This chapter argues that 'framing' the challenges posed by radicalised individuals 'online' where... more This chapter argues that 'framing' the challenges posed by radicalised individuals 'online' where the path to violent extremism is just a click away, is as much about getting the framing right as it is about getting the operational plans right. A general framework based on 4 P's (Policing-Public-Policies-Politics) is proposed as the conceptual 'frame' for combating violent extremism. The metaphor of a compass is used to examine this 4P's framework from the perspective of knowledge management. The key notions of 'violent extremism', 'radicalisation' and 'digital era' are deconstructed before presenting a neurocognitive-based model of 'self-indoctrination' by those who 'inspire' a violently extreme narrative through social media technologies using the 'dark net' of cyberspace. Law enforcement's use of communication interception technologies and data retention laws is critically examined. The chapter concludes with operational implications for Policing the Public with Policy tools in the context of Political realities.
The current research began from the starting point that what we are grappling with when we are de... more The current research began from the starting point that what we are grappling with when we are dealing with violent extremists by and large is essentially ‘normal people’. What follows in this third major section of this research paper is the theoretical and conceptual search for making researchable the following question: ‘How do you assess someone who is normal?’
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two distinct yet complimentary “structured profes... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two distinct yet complimentary “structured professional judgement (SPJ)” approaches to terrorist/extremist risk assessment on the vexing issue of how best to deal with the subjectivity inherently involved in professional judgement. Design/methodology/approach An SPJ methodology is considered the best practice approach for assessing terrorism risk. Currently there are four specific terrorism risk instruments that have been published in the literature. Two of these SPJ tools are examined in detail, namely the Violent Extremist Risk Assessment tool (Pressman, 2009; Pressman et al., 2012) and the Structured Assessment of Violent Extremism (SAVE) tool (Dean, 2014). The paper critically unpacks the conceptual and methodological stumbling blocks of an SPJ methodology for controlling human subjectivity. Findings The paper presents the case for adopting a “controlling in” approach rather than a “controlling out” approach of an analyst’s subjective tacit (in-the-head) knowledge inherent in their professional judgement. To have a quantifiable SPJ tool that triangulates the multi-dimensionality of terrorism risk which can validate an analyst’s professional judgement is the next logical step in terrorist/extremist risk assessment work. The paper includes a case example of this “controlling in” approach and the validation methodology used by the SAVE software system. Practical implications The implications for practice range from incorporating the SAVE system in operational policing/national security work with its quantitative nature, triangulated risk scores, visualisation output of a prioritised case report with in-built alerts, to the required training for system calibration to enhance user proficiency. Originality/value This is a highly original and innovative paper as this type of quantified SPJ tool (SAVE) has up until now never been applied before in terrorist/extremist risk assessment work.
Die Optimierung des Prozesses der lnformationsverarbeitung bei Ermitttungen ist einer der wesentl... more Die Optimierung des Prozesses der lnformationsverarbeitung bei Ermitttungen ist einer der wesentlichen Erfolgsfaktoren. D abei ist es besondersi n der Aus- und ForTbildungb edeutsam,d ie Mitarbeiterm it einer m6glichst leicht umzusetzenden Methodik an die Problemfelder heranzufuhren. Nachfolgend wird ein Sysfem aus Australien uorgestellt.E s basierta uf Erkenntnissend er Kriminologieu nd der Kriminatpsychotogies owie auf Erfahrungen in der Aus- und ForTbildungv on Ermittlungsbeamteni n Australienu nd Singapur.W esentlichesK ennzeichen dleses Sysfems ist die klare, strukturierte Zusammenfassung und Visuatisierung von quatitativ sehr unterschiedlichen lnformationen. Mit einfachen Mitteln konnen so lnformationen auch bei komptexen Sachverhalten schnellu nd effizients trukturiert werden. Dase rleichterf es, Schuzerp unkte filr die weiteren Ermitttungenz u setzen, ohne dass yorschnelrl elevanteln formationenu nbeachtetb leiben.
To understand the nature of police organisations and their management in an Australian context it... more To understand the nature of police organisations and their management in an Australian context it is necessary to appreciate the recent history of policing at least in the last 30 years. In doing so an overall perspective is gained on the various reform efforts and organisational changes that have taken place in Australian policing. With this police reform perspective clearly in mind it then becomes possible to appreciate that the organization and management of the institution of policing in Australia is nested within the larger framework of ‘governance’. Hence, this notion of governance will be used as the key focal point around which to understand how police organizations manage their mission in the Australian context. Finally, the chapter discusses the inevitable ‘tension spaces’ that arise in policing and the need for police organizations to better manage such complexities
The thesis presents a qualitative research study on how police detectives experience, understand,... more The thesis presents a qualitative research study on how police detectives experience, understand, and think about the process of doing serious and complex criminal investigations. The data was collected using a semi- structured, in-depth interview with a group of sixty-four experienced police investigators from Australia, New Zealand, various State Police Services in America and the FBI. The empirical research methodology of phenomenography was employed to gather and analysis the interview transcripts for this group of detectives. The aim of this phenomenographic approach was to elicit the variation in the investigative experience both within individual detectives and between detectives in the group studied. Upon analysis, the variation in this group of detectives' conceptions about doing a criminal investigation was captured in a set of four hierarchically ordered and qualitatively different categories of description. These four categories reflect particular cognitive styles or preferred ways of investigative thinking that experienced investigators rely upon throughout the investigative process. The four 'Investigative Thinking Styles' start with the application of the 'Method' style of investigative thinking, through to the 'Challenge' style, and then onto the 'Skill' style, and finally up to and including the 'Risk' thinking style. These four styles constitute a theoretical model of investigation that has important practical implications for the recruitment, selection, and training of investigating officers as well as for the case management of investigations and the use of investigative teams for major crime investigations.
In this second main section, the extant literature on violent extremism is critically examined in... more In this second main section, the extant literature on violent extremism is critically examined in relation to its cousin ‘terrorism’ and its offspring ‘radicalisation’.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, Sep 1, 1998
The architectural processes of design and construction can be adapted to the design and construct... more The architectural processes of design and construction can be adapted to the design and construct of human solutions. Architecture provides a generative metaphor for therapy as well as a coherent and comprehensive conceptualisation for developing an integrated therapeutic eclecticism. The notion of 'therapy as architecture' is general enough to encompass all models of therapy. However, the paper confines its application of the architectural metaphor to the field of family therapy, and in particular to the briefer approaches to family therapy. Also, the paper demonstrates the utility of this architectural template for providing specific guidance on how to design and construct a therapeutic form in keeping with the client's brief and context. A case vignette illustrates how an architectural therapy works. (author abstract)
In this first main section, the contemporary approach to the risk assessment of violence is prese... more In this first main section, the contemporary approach to the risk assessment of violence is presented along with examples of current models of particular relevance to violent extremism. The section also includes a short discussion of the differences between a ‘risk’ and a ‘threat’ assessment. Finally, the section concludes with some current research examples of the types of behaviourally based indicators being used to further enhance risk assessment models particularly in relation to home-grown violent extremists.
The main aim of this research was to seek the assistance of experts (specialist academics and exp... more The main aim of this research was to seek the assistance of experts (specialist academics and experienced practitioners) at internationally recognised institutions and agencies to test, refine and validate a new neurocognitive based risk assessment toolbox.
It is an investigative truism that "information is the lifeblood of an investigation. "... more It is an investigative truism that "information is the lifeblood of an investigation. " Yet in many investigations po#ce and security personnel fail to fully utilize the diverse range of different types of information readily available to them which can add significant value to an investigation. In effect, ...
The literature on research in organizational theory and the social sciences at large is primarily... more The literature on research in organizational theory and the social sciences at large is primarily focused on the formal dimensions of the research process and largely ignores the cognitive activities involved in theorizing. We use Dean's (2000) hierarchical typology of the thinking processes of police detectives as an analogical framework to reflect on the cognitive processes of organizational researchers. Graphical depictions of the investigative thinking styles of method, challenge, skill, and risk are presented in a 3-D model. From this we construct a model for the research process that incorporates both the formal dimension related to the management of the research project and the dimension of the cognitive modes activated. We draw implications for theorizing, the conduct of research projects, researchers' self-reflexivity, and the training of research students.
This chapter argues that 'framing' the challenges posed by radicalised individuals 'online' where... more This chapter argues that 'framing' the challenges posed by radicalised individuals 'online' where the path to violent extremism is just a click away, is as much about getting the framing right as it is about getting the operational plans right. A general framework based on 4 P's (Policing-Public-Policies-Politics) is proposed as the conceptual 'frame' for combating violent extremism. The metaphor of a compass is used to examine this 4P's framework from the perspective of knowledge management. The key notions of 'violent extremism', 'radicalisation' and 'digital era' are deconstructed before presenting a neurocognitive-based model of 'self-indoctrination' by those who 'inspire' a violently extreme narrative through social media technologies using the 'dark net' of cyberspace. Law enforcement's use of communication interception technologies and data retention laws is critically examined. The chapter concludes with operational implications for Policing the Public with Policy tools in the context of Political realities.
The current research began from the starting point that what we are grappling with when we are de... more The current research began from the starting point that what we are grappling with when we are dealing with violent extremists by and large is essentially ‘normal people’. What follows in this third major section of this research paper is the theoretical and conceptual search for making researchable the following question: ‘How do you assess someone who is normal?’
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two distinct yet complimentary “structured profes... more Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore two distinct yet complimentary “structured professional judgement (SPJ)” approaches to terrorist/extremist risk assessment on the vexing issue of how best to deal with the subjectivity inherently involved in professional judgement. Design/methodology/approach An SPJ methodology is considered the best practice approach for assessing terrorism risk. Currently there are four specific terrorism risk instruments that have been published in the literature. Two of these SPJ tools are examined in detail, namely the Violent Extremist Risk Assessment tool (Pressman, 2009; Pressman et al., 2012) and the Structured Assessment of Violent Extremism (SAVE) tool (Dean, 2014). The paper critically unpacks the conceptual and methodological stumbling blocks of an SPJ methodology for controlling human subjectivity. Findings The paper presents the case for adopting a “controlling in” approach rather than a “controlling out” approach of an analyst’s subjective tacit (in-the-head) knowledge inherent in their professional judgement. To have a quantifiable SPJ tool that triangulates the multi-dimensionality of terrorism risk which can validate an analyst’s professional judgement is the next logical step in terrorist/extremist risk assessment work. The paper includes a case example of this “controlling in” approach and the validation methodology used by the SAVE software system. Practical implications The implications for practice range from incorporating the SAVE system in operational policing/national security work with its quantitative nature, triangulated risk scores, visualisation output of a prioritised case report with in-built alerts, to the required training for system calibration to enhance user proficiency. Originality/value This is a highly original and innovative paper as this type of quantified SPJ tool (SAVE) has up until now never been applied before in terrorist/extremist risk assessment work.
Die Optimierung des Prozesses der lnformationsverarbeitung bei Ermitttungen ist einer der wesentl... more Die Optimierung des Prozesses der lnformationsverarbeitung bei Ermitttungen ist einer der wesentlichen Erfolgsfaktoren. D abei ist es besondersi n der Aus- und ForTbildungb edeutsam,d ie Mitarbeiterm it einer m6glichst leicht umzusetzenden Methodik an die Problemfelder heranzufuhren. Nachfolgend wird ein Sysfem aus Australien uorgestellt.E s basierta uf Erkenntnissend er Kriminologieu nd der Kriminatpsychotogies owie auf Erfahrungen in der Aus- und ForTbildungv on Ermittlungsbeamteni n Australienu nd Singapur.W esentlichesK ennzeichen dleses Sysfems ist die klare, strukturierte Zusammenfassung und Visuatisierung von quatitativ sehr unterschiedlichen lnformationen. Mit einfachen Mitteln konnen so lnformationen auch bei komptexen Sachverhalten schnellu nd effizients trukturiert werden. Dase rleichterf es, Schuzerp unkte filr die weiteren Ermitttungenz u setzen, ohne dass yorschnelrl elevanteln formationenu nbeachtetb leiben.
To understand the nature of police organisations and their management in an Australian context it... more To understand the nature of police organisations and their management in an Australian context it is necessary to appreciate the recent history of policing at least in the last 30 years. In doing so an overall perspective is gained on the various reform efforts and organisational changes that have taken place in Australian policing. With this police reform perspective clearly in mind it then becomes possible to appreciate that the organization and management of the institution of policing in Australia is nested within the larger framework of ‘governance’. Hence, this notion of governance will be used as the key focal point around which to understand how police organizations manage their mission in the Australian context. Finally, the chapter discusses the inevitable ‘tension spaces’ that arise in policing and the need for police organizations to better manage such complexities
The thesis presents a qualitative research study on how police detectives experience, understand,... more The thesis presents a qualitative research study on how police detectives experience, understand, and think about the process of doing serious and complex criminal investigations. The data was collected using a semi- structured, in-depth interview with a group of sixty-four experienced police investigators from Australia, New Zealand, various State Police Services in America and the FBI. The empirical research methodology of phenomenography was employed to gather and analysis the interview transcripts for this group of detectives. The aim of this phenomenographic approach was to elicit the variation in the investigative experience both within individual detectives and between detectives in the group studied. Upon analysis, the variation in this group of detectives' conceptions about doing a criminal investigation was captured in a set of four hierarchically ordered and qualitatively different categories of description. These four categories reflect particular cognitive styles or preferred ways of investigative thinking that experienced investigators rely upon throughout the investigative process. The four 'Investigative Thinking Styles' start with the application of the 'Method' style of investigative thinking, through to the 'Challenge' style, and then onto the 'Skill' style, and finally up to and including the 'Risk' thinking style. These four styles constitute a theoretical model of investigation that has important practical implications for the recruitment, selection, and training of investigating officers as well as for the case management of investigations and the use of investigative teams for major crime investigations.
In this second main section, the extant literature on violent extremism is critically examined in... more In this second main section, the extant literature on violent extremism is critically examined in relation to its cousin ‘terrorism’ and its offspring ‘radicalisation’.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, Sep 1, 1998
The architectural processes of design and construction can be adapted to the design and construct... more The architectural processes of design and construction can be adapted to the design and construct of human solutions. Architecture provides a generative metaphor for therapy as well as a coherent and comprehensive conceptualisation for developing an integrated therapeutic eclecticism. The notion of 'therapy as architecture' is general enough to encompass all models of therapy. However, the paper confines its application of the architectural metaphor to the field of family therapy, and in particular to the briefer approaches to family therapy. Also, the paper demonstrates the utility of this architectural template for providing specific guidance on how to design and construct a therapeutic form in keeping with the client's brief and context. A case vignette illustrates how an architectural therapy works. (author abstract)
In this first main section, the contemporary approach to the risk assessment of violence is prese... more In this first main section, the contemporary approach to the risk assessment of violence is presented along with examples of current models of particular relevance to violent extremism. The section also includes a short discussion of the differences between a ‘risk’ and a ‘threat’ assessment. Finally, the section concludes with some current research examples of the types of behaviourally based indicators being used to further enhance risk assessment models particularly in relation to home-grown violent extremists.
The main aim of this research was to seek the assistance of experts (specialist academics and exp... more The main aim of this research was to seek the assistance of experts (specialist academics and experienced practitioners) at internationally recognised institutions and agencies to test, refine and validate a new neurocognitive based risk assessment toolbox.
It is an investigative truism that "information is the lifeblood of an investigation. "... more It is an investigative truism that "information is the lifeblood of an investigation. " Yet in many investigations po#ce and security personnel fail to fully utilize the diverse range of different types of information readily available to them which can add significant value to an investigation. In effect, ...
The literature on research in organizational theory and the social sciences at large is primarily... more The literature on research in organizational theory and the social sciences at large is primarily focused on the formal dimensions of the research process and largely ignores the cognitive activities involved in theorizing. We use Dean's (2000) hierarchical typology of the thinking processes of police detectives as an analogical framework to reflect on the cognitive processes of organizational researchers. Graphical depictions of the investigative thinking styles of method, challenge, skill, and risk are presented in a 3-D model. From this we construct a model for the research process that incorporates both the formal dimension related to the management of the research project and the dimension of the cognitive modes activated. We draw implications for theorizing, the conduct of research projects, researchers' self-reflexivity, and the training of research students.
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Papers by Geoff Dean