A wide range of studies investigating the nature and determinants of radicalisation, and terrorist-related behaviour exist. These, in turn, have influenced theory, policy and practice in areas concerned with violent extremism prevention, disruption and management. As such interventions become more common, debates rage within mental health professions about the role mental health practitioners should play in countering violent extremism. This systematic review assesses the impact of mental health problems upon attitudes, intentions and behaviours in the context of radicalisation and terrorism. We identified 25 studies that measured rates of mental health problems across 28 samples. The prevalence rates are heterogenous and range from 0% to 57%. If we pool the results of those samples (n=19) purely focused upon confirmed diagnoses where sample sizes are known (n=1705 subjects), the results suggest a rate of 14.4% with a confirmed diagnosis. Where studies relied upon wholly, or in some form, upon privileged access to police or judicial data, diagnoses occurred 16.96% of the time (n=283 subjects). Where studies were purely focused upon open sources (n=1089 subjects), diagnoses were present 9.82% of the time. We then explore (a) the types and rates of mental health disorders identified (b) comparison/control group studies (c) studies that explore causal roles of mental health problems and (d) other complex needs.

This paper outlines research on the engagement processes and pathways into organised crime (OC). In recent years research on OC has increased, however there is still little understanding of how individuals become engaged in OC, and specifically whether differences exist in engagement patterns between certain groups of OC offenders. A content analysis was undertaken on the auto/ biographies of one-hundred OC offenders to collect data on engagement processes. Quantitative analysis was used to identify significant differences in the engagement processes between OC offenders who join ('joiners') or form ('founders') an OC operation. The results revealed that measures pertaining to riskfactors, criminal trajectories, turning points, criminal motivations and social influences in engagement statistically differed between the groups. It was concluded that 'founders' were influenced by short-term criminal opportunities and economic considerations towards OC engagement, whilst 'joiners' were impacted more so by long-term social dynamics arising from ties and exposure to OC, such as one's parents being engaged in OC. Both groups however, directly engaged through social dynamics. The current study provides preliminary findings which increase academic and practical understanding of the OC fraternity, but also the findings offer a basis on which to target legal interventions. Additionally, the new knowledge may be instrumental for building theories of OC engagement. Specifically, it is theorised that the circumstances in how 'joiners' become engaged in OC represents a 'contagion process'.

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Tactical and technological innovations of one terrorist group often cross-pollinate into other groups with wildly different ideologies and from geographically diverse combat theaters. The aim of this chapter is thus to examine the potential imitation/emulation dynamics that extremist groups (both jihadist and other) might enter following the “success” of the propaganda produced by the Islamic State (IS). The chapter looks at two aspects of this problem: first, to what extent did IS innovate or imitate while producing its propaganda, and, second, how likely is it that IS’s propaganda will constitute a source of imitation for today’s and tomorrow’s violent groups? Drawing on what organizational psychology, business management, communications science, and terrorism studies say regarding creativity and innovation, the chapter highlights the drivers of IS’s innovation and thereby considers the likelihood of their being replicated elsewhere.