DNA Recovery From Tape-Lifting Kits: Methodology and Practice

In the case of suspicious deaths, the technique of 1:1 taping is often used in Belgium. It consists of affixing a large number of adhesive tapes to the body of the victim. It is conventionally aimed at obtaining microtraces (e.g., fibers, hair) and is usually not used for DNA analysis. However, in some cases, DNA analysis of certain areas of interest identified on the 1:1 taping material can offer a last resort solution. The four-step method that is described in this article involves the selection of areas of interest on the body (Step 1), the selection of the corresponding tapes (Step 2), the decontamination of the tapes (Step 3), the selection of areas of interest on the tapes, for DNA sampling (Step 4). The method is illustrated by its successful application in four murder cases. In each case, DNA profiles of good quality could be identified, including profiles of persons different from the victim.     

A LOG‐MULTIPLICATIVE ASSOCIATION MODEL FOR ALLOCATING HOMICIDES WITH UNKNOWN VICTIM‐OFFENDER RELATIONSHIPS*

This research note critically evaluates conventional methods for allocating homicides with an unknown victim/offender relationship to meaningful categories, and it proposes an alternative approach. We argue that conventional methods are based on a problematic assumption, namely, that the missing data mechanism is “ignorable.” As an alternative to these methods, we propose an imputation algorithm derived from a log‐multiplicative model that does not require this assumption. We apply this technique to estimate levels of homicides disaggregated by victim/offender relationship using the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data for 1996 and 1997, and we compare the resulting estimates with those obtained from the application of conventional procedures. Our results yield a larger proportion of stranger homicides than are obtained from the conventional methods.     

论检察机关民事诉权所及的范围

基于检察监督理论和公益原则 ,检察机关应当具有一定的民事诉权。检察机关的民事诉权所及的范围应当包括 :违反亲属法并损害或危及社会公序良俗的行为 ;环境污染和产品责任等公害行为 ;垄断行为 ;侵害国有资产的行为。     

知识产权刑事司法鉴定若干问题研究

知识产权刑事案件中,司法鉴定尚存在很多亟待解决的问题,这些问题不仅阻碍了诉讼活动的顺利进行,有的也违背了司法鉴定的基本规律。从长远的角度来看,知识产权刑事诉讼,很多司法鉴定问题更宜转化为专家证人的形式加以解决。     

A SHORT COMMENTARY ON TIMOTHY M. TIPPINS AND JEFFREY P. WITTMANN'S "EMPIRICAL AND ETHICAL PROBLEMS WITH CUSTODY RECOMMENDATIONS

In this commentary, the call for clinical humility and judicial vigilance in custody recommendations is confirmed as valid and the Australian experience, where the child custody report writer has for some years been permitted to express an opinion on the ultimate issue, is considered. The inherent risks are briefly discussed, and the question of who of the judge and the social scientist might be better placed to decide the exquisitely difficult children's issues after family breakdown is touched upon. It suggests that a combination of the expert's opinion and judicial fact finding probably produces a result that is as good as it gets. But a greater danger is highlighted. It is the impact of the adversary system, and whether it is suitable in any event to these sensitive court decisions.     

Forced Migration Studies: Could We Agree Just to 'Date'?

This essay questions the soundness of a scholarly shift awayfrom ‘refugee studies’ in favour of ‘forcedmigration studies’. It contends, first, that subsumingrefugee studies into the broader framework of forced migrationstudies may result in a failure to take account of the specificityof the refugee's circumstances which are defined not just bymovement to avoid the risk of harm, but by underlying socialdisfranchisement coupled with the unqualified ability of theinternational community to respond to their needs. Second, itargues that forced ‘migration’ (rather than, forexample, forced ‘migrant’) studies encourages afocus on a phenomenon rather than on the personal predicaments,needs, challenges, and rights of refugees themselves. It maythus contribute to a lack of criticality in relation to policieswhich subordinate refugee autonomy to the pursuit of more systemicconcerns. The first concern is illustrated by reference to theemergence of the ‘internally displaced persons’category, the second by reference to the determination to findand mandate ‘durable solutions’ to forced migration,including to the movement of refugees.     

论并案侦查的推理形式

类比推理是根据两个或两个以上对象在某些属性上相似,推出这些对象在其他属性上相似,但不排斥类比推理根据两个或两个以上对象在某些属性上相同,推出这些对象在其他属性上相同。类比推理是一种独立的推理形式。在侦查中,决定并案侦查的推理形式是类比推理,不是归纳推理。并案类比推理可分为相似补缺类比推理和相似归并类比推理。     

当前涉及文检案件有关问题的思考

文件检验工作在当前众多的刑事案件和民事案件中越来越重要,当前文检案件有涉及经济类的数量多、金额大、作案手法多样等特点,在文检工作中存在鉴定内容不明确、人为因素干扰、经验误导等问题,应从加强基层办案人员的文件检验常识、改进文件检验案件的受理程序等方面来提高文检工作的效率。     

论对死亡犯罪嫌疑人、被告人非法所得的追缴

在我国现行的追缴死亡犯罪嫌疑人、被告人非法所得的程序中存在诸多不合理的因素.程序的不公开,对利害关系人程序参与权和程序救济权的剥夺,使得我国追缴死亡犯罪嫌疑人、被告人非法所得的程序缺失了基本的诉讼特征,而更具有行政性治罪活动的性质.为了解决这一问题,笔者主张在基本的诉讼格局中,以检察机关提起民事诉讼的方式追缴死亡犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的非法所得.在此基础上,笔者对这种民事追缴程序的诉讼流程进行了初步的设计.     

对我国海上保险法的思考与展望

本文综述了国际上对统一海上保险法的讨论、我国海事法院对海上保险的一些焦点问题的司法认识 ,和修改《海商法》第 12章的学术讨论成果