This study has two primary goals. First, we seek to identify common demographic characteristics and risk factors among adolescent methamphetamine (MA) users, and second, to determine factors that predict MA use among adolescents. A binary logistic regression analysis was performed on data gathered from a 2010 Midwestern state survey administered to 33,364 middle and high school students. Results indicate that typical adolescent MA users are male, identify racially as "Other," and are high school upperclassmen. Individual and community risk factors were found to be statistically significant in predicting MA use among adolescents. Specifically, high individual risk level increased the odds of MA use by roughly 9%, and higher community risk-level scores increased the odds by about 3%. Findings suggest that drug prevention efforts should focus attention on adolescent attitudes regarding health consequences and social acceptability of drug use as well as provide afterschool programs/clubs to adolescents.

No abstract

No abstract

The term “forensic evidence” encompasses a wide array of physical items and verbal statements that aid judges and juries in rendering verdicts of guilt or innocence. Although forensic evidence receives much positive attention in the media, it is the subject of many popular misconceptions and has many limitations that are frequently overlooked. This entry will examine two of the most common types of forensic evidence—eyewitness testimony and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)—highlight problems associated with each of these, and discuss safeguards that may be implemented to help preserve the integrity of forensic evidence.