There has been relatively little change over recent decades in the methods used in research on self-reported delinquency. Face-to-face interviews and selfadministered interviews in the classroom are still the predominant alternatives envisaged. New methods have been brought into the picture by recent computer technology, the Internet, and an increasing availability of computer equipment and Internet access in schools. In the autumn of 2004, a controlled experiment was conducted with 1,203 students in Lausanne (Switzerland), where "paper-and-pencil" questionnaires were compared with computer-assisted interviews through the Internet. The experiment included a test of two different definitions of the (same) reference period. After the introductory question ("Did you ever..."), students were asked how many times they had done it (or experienced it), if ever, "over the last 12 months" or "since the October 2003 vacation". Few significant differences were found between the results obtained by the two methods and for the two definitions of the reference period, in the answers concerning victimisation, self-reported delinquency, drug use, failure to respond (missing data). Students were found to be more motivated to respond through the Internet, take less time for filling out the questionnaire, and were apparently more confident of privacy, while the school principals were less reluctant to allow classes to be interviewed through the Internet. The Internet method also involves considerable cost reductions, which is a critical advantage if self-reported delinquency surveys are to become a routinely applied method of evaluation, particularly so in countries with limited resources. On balance, the Internet may be instrumental in making research on self-reported delinquency far more feasible in situations where limited resources so far have prevented its implementation.

This article addresses the strongest variables related to bullying, taking into account personal background, personality characteristics and social context. A survey of self-reported juvenile delinquency among more than 4500 pupils in the 8th and 9th grades was conducted in a Frenchspeaking part of Switzerland. Offenders are more often boys, and boys score higher than girls for all the considered behaviours. The multivariate analyses showed that youths with a low level of self-control are more likely to bully others. Moreover, adopting a positive attitude towards violence and spending time with peers also increase the risk of bullying. The importance of environmental variables was also shown; youths are less likely to bully with increased supervision and monitoring by adults, and when schools participate in social control by impartially intervening to increase respect for the rules. Furthermore, when the school climate is considered in a positive light by the pupils, then their risk of committing bullying decreases. Finally, it appears that school absenteeism is a good indicator for detecting at-risk youths. The identification of these risk factors can be used to define appropriate intervention strategies.

The study assesses the correlation between self-reported delinquency on one hand, and empathy and cruelty toward animals on the other hand, taking into account personal background, personality characteristics, and social context. It is based on the first representative sample of adolescents that allows studying this issue in Europe. Method:The study uses data from the 2006 Swiss National Self-Reported Delinquency Survey. The sample contains more than 3,600 pupils in 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Results: The lifetime prevalence of animal cruelty in Swiss teenagers is 12%. Asked how they feel about people hurting animals, 2.4% answered animals deserve it or it is fun. Animal cruelty is correlated to various forms of offending. Youth who admit having maltreated animals have a higher likelihood of committing vandalism and serious violent acts. The correlation is weaker for minor violence and nonviolent offenses, such as serious property offenses and shoplifting. Conclusion: Animal cruelty goes along with higher risks of committing various types of offenses, but the odds are highest for offenses having a component of anger. Professionals should be aware that animal maltreatment is a sign of serious maladjustment.

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