Fingerprint error rate on close non‐matches

The accuracy of fingerprint identifications is critically important to the administration of criminal justice. Accuracy is challenging when two prints from different sources have many common features and few dissimilar features. Such print pairs, known as close non‐matches (CNMs), are increasingly likely to arise as ever‐growing databases are searched with greater frequency. In this study, 125 fingerprint agencies completed a mandatory proficiency test that included two pairs of CNMs. The false‐positive error rates on the two CNMs were 15.9% (17 out of 107, 95% C.I.: 9.5%, 24.2%) and 28.1% (27 out of 96, 95% C.I.: 19.4%, 38.2%), respectively. These CNM error rates are (a) inconsistent with the popular notion that fingerprint evidence is nearly infallible, and (b) larger than error rates reported in leading fingerprint studies. We conclude that, when the risk of CNMs is high, the probative value of a reported fingerprint identification may be severely diminished due to an elevated false‐positive error risk. We call for additional CNM research, including a replication and expansion of the present study using a representative selection of CNMs from database searches.     

Police officers’ perceptions of false allegations of rape

Abstract

The idea that women lie about rape is a long standing rape myth with little or no supporting evidence. Previous research has demonstrated a belief in high levels of false allegations among police officers, despite no evidence to suggest rape is falsely reported more than other crimes. This has implications for complainants’ willingness to report sexual violations, for the treatment of complainants within the justice system, and wider societal understandings about what constitutes rape. The data that informs this paper comes from an Economic and Social Research Council-funded study that focussed on rape attrition and the institutional response to rape. Forty in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with serving police officers in a UK force who regularly deal with reported cases of rape, and explored perceptions, practices and processes around rape. The research found police officers’ estimate of false allegations varies widely from 5 to 90%. The paper will discuss how police officers make judgements about perceived veracity of complainants in rape cases. This will demonstrate that whilst significant progress has been made in how police officers and police forces respond to rape, gender stereotypes about women as deceitful, vengeful and ultimately regretful of sexual encounters, continue to pervade the thinking of some officers. It will show that police officers differentiate between ‘types’ of reports they consider to be false, and operate with a notional ‘hierarchy’ of presumed false allegations that ranges from vengeful/malicious to mistaken/confused, with a corresponding reducing level of culpability attributed to women for the supposedly false allegation. It concludes that this serves to reinforce a culture that both supports and reproduces gender inequality and its manifestation in the form of sexual violence, and that intervention, training and institutional and policy frameworks are not wholly successful in addressing sexual violence in this context.     

论自认效力否认之依据-基于“诚＂与“信”的法理展开

自认制度既是民事诉讼辩论原则的内在要求，也是当事人行使处分权的外在表现。自认对于争议之两造以及法院均产生约束力。自认免除了对方当事人对相关事实的证明责任；法院应将自认之事实作为判决的基础；而自认一方当事人应言而有信，不得撤回自认。否认自认效力的依据在于当事人对案件事实的承认严重背离了诚信原则的真实要求。自认效力的否认包括家事诉讼中对超越辩论主义和处分主义支配范围事实的承认、虚假诉讼中对以侵犯他人利益为目的的虚假事实的承认以及对违反众所周知事实的承认三种情形。自认效力的承认与否认型构了自认制度的基本框架，并共同承担向社会倡导诚实守信的良好行为风尚的功能。     

中国警察权益救济构筑探析

近年来,警察权益受侵害情况越来越严重,这对公安机关的正常运转带来巨大考验。公安机关应端正侵害警察权益案件的应对措施,在法律、管理、制度等方面维护公安民警的合法权益,明晰警察行为准则,完善警察权益救济措施,从而保障警察权益不受损害,提升警察执法自信。     

论意思表示瑕疵与善意取得规定之关系

在通谋虚伪表示及被欺诈之情形,民法关于＂不得对抗善意第三人＂之规定与善意取得制度应可并存。而于胁迫之情形,＂撤销得对抗善意第三人＂应优先于善意取得而适用,盖惟如此方可践行私法自治之原则。在意思表示错误之情形,不发生意思表示瑕疵与善意取得之关系问题,善意第三人可径直依善意取得而主张其权利。第三人若知悉其前手交易之可撤销性,其非但不得主张＂撤销不得对抗善意第三人＂,亦不得主张依善意取得而受保护。     

A Rapid and Efficient Method for Evaluation of Suspect Testimony: Palynological Scanning

A rapid method for evaluating suspect testimony is valuable at any stage in an inquiry and can result in a change of direction in an investigation. Rape cases, in particular, can present problems where a defendant renders DNA analysis redundant by claiming that the claimant consented to have sexual relations. Forensic palynology is valuable in confirming or eliminating locations as being crime scenes, thus checking the testimony of both parties. In contrast to some forensic disciplines, forensic palynology can provide critical information without time-consuming full analysis. Two cases are described where the palynological assemblages from comparator samples of pertinent places were compared with those obtained from clothing of claimants and defendants. The results of rapid microscopical scanning of relevant preparations led to early confessions, thus obviating the need for costly analyses and protracted court proceedings. A third case demonstrates the unbiased nature of this technique where a man, although innocent of any offense, lied about having visited the crime scene for fear of prosecution. This highlights the need for sensitive policing in claims of rape.     

我国虚假诉讼受害人救济方式的类型化分析

虚假诉讼问题涉及第三人撤销之诉、执行异议之诉、再审制度等复杂问题。现有研究没有脱离微观的具体概念、制度规定,较少从更为宏观的视角进行探究。本文试图引入新的研究思路,从虚假诉讼受害人救济方式出发,用时间标准进行梳理,区分“法院是否赋予第三人参与诉讼机会”和“第三人是否实际参加诉讼”来进行类型化研究,探究我国民事诉讼法中对于虚假诉讼受害人的救济缺陷,寻求完善策略。     

十告九诬：清代诬告盛行之原因剖析

清代诉讼的一个重要特点是诬告现象的普遍,有"无谎不成状"之说。究其原因,可以理解为在清代特定的司法结构之下,百姓的策略行为与官员策略行为的互动导致了清代诬告现象的泛滥,因之也成为清代司法的"顽疾"。就百姓而言,面对官府的"抓大放小"式的司法管理,选择诬告这一策略行为作为回应,以使案件得到官府的受理和重视。就官府而言,诬告犯罪本应是严厉惩治的行为,却因官员规避审判责任的策略行为而被轻纵,这使得百姓诬告的风险降低,从而鼓励了诬告行为的发生。     

虚假诉讼的模型化识别及防范治理——基于诉讼结构的视角

民事诉讼领域里虚假诉讼所涉及的诉讼结构主体,包括原被告、审判方以及关联方:监督方、律师、受害第三者。虚假诉讼原告的直接目的是取得法院生效的民事判决或调解书,最终目的是为自己谋取不正当的利益;虚假诉讼标的基本表现为财产权纠纷;虚假诉讼缺乏真实意义上的诉讼理由。虚假诉讼内涵的七大识别点,显露于构筑其模型的各要素及其相互关系中。防范与治理虚假诉讼,要通过立法与制度,规范诉讼主体、审判方和律师,加强检察机关对虚假诉讼的监督,健全对受害第三者的救济。     

浅议两汉时期的矫制（诏）现象

两汉时期,矫制(诏)现象频发,时代思潮、士大夫们昂扬的进取精神以及矫制(诏)无害法律制度是其成因。其中,矫制(诏)无害法律制度孕育于频发的矫制(诏)政治法律实践,并且成为矫制(诏)频发的制度保障。这个法律制度对汉以后中国传统法律制度的发展产生了深远的影响。