Medicolegal assessment of blood transfusion errors--an interdisciplinary challenge

Given a current total incidence of erroneously administered blood transfusions of 1:12,000-1:36,000 (AB0 incompatible 1:38,000), the percentage of lethal outcomes ranges between 2 and 5%; i.e. the sole fact of an erroneous transfusion does not mandatorily result in a causal connection with lethal outcome, which can give rise to problems in the medicolegal assessment. We report on the conception and results of a novel interdisciplinary approach to assess the lethal significance of blood transfusion errors. Besides autopsy, histological investigation and immunohistochemical detection of AB0 incompatible foreign red blood cells in autopsy specimens, transfusion medicine investigations offer the opportunity to assess several immunohaematologic features. We assessed the immunohaematologic gel card ("microcolumn") technique for suitability in the forensic assessment of an AB0 incompatible transfusion incident in a septic patient, who had had no history of previous blood transfusions, with lethal outcome. After such an erroneous transfusion had been simulated in vitro, pre-transfusion and cadaver patient blood samples (p.m. interval: 3 days) were analysed. Amongst other things, IgG-loaded erythrocytes were detected in pre- and post-transfusion samples; the presence of irregular antibodies directed against blood group antigens and anti-A or anti-B isoagglutinins, respectively, especially in the pre-transfusion sample was ruled out. Besides the demonstration of AB0 incompatible red blood cells in the cadaver blood sample, blood group incompatibilities other than AB0 were excluded. With regard to the cause of death, in synopsis with autopsy findings and clinical symptoms, the results did not allow for a final discrimination between the impact of the pre-existing septic inflammatory response syndrome and sepsis, respectively, and potential lethal effects of a (haemolytic) transfusion reaction. Besides pre- and post-transfusion compatibility testing in clinical transfusion medicine as required by German National Guidelines, the reported immunohaematologic investigations offer an important supportive tool for the forensic assessment of lethal erroneous transfusions and investigation of blood samples of survivors of transfusion incidents as well. Besides established morphological techniques, they allow for a certain evaluation of the pathophysiological impact of transfusion incidents as well as a diversified assessment of immunohaematologic features beyond the AB0 system.     

Investigation of Reproducibility and Error Associated with qPCR Methods using Quantifiler® Duo DNA Quantification Kit*

Abstract: Reproducibility of quantitative PCR results is dependent on the generation of consistent calibration curves via accurate volume transfers and instrument performance. A review of 14 standard curves, using two different QuantDuo^® standard DNA lots, showed variability of cycle threshold values between assays were larger than those of the Internal PCR Control (IPC). This prompted a set of experiments designed to determine the source of variability. Results showed that error introduced during DNA addition to the plate resulted in little variation. A comparison of seven independent series demonstrated cycle threshold variation between dilutions was larger than the variation expected from repeated samples. Modeling the influence of pipette errors on dilution series accuracy indicated that a more rigorous approach to external calibration curve production is required and showed that improvement in calibration curve stability is expected if the pipette conditions are carefully chosen and/or a single validated curve is utilized as the calibrator.     

侦查中影响测谎结论准确性的因素

测谎技术是当前在侦查实践中经常使用的一种技术手段,由于受主观和客观因素的影响,使得测谎结论出现偏差。本文通过对测谎技术存在误差的客观性、常见误差的分析及衡平的探究,进而对影响准确性的因素进行剖析,总结性的得出测谎准确度的使用公式。     

A Perspective on Errors,Bias, and Interpretation in the Forensic Sciences and Direction for Continuing Advancement*

Abstract: The forensic sciences are under review more so than ever before. Such review is necessary and healthy and should be a continuous process. It identifies areas for improvement in quality practices and services. The issues surrounding error, i.e., measurement error, human error, contextual bias, and confirmatory bias, and interpretation are discussed. Infrastructure is already in place to support reliability. However, more definition and clarity of terms and interpretation would facilitate communication and understanding. Material improvement across the disciplines should be sought through national programs in education and training, focused on science, the scientific method, statistics, and ethics. To provide direction for advancing the forensic sciences a list of recommendations ranging from further documentation to new research and validation to education and to accreditation is provided for consideration. The list is a starting point for discussion that could foster further thought and input in developing an overarching strategic plan for enhancing the forensic sciences.     

Eyewitness Memory in Context: Toward a Taxonomy of Eyewitness Error

Although eyewitness memory and identification have captured substantial research interest in the past decades, an understanding of the types and prevalence of errors typically made by eyewitnesses is lacking. The purpose of the present research was to begin the development of a taxonomy of eyewitness error, employing standardized stimuli and established techniques. Respondents were exposed to a crime scene modeled on SWAT-training scenarios for systematically varied exposure times, and were then asked to describe what they had seen. The stimuli and questions employed were prepared with the aid of senior police field training officers. As anticipated, eyewitness performance in general was subject to a variety of inaccuracies. Physical errors, such as mistakes in the clothing or physical characteristics of the perpetrator, or in details of the environmental context, predominated. However, other less-expected errors were also observed: in relatively low numbers of cases, witnesses inferred emotional states or intent on the part of the perpetrator or victim. Some contributed wholly artificial backstories, reported the future actions of the perpetrator or victim as memories, or even inserted themselves into the scene. The pattern of results was shown to interact with exposure time, gender of the perpetrator, and the presence or absence of weapons in the scene. The results of this study are consistent with reconfigurative theory dating to Bartlett (1932), with subsequent research, and with more recent work under the aegis of Gestalt/Feature-Intensive Processing theory. These findings provide information on types and prevalence of eyewitness error which should prove useful in investigative and courtroom settings.     

基层金融机构在执行《反洗钱法》中的两个误区和建议

《中华人民共和国反洗钱法》自2007年1月1日起颁布施行已经进入第六个年头。这部法律的出台对于我国预防洗钱活动的发生;维护金融秩序稳定;遏制洗钱犯罪及相关犯罪,起到了积极和重要的作用。文章将对基层金融机构在贯彻落实这部法律中存在的问题和误区进行剖析,提出自己的意见和建议。     

被害人辨认错误及其防范

被害人辨认错误是导致刑事错案发生的主要原因之一。被害人“身临其境”和“身受其害”的当事人身份，决定了被害人体验案件事实和辨认犯罪嫌疑人存在局限性，容易出现某些“诚实”的错误。分析被害人辨认错误的成因，进一步完善辨认规则，健全辨认程序，有助于提高被害人辨认的准确性和可信性，防范错误辨认，保护被害人权利。     

预防侦查错误视角下公安刑事鉴定制度的反思与完善

刑事鉴定对于公安机关侦查破案发挥着日趋重要的作用,公安机关在侦查线索的寻找、侦查方向的确定乃至侦查终结的定案证据等方面都极为依赖刑事鉴定.然而,因公安刑事鉴定制度本身存在某些缺陷而容易产生诸多鉴定问题,进而导致侦查错误的发生,以致酿成了一系列刑事冤案.完善现行的公安刑事鉴定制度首先亟需解决公安机关内设鉴定机构的组织管理制度问题,即应确保内设鉴定机构的相对独立,同时应明确对刑事鉴定技术的采用标准.诚然,完善公安刑事鉴定制度并不能完全杜绝侦查错误的发生,但是可以减少侦查错误发生的概率.     

刑事司法错误与司法惯性——试论惯性在司法中的消极作用

受传统观念和环境因素的共同影响,司法人员的思维过程和行为方式表现出遵循原有办案思路和排斥先进司法理念的态势。在当前的司法实践中,司法惯性已成为导致刑事司法错误的根本原因。司法惯性主要源于司法人员的思维定势和司法机关相互制约机制的弱化,为确保司法程序的正当性,必须克服司法惯性对刑事司法的消极影响。     

美国刑事诉讼中的无害错误规则及其启示

在美国刑事诉讼中,原审法院的错误可以被分为两类:宪法性错误与制定法错误.对所有的制定法错误以及部分宪法性错误,审查法院可以适用无害错误规则进行审查与处理,从而在认定错误无害时,维持原审判决.在直接上诉程序中,对宪法性错误与制定法错误进行审查的标准,分别是Chapman标准与Kotteakos标准.对人身保护令程序中的审查标准,美国联邦法院目前尚没有形成共识.美国法院通过适用无害错误规则,更加强调探求刑事案件的事实真相,更为重视案件的实体正义.我国应当借鉴美国的经验,在刑事诉讼法中明确确立无害错误规则.