I've got a busy schedule at the moment, so my activity is taking a bit of a dive. Mainly, I'm working on a research proposal to present to a panel of clinical and forensic specialists for my MSc interview on the 26th. In short, this means one heck of a lot of background reading and note-making - even though the presentation should only last 10 minutes!

NB: For those of you who are interested, the hypothetical project is going to be on long-term users of benzodiazepine. It's a drug used to treat anxiety disorders, but has recently been suggested to inhibit memory functions. This is where the forensic link comes in. I'm interested in how the criminal investigative process currently deals with these people at interview (and later, at court) versus how they should deal with them (given their potential difficulty with memory).

Anyway, with all the writing/typing/reading I'm doing at the moment (not to mention being on call all week for work), I'm not too keen on typing lots more in my spare time. Sowweh guys, especially Jace. If I have a really productive day and can afford some time off, I might post soon. If not, it's likely to be the weekend before I do.

Best,

~Soph.

~Fox~ wrote:

I've got a busy schedule at the moment, so my activity is taking a bit of a dive. Mainly, I'm working on a research proposal to present to a panel of clinical and forensic specialists for my MSc interview on the 26th. In short, this means one heck of a lot of background reading and note-making - even though the presentation should only last 10 minutes!

NB: For those of you who are interested, the hypothetical project is going to be on long-term users of benzodiazepine. It's a drug used to treat anxiety disorders, but has recently been suggested to inhibit memory functions. This is where the forensic link comes in. I'm interested in how the criminal investigative process currently deals with these people at interview (and later, at court) versus how they should deal with them (given their potential difficulty with memory).

Anyway, with all the writing/typing/reading I'm doing at the moment (not to mention being on call all week for work), I'm not too keen on typing lots more in my spare time. Sowweh guys, especially Jace. If I have a really productive day and can afford some time off, I might post soon. If not, it's likely to be the weekend before I do.

Best,

~Soph.

Ame wrote:

Basically she's testing how psychoactive drugs can affect memory loss and weighing those results against the positive side-effects that have to do with anxiety management.

~Fox~ wrote:

NB: For those of you who are interested, the hypothetical project is going to be on long-term users of benzodiazepine. It's a drug used to treat anxiety disorders, but has recently been suggested to inhibit memory functions. This is where the forensic link comes in. I'm interested in how the criminal investigative process currently deals with these people at interview (and later, at court) versus how they should deal with them (given their potential difficulty with memory).

Adam wrote:

Ame wrote:

Basically she's testing how psychoactive drugs can affect memory loss and weighing those results against the positive side-effects that have to do with anxiety management.

The Wikipedia is strong in this one.

Thanks to all you well-wishers! It's lovely to have support. I'm sorry about the extended leave of absence, but I will be back next week. I know I have PMs and topics to get to, massive apologetic hugs to those people.

See you all on the other side!

~Soph.

P.S. The understanding/not understanding comments made me giggle. It's actually been quite a task trying to whittle down the precise effects I'm proposing to study.

Whew, that was a much longer absence than I had planned on taking. But starting tomorrow, I'll be back. Expect a spam-tabulous flood of posts in all the introductions and departures I've missed, plus a few others besides. Uriko's topic takes priority, though.

As for the interview/presentation... it didn't go great. I've never been put under such intense scrutiny at interview and felt like I struggled along. The outcome doesn't matter so much (I have unconditional offers from other, well-regarded institutions), but I wasn't happy about not doing myself justice. So I did what any mature, sensible adult would do and got squiffy. Very, very squiffy. Which is why I'm late back, as the hangover I've been nursing has been unpleasant.

Adam wrote:

Have my babies!

Added to my to-do list.

TOPKite wrote:

I would be interested in reading your proposal when you finish, having taken courses in both Forensics and Pharmacology and also studying clinical medicine, this would be an interesting read, if you don't mind other people looking at your work. If you don't feel like/don't want to show anyone that's totally understandable.

As for the topic itself, it's an interesting angle. The supposed memory altering effects of depressants have always lingered off in the periphery of warning for us during our pharmacological course and the clinical side, I never really considered the implications from a forensic/law enforcement side. Anyway, good luck.

Thank you, TK. I was coming at it from the "this is a rather neglected area" standpoint. As for providing a copy, I'll see what I can do! I'll even be able to patch a few holes in the proposal, now I've had some expert feedback from my interviewers. It's quite detailed for a 10 minute presentation. Would a hypothetical abstract be sufficient?

============

A HUUUUUGGGGGEEEEEEEE thank you to everyone who dropped in to say hi/good luck/au revoir or anything else on this topic. I hope you guys all know I love you.

Best,

~Soph.

Dan wrote:

#Kingslayer

You guyyyssss.

Well despite my enthusiasm, work is keeping me bogged down. I got in around 9pm yesterday and today. Hopefully, I'll be left alone tomorrow and will get some posties done.