Withdrawal: Koren G,Bellaish E,Maman K. Hair analysis for drug-facilitated crime: the critical role of hair growth rate. J Forensic Sci 2019;54(5):1574–5 (https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14013)

The following article from the Journal of Forensic Science, “Hair Analysis for Drug-Facilitated Crime: The Critical Role of Hair Growth Rate” by Koren G, Bellaish E, Maman K, published online on 3rd September 2019 (1) on Wiley Online Library has been withdrawn at the authors’ request, and in agreement between the authors, the Journal’s Editorial Office, and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. The withdrawal has been agreed to by all parties due to material included in the article being involved in current litigation. Reference 1. Koren G, Bellaish E, Maman K. Hair analysis for drug-facilitated crime: the critical role of hair growth rate. J Forensic Sci 2019;54(5):1574–5. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14013 .     

Withdrawn: Suicide: Exploring the Relationship Between Modality and Population Demographic (San Mateo County,CA, USA 2007–2018): A Population‐Based Study

Withdrawal: Botham AD. Suicide: Exploring the Relationship Between Modality and Population Demographic (San Mateo County, CA, USA 2007–2018): A Population‐Based Study. J Forensic Sci 2019;64(6):1750‐60 ( https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.14090 ) The above article, first published online on June 03, 2019, in Wiley Online Library, has been withdrawn at author’s request, and in agreement between the author, the JFS Editor‐in‐Chief (Dr. Michael Peat), and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The withdrawal has been agreed to by all parties given the article includes sensitive data which was not authorized for publication.     

Language use in ancestry research and estimation

Recent discussions have revolved around the concept of ancestry and ancestry estimation; however, the associated terminology and its theoretical underpinnings have not been similarly examined. This research evaluates the concepts (e.g., race, ancestry, ethnicity) currently in use, examines if they are consistent with the groups employed to illustrate them (e.g., Black, European, Hispanic), and looks for patterns in language usage. Articles in the Anthropology, Odontology, and General sections of the Journal of Forensic Sciences between 2009 and 2019 were evaluated for ancestry‐related language use. For each article, the concepts, examples, and bibliographic information were recorded, and the relationship between concept and example was examined. These data were cross‐tabulated to evaluate relationships between the variables. Cramer's V was used to assess the strength of association of these relationships. In this sample, ancestry predominates, especially recently The concept used is significantly associated with all variables except publication date and authors’ institution(s). Despite the prevalence of the ancestry concept, racially based terms for individual groups were common. The use of ancestry, over race, in forensic contexts has been suggested to be a primarily linguistic change; these results may support that assertion. Inconsistent language usage leads to a lack of clarity in meaning among researchers and misinterpretation of the data. It is critical to recognize that inconsistencies exist, but also to understand why they exist. These results underscore the long overdue need for the inclusion of diverse perspectives in forensic anthropology, especially in the current conversations surrounding ancestry and ancestry estimation.     

A contribution to the discussion of probabilities and human hair comparisons

The paper by Gaudette and Keeping on "An Attempt at Determining Probabilities in Human Scalp Hair Comparison" in the Journal of Forensic Sciences (Vol. 19, No. 3, July 1974, pp. 599-606) has provoked considerable controversy. This paper highlights two of the sources of the controversy and shows how the probability, 1/4500, quoted by Gaudette and Keeping should be treated with caution. The necessity of the use of a likelihood ratio statistic is described. It is suggested that the hair examination form resulting from the responses to the questionnaire recently distributed by the authors and also the discussions at Quantico (Proceedings of the International Symposium on Forensic Hair Comparisons, 25-27 June 1985, Quantico VA) should be used to facilitate the collection of the data which will be necessary to enable a likelihood ratio statistic to be estimated effectively.     

Thirty Years of Scholarly Influence in International Journals and Its Relation to the Most-Cited Scholars in Asian Criminology

Citation analysis provides a quantitative means of tracking the most influential scholars and works within a field. Despite this advantage, there is a dearth of research that provides more than a snapshot of influence over a relatively short time period. One exception is the citation analysis body of research conducted by Cohn and Farrington (1990, 2012), which has recently been expanded to include European (Cohn and Iratzoqui 2016) and Asian (Farrington et al. 2019) criminologies. The current paper presents a thirty-year analysis (1986–2015) of scholarly influence within four international journals (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology, British Journal of Criminology, Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Criminology), as well as an analysis of the Asian Journal of Criminology (AJC) over its first 10-year period (2006–2015). The main conclusions are that, while rankings over time are not generally consistent within journals, the most-cited scholars tend to remain highly ranked over time across the four main international journals. Furthermore, the most highly cited scholars in the four international journals were also highly cited in AJC. The most-cited works of the top scholars across all of the international journals, including AJC, covered four major areas, including developmental and life-course criminology, theoretical issues, statistics, and policy issues.

     

Science,Evidence and Logic

Bernard Robertson and G.A. Vignaux, Interpreting Evidence: Evaluating Forensic Science in the Courtroom , Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, 1995, xxi + 240 pp, hb £24.95.     

Withdrawal: Botham AD. Suicide: Exploring the Relationship Between Modality and Population Demographic (San Mateo County,CA, USA 2007–2018): A Population-Based Study. J Forensic Sci 2019;64(6):1750-60 (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1556-4029.14090)

The above article, first published online on June 03, 2019, in Wiley Online Library, has been withdrawn at author’s request, and in agreement between the author, the JFS Editor-in-Chief (Dr. Michael Peat), and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The withdrawal has been agreed to by all parties given the article includes sensitive data which was not authorized for publication.     

基于Citespace的法医临床学研究发展历程分析

目的运用Citespace软件对法医临床学相关文献绘制知识图谱、进行可视化分析,探究该学科领域研究热点和动态发展,梳理鉴定难点脉络。方法汇总CNKI收录《中国法医学杂志》《刑事技术》《法医学杂志》《中国司法鉴定》刊登的法医临床学相关论文,利用Citespace分析其关键词、研究热点、基金资助、作者、发文机构及所在地等。结果法医临床学作为法医学分支学科之一,近年来呈现的科研成果部分获基金资助,多由开设法医学专业的院校完成;随着科研理论、技术方法推陈出新,法医临床学鉴定标准、版本也得以构建、更迭、完善,鉴定体量位居法医"四大类"之首。结论作为最具中国特色的法医学分支学科,法医临床学研究着重服务司法实践、以期用成果技术反哺鉴定,实现学术、实践的交流、转化。通过Citespace知识图谱可视化分析学科发展历程,有助于回溯此间规律,提示未来研究方向,提升鉴定业务水平,为持续增强法医临床学学科影响力提供借鉴。     

Sex Determination from the Second Cervical Vertebra: A Test of Wescott’s Method on a Modern American Sample*

Abstract: Numerous methods for establishing a biological profile exist; however, many of these methods rely on the recovery of several specific bones or on fragile skeletal elements that are sometimes irrecoverable. It is for this reason new methods utilizing other previously under‐documented bones should be established and tested by the forensic anthropological community. This study tests the accuracy of Wescott’s (J Forensic Sci 2000;45(2)) method for determining sex from the second cervical vertebra. Specimens were drawn from the donated skeletal collection curated at the Hamilton County Forensic Center (n = 57) and the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection (n = 243). Both intra‐ and inter‐observer error rates were low and accurate classifications ranged from 78% (females‐Function 1) to 90.6% (males‐Function 5). Of the five functions, Function 4 achieved the highest overall accuracy, with 260 individuals (86.7%) falling into the correct category. Overall, this method is an effective classificatory tool for sex estimation.     

Hair analysis: a worthless tool for therapeutic compliance monitoring

Hair analysis has been presented by some authors as a possible tool of investigation for estimating patients' compliance to long-term therapies. This paper summarises the different publications that have been devoted to this topic and highlights the available statistical data presented to support this proposition. Qualitative results of such determinations may be of some interest but due to the enormous interindividual variations of quantitative data, the idea of using hair analysis to ascertain whether a patient has taken his treatment exactly as prescribed, clearly appears to be inapplicable.     

Quantitative Analysis of Gamma‐Hydroxybutyrate at Endogenous Concentrations in Hair using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: A method capable of quantifying endogenous concentrations of gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) in human head hair was developed and validated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Hair was digested under alkaline conditions, and GHB was isolated using liquid–liquid extraction. LC/MS/MS was performed using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization in the negative mode, multiple reaction monitoring, and deuterated internal standard (GHB‐D₆). Linearity was observed between 0.1 and 100 ng/mg GHB (R² = 1.000). The limits of detection and quantitation in human hair were 0.2 and 0.4 ng/mg, respectively. Accuracy at 2 ng/mg and 10 ng/mg was determined to be 97% and 94%, and intra‐assay CVs at these concentrations were 5.2% and 7.4% (n = 4). Beta‐hydroxybutyrate (BHB), alpha‐hydroxybutyrate, gamma‐butyrolactone, and 1,4‐butanediol did not produce an interference, and there was negligible ion suppression or enhancement from the matrix.     

Macroscopic Analysis of Axe and Hatchet Trauma in Fleshed and Defleshed Mammalian Long Bones*

Abstract: Recently, the authors have noted that many studies involving the characterization of chopping weapon wounds have used either semi‐fleshed or defleshed bones (e.g., J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). As these types of specimens do not reflect the full range of actual cases of postmortem dismemberment or perimortem trauma, 11 fresh pig (Sus scrofa) articulated hind limbs, with contiguous surrounding flesh, were inflicted with wounds using two axes and two hatchets. Defleshed humeri and femora were subjected to the same treatment. While there were no great differences found between the fleshed and defleshed specimens, characteristics observed including entrance site width and the presence of chattering were inconsistent with some aspects of Humphrey and Hutchinson’s study (J Forensic Sci 2001; 46: 228). Further, it was found that curve transverse and spiral fractures were prevalent in femora, while longitudinal fractures were prevalent in fibulae. Hence, fracture types may play a role in characterizing some wounds caused by chopping weapons.     

The Measurement of Legitimacy: A Rush to Judgment?

In an important article on the methodological issues surrounding measuring of police legitimacy, Jackson and Bradford (Asian Journal of Criminology,https://doi.org/10.1007/s11417-019-09289-w, 2019) adequately warn against the use of confirmatory factor analysis as an adjudication tool for differentiating the possible sources and constituent components of police legitimacy. However, in the process of arguing against the Sun et al.’s (Asian Journal of Criminology, 13, 275–291, 2018) measure of legitimacy, they inadvertently bring attention to a more foundational issue—How should scientists conduct research and test theories in various cultures? Furthermore, their argument against the alternative measuring of police legitimacy elucidates an extensive problem facing criminology—they have brought attention paid to the interrogation of operationalizing key constructs within criminology. We argue that Jackson and Bradford’s (2019) critiques of Sun et al.’s (2018) modeling and subsequent testing of police legitimacy in China are a bit overstated. Additionally, we contend that testing theories, such as police legitimacy, across cultures should be conducted both top-down and bottom-up—neither are necessarily contradictory. We urge readers to be the ultimate amicus curiae because this issue is not a concretely right-or-wrong type issue.

     

Apology and Retraction: Questioning Fundamentals: Leyland Daf and the “Ownership” of Charged Property

Forward Links to Citing Articles

Retraction . Modern Law Review 67: 5, 832‐843 .
Online publication date: 1‐Sept‐2004. The note entitled ‘Questioning Fundamentals: Leyland Daf and the “Ownership” of Charged Property’, 1 which appeared in the September issue of the Review has, through the sole fault of the author, failed to acknowledge the use of an article written by Dr Riz Mokal entitled ‘Liquidation Expenses and Floating Charges: The Separate Funds Fallacy’ 1 posted on the SSRN Electronic Library in April 2004. Any views that appear similar between these articles belong to Dr Mokal. It is sincerely hoped that Dr Mokal will accept this apology for the lapse in properly acknowledging his views.     

Evaluation of Stature Estimation from the Database for Forensic Anthropology*†

Abstract: Trotter and Gleser’s ( 1 - 3 ) stature equations, conventionally used to estimate stature, are not appropriate to use in the modern forensic context. In this study, stature is assessed with a modern (birth years after 1944) American sample (N = 242) derived from the National Institute of Justice Database for Forensic Anthropology in the United States and the Forensic Anthropology Databank. New stature formulae have been calculated using forensic stature (FSTAT) and a combined dataset of forensic, cadaver, and measured statures referred to as Any Stature (ASTAT). The new FSTAT‐based equations had an improved accuracy in Blacks with little improvement over Ousley’s ( 4 ) equations for Whites. ASTAT‐based equations performed equal to those of FSTAT equations and may be more appropriate, because they reflect both the variation in reported statures and in cadaver statures. It is essential to use not only equations based on forensic statures, but also equations based on modern samples.     

Art and Community Development in Santa Ana,California: The Promise and the Reality

The authors build on the summer 2005 The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society article "Muddy Waters: Consigned Artwork and the Vagaries of the Legal System in Massachusetts," which discussed the Consignment of Fine Art Law in Massachusetts. Since that time, revisions to the law have been enacted, in reaction to high-profile cases and a desire in the Massachusetts legislature to streamline the economics of the gallery system. The authors provide an update on the new statute in Massachusetts.     

A Test of the Passalacqua Age at Death Estimation Method Using the Sacrum

A test of the accuracy of the Passalacqua (J Forensic Sci, 5, 2009, 255) sacrum method in a forensic context was performed on a sample of 153 individuals from the J.C.B. Grant Skeletal Collection. The Passalacqua (J Forensic Sci, 5, 2009, 255) method assesses seven traits of the sacrum using a 7‐digit coding system. An accuracy of 97.3% was achieved using the Passalacqua (J Forensic Sci, 5, 2009, 255) method to estimate adult skeletal age. On average each age estimate differed by 12.87 years from the known age. The method underestimated the age of individuals by an average of 4.3 years. An intra‐observer error of 6.6% suggests that the method can be performed with precision. Correlation and regression analysis found that the sacral traits used in the Passalacqua (J Forensic Sci, 5, 2009, 255) method did not have a strong relationship with age or an ability to strongly predict age. Overall, the method was not practical for use in a forensic context due to the broad age ranges, despite the high accuracy and low intra‐observer error.     

Development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines V: Determination of the variability of the optimised method

This paper is the fifth in a series of six in relation to the development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamine [L. Aalberg, K. Andersson, C. Bertler, H. Borén, M.D. Cole, J. Dahlén, Y. Finnon, H. Huizer, K. Jalava, E. Kaa, E. Lock, A. Lopes, A. Poortman-van der Meer, E. Sippola, Development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines I. Synthesis of standards and compilation of analytical data, Forensic Sci. Int. 149 (2005) 219-229; L. Aalberg, K. Andersson, C. Bertler, M.D. Cole, Y. Finnon, H. Huizer, K. Jalava, E. Kaa, E. Lock, A. Lopes, A. Poortman-van der Meer, E. Sippola, J. Dahlén, Development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines II. Stability of impurities in organic solvents, Forensic Sci. Int. 149 (2005) 231-241]. The third paper [K. Andersson, K. Jalava, E. Lock, L. Aalberg, Y. Finnon, H. Huizer, E. Kaa, A. Lopes, A. Poortman-van der Meer, M.D. Cole, J. Dahlén, E. Sippola, Development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines III. Development of the gas chromatographic method, Forensic Sci. Int., in press] dealt with the optimisation of the gas chromatographic and detection methods whereas the fourth paper [K. Andersson, K. Jalava, E. Lock, Y. Finnon, S. Stevenson, L. Aalberg, H. Huizer, E. Kaa, A. Lopes, A. Poortman-van der Meer, M.D. Cole, J. Dahlén, E. Sippola, Development of a harmonised method for the profiling of amphetamines IV. Optimisation of sample preparation, Forensic Sci. Int., in press] concerned the optimisation of the extraction method prior to GC analysis. This paper is a study of the optimised method in order to determine its stability. Investigations of within and between day variations were carried out in four laboratories. Moreover, variations between laboratories were also determined. Both flame ionisation detector (FID) and MS detection were used. One laboratory studied nitrogen-phosphorous detector (NPD) detection as well. For this task, 12 batches of amphetamine were prepared. Six of them were synthesised via the Leuckart route, three via the nitrostyrene route and three via the reductive amination route [A.M.A. Verweij, Impurities in illicit drug preparations: amphetamine and methamphetamine, Forensic Sci. Rev. 1 (1989) 2-11]. Taking into account all studied target compounds and the average results from four laboratories, the within day variation was around 6% for FID and 5% for MS, the between days variation was around 10% for FID and 8% for MS. For NPD detection, within day variation was 5% and between days variation 9% (only one laboratory). Finally, the inter-laboratory variation was about 12% for FID (four laboratories) and 10% for MS (three laboratories).     

REVIEWS

Book reviewed in this article: Reform of the Constitution . By O. Hood Phillips, q.c Some Constitutional Problems . By K. Subba Rao Entscheidungen des Bundesverfassungsgerichts . Edited by Members of the Court. Government Enterprise —A Comparative Study . Edited by W. Friedmann and J. F. Garner Uniform Commercial Law: an Essay on International Conventions in National Courts . By O. C. Giles Journal of Maritime Law and Commerce . Edited by David M. Sassoon . A Casebook on Company Law . By H. R. Hahlo The Tax Consequences upon Conversion of Property's Use . By Yaakov Neeman . The End of Marriage . By David Morris South African Criminal Law and Procedure (formerly Gardiner and Lansdown): Volume 1—General Principles of Criminal Law . By Professor E. M. Burchell and P. M. A. Hunt Criminal Appeals . By Michael Knight Sentencing Offenders in Magistrates ' Courts . By Keith Devlin . Books and Publications Received: Revenue Law . Fourth Edition by Barry Pinson Land Law . Second Edition. Concise College Texts by E. Swinfen Greek and N. Henderson The Sale of Fiats . Third Edition by E. F. George and A. George . Remedies for Unjust Dismissal . Proposals for Legislation by G. de N. Clark A Casebook on Tort . Second Edition by Tony Weir Freiheitsverlust und Freiheitsentziehung by J. Zutt Megarry : The Rent Acts . Volume 8. Permanent Supplement by Anna Cowan . Practice and Procedure . Third Edition by Rowland G. Witchell . Life Assurance and Tax Planning . By Peter Harris and Derek Hewson . The Law of Insurance . Third Edition. By Raoul Colinvaux