Forensic Application of Analytical Mechanics in Fatal Fall From a Height

Fatal fall from a height initiated with a swinging motion on the sagittal plane of the victim's body is examined. Method of analytical mechanics is adopted to establish the functional relations between the swinging angle of the body and the force needed to sustain the body until release, and the amount of the horizontal displacement that would occur after release. The analysis is applied to support an expert opinion presented in a criminal court in which two accused were convicted of murder for dropping a female victim from a bridge. The results indicate that it is unlikely for the body to locate as recorded by the police investigation report in the case. This study demonstrates that a straightforward mechanical analysis can be utilized to examine uncommon falling scenarios.     

MI Implementation in Juvenile Justice: A Case Report

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication style focused on enhancing clients’ own motivation towards change. In the justice system MI has evidence to support that it enhances communication and change behaviors in youth. As most MI training is designed for healthcare settings training and implementation of MI must be adapted to fit the juvenile justice model. This includes both rehabilitation and restorative justice. Here we describe the details that allowed one county small county in Pennsylvania to roll out MI training and initial skills review in less than 6 months. The case reviews the details of planning, trainings, and timing of activities. We then discuss what elements of those details fit into a greater implementation plan that may be applied elsewhere. Four key elements were instrumental to implementation: 1) appreciation of JPO time constraints, 2) cost containment 3) using blending to enhance JPO flexibility with MI use, and 4) policies that normalize use of MI. This outline may assist other courts in their own implementation efforts.     

An Examination of the Relationship Between Media Exposure and Fear of Victimization: Implications of the Superpredator Narrative on Juvenile Justice Policies

The media allow crime to infiltrate the public’s consciousness in every conceivable way, thereby playing a major role in shaping the public’s opinion and attitude toward crime and crime issues (Barak, 1995; Fields & Jerin, 1996; Kappeler & Potter, 2005). Reporters constantly talk about crime, and crime related stories dominate the headlines of local and national newspaper outlets (Dowler, 2003; Pizarro et al, 2007). Some of the most highly rated television programs are based on crime plots and people across social, political, and racial demographics are constantly engaged in crime dialogue generated from local or national news stories. When the focus of these mediums is on youth they become even more profound and contentious. The images portrayed conjure up stereotypes that lead to fear and inflammatory remarks that become entrenched into the national lexicon. The current study uses data from the National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice to test the relationship between crime-related media viewership and fear of victimization within a nationally representative adult sample. Approximately 42.67% of respondents reported regularly watching crime shows and about the same proportion (42.83%) believed their local media paid too much attention to violent crime. In addition to regular crime-show viewership, confidence in the police, gender, and recent contact with the police were associated with fear of victimization. This article adds to an existing body of research through a largely unexplored area in the administration of justice. It does so within the context of the U.S. juvenile justice system.     

美国智库对中国参与北极事务的认知及启示

美国智库对中国参与北极事务保持密切关注,并持续影响美国对华北极决策.以代表性的从事北极问题研究的美国智库作为研究对象,统计其有关中国参与北极事务的相关研究成果,梳理分析其观点倾向、研究重点、代表学者等内容,可以发现,上述智库有关中国参与北极事务研究的关注议题和研究人员呈现出多元化的发展趋势,相关研究成果具有一定的前瞻性,其研究观点和对策建议对美国北极决策产生了重要影响.     

试论基层党组织在建设和谐新农村中的作用

在建设社会主义新农村中,农村基层党组织要与时俱进加强自身建设,积极为和谐新农村建设服务,真正成为带领群众建设新农村的领导核心和战斗堡垒。     

论刑法适用中道德评价因素的考量

道德评价能否在刑法适用中予以考虑,是刑事司法中的难题。一方面,道德评价在刑事司法中的体现是普遍存在的实然现象;而另一方面,法治原则一般又要求道德评价不应介入司法领域,否则,依法司法的理念将受到冲击。从理论上来看,道德评价可以在刑法适用解释中予以考虑,与其让道德评价潜在地、非理性地影响刑法的解释与适用,不如理性地承认和接受道德评价因素,并对其规范、限制和合理运用。道德评价因素在刑法解释和适用中的考量既是法理的要求,也是刑法原则所许可的,那种绝对排斥道德评价的观点,看似符合法治原则,但实际上并不能成立。从社会学的视角判断,刑法适用中考量道德评价因素是社会和谐的需求,也是社会学解释方法的题中应有之义。当然,对道德评价的考量与运用,应当在法律方法论的范围内,并在对其认真甄别、选择的基础上进行。     

回顾与展望:"北京+10"新的起点--2005年中国妇女研究会年会暨"北京+10"论坛综述

8月29-31日,2005年中国妇女研究会年会暨“北京 10”论坛在北京举行。这次论坛是纪念第四次世界妇女大会十周年系列活动的重要部分,旨在纪念第四次世界妇女大会十周年,回顾近十年来我国在落实《北京行动纲领》、推动性别平等和妇女发展的过程中取得的成就和面临的挑战,研讨进一     

我国金融制度创新的难点及实践选择

金融制度创新可以被定义为"引入新的金融制度因素或对原金融制度进行重构".而基本经济制度、创新的成本与风险、金融资源的稀缺程度、金融技术进步态势等是制约金融制度创新的基本要素.我国过去20年实施的是一种强制性、渐进式的金融制度创新,因而导致其需求和供给一直处于一种非均衡状态.在我国,体现市场经济体制要求的新金融制度已成为经济社会中的"稀缺资源",所以在未来的金融制度创新进程中,至少应注意;明确金融制度创新的发展目标与思路;增强微观金融企业在金融制度创新中的地位和作用;正确处理金融监管与金融创新的关系;加强金融制度创新的理论研究等.     

“陈云同志在辽宁”展览开幕 李克强、常万全为其揭幕

为纪念陈云同志诞辰100周年“,沈阳特别市军事管制委员会旧址”暨“陈云同志在辽宁”展览揭幕仪式6月13日在沈阳举行。辽宁省委书记、省人大常委会主任李克强,沈阳军区司令员常万全为旧址和展览揭幕。仪式由省委副书记、沈阳市委书记张行湘主持。全国人大常委王怀远,省人大常委会副主任、党组书记张锡林,省委常委、组织部长骆琳,省委常委、省军区政委张德友,省委常委、宣传部长焦利,省委常委、秘书长曾维,副省长闫丰,省政协副主席董万德,老同志王光中、胡亦民、刘异云、尚文出席揭幕仪式。闻世震等参观了旧址和展览。揭幕仪式后,李克强等领…     

法律保留原则探析

法律保留滥觞于英国的《自由大宪章,》是法治国家的基本法律原则与制度。法律保留包括立法法律保留与行政法律保留。前者作用于立法领域,旨在划定议会立法权力与政府立法权力的界限;后者作用于行政领域,旨在规范行政权力的行使。前者的理论基础是议会民主原则与分权原则,后者的理论依据是法治主义。