Dataset of Digitized RACs and Their Rarity Score Analysis for Strengthening Shoeprint Evidence

In recent years, there is a growing demand to fortify the scientific basis of forensic methodology. During 2016, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) published a report that states there are no appropriate empirical studies that support the foundational validity of footwear analysis to associate shoeprints with particular shoes based on specific identifying marks, which is a basic scientific demand from the field. Furthermore, meaningful databases that can support such studies do not exist. Without such databases, statistical presentation of the comparison results cannot be fulfilled either. In this study, a database of over 13,000 randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) such as scratches, nicks, tears, and holes, as they appear on shoe sole test impressions, from nearly 400 shoe soles was collected semi-automatically. The location, orientation, and the contour of each RAC were determined for all the RACs on each test impression. The statistical algorithm Statistic Evaluation of Shoeprint Accidentals (SESA) was developed to calculate a score for finding another feature similar to a particular scanned and digitized RAC in the same shape, location, and orientation as the examined one. A correlation was found between the results of SESA and the results of real casework, strengthening our belief in the ability of SESA to assist the expert in reaching a conclusion while performing casework. The score received at the end of the process serves the expert as a guiding number, allowing more objective and accurate results and conclusions.     

Assessing the quality of footwear marks recovered from simulated graves

Footwear marks are one of the most frequently encountered evidence types recovered from a crime scene and can provide valuable scene intelligence regarding potential suspects. It has been acknowledged that impressions of footwear and tools can be recovered from graves, but previous studies have only focused on tool mark recovery. This has led to a lack of published information regarding footwear mark recovery from graves. It is therefore important to demonstrate whether the recovery of footwear marks is feasible and, if so, under what conditions this can be achieved. To address recovery, this study, placed 60 three dimensional (3D) impressions of footwear marks within 60 simulated graves. This was done to assess time (1, 2, 4 months) and at known depths (20, 30, 40 cm). The footwear marks within the graves were covered with clothing or left uncovered. The shoe’s design patterns were grouped and counted in a photographic comparison between the 3D footwear impressions, placed within the test-pits, and any recovered impressions. A grading system was adapted by the authors to score the quality of footwear impressions observed during recovery. The results demonstrate that the preservation and recovery of footwear impressions from graves is feasible. The simulated graves covered with clothing showed better preservation of footwear impressions, but there was no clear evidence that time or depth had an effect. The authors note that careful consideration and vigilant excavation skills are needed when excavating graves which may bear potential footwear marks, as their recovery will lead to an increased amount of intelligence that can link suspects to homicide scenes.     

A comparison of three shoe sole impression lifting methods at high substrate temperatures

Footwear impressions are a common form of evidence found at crime scenes, and the accurate recovery and recording of such impressions is critical for shoe sole comparison and identification. The lifting of shoe sole impressions from hot surfaces (>30°C/86°F) and in hot environments has received little attention in the literature, particularly in relation to the recovery of class and randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) required for accurate comparisons. This study addressed this knowledge gap by comparing the performance of three common impression lifters (gelatin, adhesive, and vinyl static cling film) at recovering shoe sole impressions in dust from hot flooring substrates. Dry origin dust shoe sole impressions were made on ceramic tile, galvanized metal, and laminated wood flooring using a shoe that possessed two RACs and five class characteristics present on the sole. Substrates were left in direct full sun for five hours during a summer day prior to lifting. Performance was measured by the proportion of RACs and class characteristics visible in each lifted impression. Results demonstrated that the vinyl static cling film tested performed poorly across all substrates, particularly for metal (23.8% marks recovered), including notable shrinkage of the lifted impression. In contrast, adhesive (~96% marks recovered over all substrates), and to a lesser extent gelatin (~85%), lifts were highly successful on hot substrates. These data suggest that adhesive lifts can consistently and accurately recover shoe sole impressions from hot substrates. This study contributes critical information for crime scene examiners to improve and expand evidence recovery in hot environments.     

少数民族女性传播形象研究

文化在传播的时候,由表征来决定其意义和过程,而形象的产生伴随的仍然是表征实践。表征是一个过程,是使意义被表征系统建构的过程。参与表征过程的人们通过话语方式进行意义的建构和争夺。话语构造了话题,它界定和生产了我们知识的各种对象,它还影响着各种观念被投入实践和用来规范他人行为的方式。     

印章印文盖印时间鉴定的实践研究

通过对近年来我们受理的印章印文盖印时间鉴定实际案例进行系统的研究,较全面地阐述了印章印文阶段性特征中常见定性特征和定量特征及其在鉴定实践中的运用．并重点讨论了印文阶段性特征中定量特征在鉴定实践中的运用,初步探讨了进一步利用这些定量特征建立统计学模型的可能性。     

Microblogging,Constituency Service and Impression Management: UK MPs and the Use of Twitter

Twitter, a microblogging site which allows users to deliver statements, thoughts and links in 140 characters to followers as well as a wider Internet audience, is the latest online communications technology adopted by MPs. Assessing the use by early adopters, this article considers which MPs are most likely to use Twitter (for example, tweeting), and how. Content analysis of MPs' Twitter feeds was conducted, and personal and political characteristics identified which may influence use. The data suggested that of the six characteristics tested, gender, party and seniority had most impact on adoption. Applying Jones and Pittman's 1982 typology, there is clear evidence that MPs use Twitter as a tool of impression management. Constituency service is a secondary function of the use of Twitter by MPs. Where MPs use Twitter as part of their constituency role it is to promote their local activity. This article notes that a small group of MPs use Twitter as a regular communication channel, but most are only occasionally dipping their toe into the microbloggersphere.     

正确把握朱墨时序鉴定的几个基本环节

在文书检验中,朱墨交叉顺序的判定一直是一个常见、重要的内容,对于鉴别文书的真伪具有决定性的重要意义。近年来,在科研和检案实践中发现,正确区分印章印文与书写文字的先后顺序,应掌握以下几个基本环节:有统一的技术规范作指导;检验设备应当满足技术规范要求;对字迹和印文色料与纸张结合方式进行检验;检验方法不能单一,应用多种方法相互对照应证;客观评价阳性反应的出现率和排除假阳性反应的干扰。     

扎根理论下的印象系列分析

创意产业为旅游业的不断发展注入了新的活力并促进了旅游产业链的延伸。以质性研究之扎根理论为方法论指导,对张艺谋主导的旅游文化创意典型实例"印象系列"进行研究发现:"印象系列"的旅游文化创意具有"名人效应牵引→文化创意为产品→利用符号意义创造旅游产品价值→实景就地展演为知识产权保障"的发展轨迹和特色。从张艺谋"印象系列"特征中归纳此类旅游文化创意产业定义为:在政府主导和支持下,通过创意者"天赋"对高社会知名度文化主题进行创意生产并使其旅游商品化的新兴行业,该创意生产需要高科技手段和高资金投入为支撑,并通过原生地展示来保护该创意产权。     

从足底压力分布看步法特征的可靠性

利用比利时FootScan压力传感器,对154名年龄在18至55岁之间的健康男性赤足正常行走时的足底压力数据进行提取,以运动生理学、运动生物力学及足迹步法特征理论为基础,用数理统计学方法对足迹压力数据进行了计算分析,对步法特征形成不同时期足与承受客体相互间的作用过程和作用方式进行深入、系统、定量的研究,进而对步法特征的传统理论进行验证,阐明了对步法特征理论中未经过科学验证部分的认识,并对步法特征理论中各类特征的可靠性及特征价值进行了初步的探讨,为今后的足迹步法特征检验鉴定工作和步法特征的发展完善都提供了有力的依据。