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.     

Effect of Wind on Horizontal Displacement of Fatal Fall from a Height

The horizontal displacement of the human body resulting from fatal fall from a height is an important variable commonly used to inversely determine the cause or identify other forensic aspects of the fall. When examining the horizontal displacement, the wind effect is generally ignored. This technical note reports analytical modeling of the falling process, utilizing previous measurements of wind force acting on the human body, for determining the functional relationship between the wind speed and the horizontal displacement in the falling process. The result reveals that it does not take extremely rare wind conditions to cause a considerable shift of the human body, highlighting the importance to consider wind as a factor in investigations of fatal falls.     

Applying Moral Foundations Theory to the Explanation of Capital Jurors’ Sentencing Decisions

Abstract

This study applies moral foundations theory to capital juror decision making. We hypothesized that binding moral foundations would predict death qualification and punitive sentencing decisions, whereas individualizing moral foundations would be associated with juror disqualification and a leniency effect. Additionally, we considered whether moral foundations can explain differences in death penalty application between conservatives and liberals. Respondents from two independent samples participated in a mock-juror task in which the circumstances of a hypothetical defendant’s case varied. Results revealed moral foundations were strong predictors of death qualification. The binding and individualizing foundations were related to sentencing decisions in the expected ways. Supporting our contention that moral foundations operate differently across different types of cases, heterogeneity in the effects of moral foundations was observed. Finally, we found support for the hypothesis that the relationship between sentencing decisions and conservatism would be attenuated by moral foundations.     

大鼠急性心肌缺血早期内皮素的免疫组化染色观察

目的　探讨实验性大鼠心肌缺血后内皮素在心肌组织内的表达变化。方法　运用免疫组化技术 (SABC法 ) ,对分别经过单纯缝线结扎、药物、脂质饮食预处理后结扎及假结扎处理的 5组 60只实验大鼠 ,在冠脉左前降支结扎后的不同时间点 ,观察心肌组织的内皮素表达情况。结果　阳性组各个分组的大鼠在心肌缺血早期均出现了内皮素的阳性表达 ,且经过预处理、存在慢性心肌缺血倾向的大鼠在更短的时间内出现了阳性染色 ;而假结扎对照组未见明显的阳性染色。结论　内皮素免疫组化检测可作为早期心肌缺血的病理诊断指标之一 ,并可为心性猝死 (SCD)的诊断提供形态学依据。     

人离体肝组织胺类产生与死亡时间和环境温度的关系

目的探讨在不同环境温度下,人离体肝组织中有机胺类产生量随死亡时间变化的规律,为某些碎尸案的死亡时间推断提供参考资料。方法应用高效液相色谱仪外标法,动态检测人离体肝组织中组胺、腐胺、尸胺和未腐败氨基酸含量。结果在8℃、15℃、23℃和32℃环境下,有机胺类产生量分别于人死后肝脏即刻离体69h、54h、40h和33h趋于最大值,并且在到达峰值之前,各温度组离体肝组织中有机胺类生成量均与死亡时间成正比关系。结论人离体肝组织中有机胺类产生量与死亡时间和环境温度在一定范围内均呈正相关。     

当代美国的死刑制度

美国最高法院在1972年曾经宣布暂停死刑执行,但是在1976年又恢复了死刑的执行,目前美国是唯一仍然保留并适用死刑的所谓西方文明国家。美国联邦系统和38个州的刑法都规定了死刑,可以适用死刑的罪行还比较多,但是罪名相对比较集中;死刑诉讼程序严格且复杂;相对于美国庞大的犯罪数字,尤其是暴力犯罪而言,其死刑判决和实际执行死刑数量仍属较低;美国死刑执行方式呈现为以注射方式为主多种执行方法并存的特点。美国死刑程序复杂但是死刑错判率仍然较高。     

Managing commercial risks in open source software licensing

Legal context: The article reviews the commercial risk allocation clauses intypical open source licence terms and discusses their enforceabilityand implications. Key points: The enforceability of warranty disclaimers and limitation ofliability clauses in common open source licence terms is questionable,particularly in a cross-border context, and commercial licensorsshould take additional steps to protect themselves from down-streamrisks. Practical significance: Open source software presents a number of unusual commercialissues, because it is available free of charge and the providerstry to disclaim warranties and liabilities. End users and resellershave to adjust their own in- and out-licensing models to accommodatethis situation.     

冠状动脉内弹力膜缺损与冠心病猝死的关系

目的探讨冠状动脉内弹力膜(IEL)病变与冠心病猝死(SCD)的关系。方法从本单位近5年尸检案例中挑选60例病例和心脏标本,分为SCD组、对照组A和B组。每例分别在冠状动脉左前降支近段取材,常规制片,HE和双重组合特殊染色,显微镜下观察冠状动脉IEL,并用图像分析技术对特殊染色的IEL进行形态定量分析。结果60例中,SCD组(男性24例,女性6例,年龄30~83岁)的冠状动脉IEL缺失明显(缺失率=41.64%),未缺失的IEL失去原有弯曲度而变平直;对照组A(冠心病非猝死者,男性13例、女性2例,年龄41~80岁)的冠状动脉IEL缺失程度较SCD组稍轻(缺失率=30.53%);对照组B(无冠心病的其他死者,男性8例,女性7例,年龄17~54岁)的冠状动脉IEL仅有轻度缺失(缺失率=15.67%),多保持原有波浪状结构。统计学分析显示,SCD组与对照组、SCD组与对照组B、对照组A与对照组B之间IEL缺损率的差异均具有极显著性意义;SCD组与对照组A在IEL缺损率上的差异有显著性意义。结论SCD与其冠状动脉IEL缺损率的大小密切相关。     

安乐死"合法性"的法理分析

安乐死“合法性”研究应是“合法化”研究的前导。否则后者很可能陷入盲目。从逻辑上说,“安乐死合法性”具有三种可能内涵:安乐死不违法;依法律施行安乐死;安乐死是一种权利。分析表明,第一种和第三种安乐死合法性尚不能被现代法权系统承认。各国安乐死立法主要体现了第二种安乐死合法性。第一种安乐死合法性容易被遗忘和忽视;第二种安乐死合法性目前遭到了广泛的误解;第三种安乐死合法性则是误解的产物并且超出了法律的维度。     

理性呼唤与死刑适用

思考世界死刑命运,反观我国关于死刑的司法实践和传统理念,严格死刑的适用标准成为必要。同时,展望未来,为了适应国际人权法的要求和实现我国所承担的国际义务,应当从立法上限制死刑的适用。