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.     

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.     

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。     

公司对外担保效力的实务解读

《担保法解释》暗含禁止公司为股东与个人债务提供担保之意。在中福实业公司担保案中最高人民法院的思路是:股东会决议通过的公司为公司股东债务提供担保有效。在幸福实业担保案中最高人民法院的立场是:公司股东会决议通过的公司为公司股东债务提供担保也一律无效。最高人民法院在公司对外担保效力问题的立场有些含混。     

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。     

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。     

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。     

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。     

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.