offender, which would assist in linking offences and in describing aspects of an offender's character and lifestyle. However, there has hitherto been little systematic research into the strategic use of language by rapists during the commission of their offences. The work presented in this paper forms part of a larger, ongoing research project on offender profiling. Based upon an examination of the speech reported in 252 offences of rape committed by 55 offenders, a range of discourse strategies are identified and presented in a prototype typology. This typology has the potential to build a linguistic profile of the offender, which is ou:~" ultimate research objective. The theoretical and practical issues involved in developing such a typology are discussed. * The authors wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to their colleagues who were involved in the investigations of the cases reported in this paper. Thanks also go to Jacob Mey and two of his anonymous referees whose comments on an earlier version of the paper proved valuable.

Forensic Science International, 1988

The ABO grouping results from approx. 1000 seminal stains have been collected and analysed. Most ... more The ABO grouping results from approx. 1000 seminal stains have been collected and analysed. Most of the stains came from rape cases where the ABO and secretor status of both complainant and suspect were known. The results of the survey provided information concerning the usefulness of elution and inhibition as methods of body fluid grouping, the relative strengths of reaction of the A, B and H antigens in body fluids and the interpretation of the ABH reactions of body fluid stains.

Aberrent group B reactions detected in mixtures of semen and vaginal secretions possibly due to acquired B

Forensic Science International, 1984

Routine ABO grouping tests performed on vaginal swabs from a group O female showed the presence o... more Routine ABO grouping tests performed on vaginal swabs from a group O female showed the presence of blood group B activity as well as the expected A and H activity after intercourse with her group A partner. The source of the B activity was readily detectable using the Laboratory's routine elution test, but it was not detectable when a monoclonal anti-B was used and detection by the inhibition technique was possible only with a selected antiserum. A possible explanation of the reactions observed is that the acquired B is capable of reacting with only a portion of the antibodies present in normal polyclonal anti-B sera.

Forensic Science, 1974

The persistence of spermatozoa, seminal acid phosphatase, choline and seminal bloodgroup antigens... more The persistence of spermatozoa, seminal acid phosphatase, choline and seminal bloodgroup antigens in the human vagina after sexual intercourse has been studied and the following results obtained. 1. Spermatozoa were usually found up to 3 days after intercourse and were occasionally found up to 6 days afterwards. Smears without spermatozoa were obtained from swabs taken as early as 28 hours, but remained rare until 2 days after intercourse. 2. Seminal acid phosphatase sometimes remained detectable up to 3 days after sexual intercourse. The test was most useful on swabs taken within 1 day and rarely useful after 2 days. 3. Choline was usually only detectable on swabs taken within 1 day of intercourse and even within this time many negative results were obtained. The probability of positive results declined swiftly after 14 hours. 4. Seminal blood-group antigens were only detected at a useful level on swabs taken within 48 hours of intercourse. The chances of obtaining a positive result decreased swiftly with an increasing time interval after intercourse.

Forensic Science International, 1992

Summar} In this paper it is proposed that the behaviour of an offender during a sexual assault ca... more Summar} In this paper it is proposed that the behaviour of an offender during a sexual assault can bs considered as consisting of three main groupings or 'aspects'. These have been termed 'Modus Operandi', 'Sexual and Personal Gratification' and 'Attitude and Intimacy'. Although an oversimplification, such a model facilitates a preliminary description of the offender which can be of direct assistance to an investigating officer. Various factors affect the consistency and variability of behaviour and the model has formed a basis for the development of a concept as to which behaviours might be the more useful for identifying linked offences. This more systematic approach to the investigative and intelligence processes is reliant on a victim's statement containing very detailed information about the offender's actions, together with a record of as much of his speech as can be recollected. The material required is described using the model and the text is illustrated with case examples. Instances are quoted of the possible inferences and their relevance to the investigation of sexual offences.