Event-related potential (ERP) studies evidenced that some personality dimensions induced different controlled cognitive attitudes towards the processing of information. However, few data are available on the possible relationships between personality and automatic attention or early sensory processing. In the present study the relationships between the mismatch negativity (MMN) and personality described by the Cloninger model of personality were investigated. Subjects were 32 healthy volunteers. The MMN was recorded with frequent stimuli tones of 1470 Hz, 70 dB and 40 ms duration, and target (20%) tones of 1470 Hz, 70 dB, 80 ms duration. The subjects completed a French version of the 226-item self-questionnaire TCI within the day following psychophysiological recording. The results showed that the HA dimension was negatively correlated with the MMN amplitude. The association was more present among women than men. No significant relationship existed between the other dimensions of personality and either the MMN amplitude or latency. These findings suggest that the MMN is related to the behavioral inhibition system (BIS), a fact which is consistent with clinical studies conducted on schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. In conclusion, this study suggests that personality dimensions induce different automatic attitudes towards the processing of information.

Different stakeholders use forensic DNA databases for different purposes; for example, law enforcement agencies use them as an investigative tool to identify suspects, and criminologists use them to study the offending patterns of unidentified suspects. A number of researchers have already studied their effectiveness, but none has performed an overview of the relevant literature. Such an overview could help future researchers and policymakers by evaluating their creation, use and expansion. Using a systematic review, this article synthesizes the most relevant research into the effectiveness of forensic DNA databases published between January 1985 and March 2018. We report the results of the selected studies and look deeper into the evidence by evaluating the relationship between the purpose, content, and effectiveness of DNA databases, three inseparable elements in this type of research. We classify the studies by purposes: (i) detection and clearance; (ii) deterrence; and (iii) criminological scientific knowledge. Each category uses different measurements to evaluate effectiveness. The majority of these studies report positive results, supporting the assumption that DNA databases are an effective tool for the police, society, and criminologists.

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Purpose – This paper aims to describe the activity of managing records related to forensic DNA identification. First, it illustrates the fundamentals behind the technique of forensic DNA identification. Second, it explains the legal and institutional contexts in which it is used as well as the notion of DNA-based judicial records. Third, it provides details of records management issues that are met in practice. Design/methodology/approach – An interdisciplinary team reflects upon the practices surrounding the management of DNA-based records in the Belgian National DNA database during more than 10 years. Findings – The main problems with managing DNA-based judicial records stem from the existence of natural boundaries between the various stakeholders operating with or within the Belgian judicial system. Six types of issues have been found: non-automaticity and omission, error-prone and inefficient manual operations, electronic issues, results quality, useful reporting and incoherence and duplication. These problems are discussed in terms of four records characteristics: completeness, correctness, traceability and usability. Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to the Belgian case with no comparison with other countries. Practical implications – This paper attempts to formulate general principles that aim to stimulate good practices in managing records in the field of criminal justice. Social implications – The ethical issues surrounding the domain of criminal policy (e.g. the proper use of financial resources, the fair and balance use of records to carry out justice) are of general interest to the public. Originality/value – The paper benefits from a large temporal angle (more than 10 years) and applies a multidisciplinary viewpoint on its subject.