Prediction and preliminary standardization of fire debris constituents with the advanced distillation curve method

The recent National Academy of Sciences report on forensic sciences states that the study of fire patterns and debris in arson fires is in need of additional work and eventual standardization. We discuss a recently introduced method that can provide predicted evaporation patterns for ignitable liquids as a function of temperature. The method is a complex fluid analysis protocol, the advanced distillation curve approach, featuring a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for qualitative, quantitative, and trace analysis), low uncertainty temperature measurements that are thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation of state, consistency with a century of historical data, and an assessment of the energy content of each distillate fraction. We discuss the application of the method to kerosenes and gasolines and outline how expansion of the scope of fluids to other ignitable liquids can benefit the criminalist in the analysis of fire debris for arson.     

The evaluation of the extent of transporting or "tracking" an identifiable ignitable liquid (gasoline) throughout fire scenes during the investigative process

Tests have determined that boots or shoes of individuals at a fire scene do not transport sufficient contaminants ("tracking") through the fire scene to produce a positive laboratory result for the presence of gasoline in a fire scene that was not present at the time of the fire. Questions about the validity of forensic laboratory results have been raised on the basis that low-level gasoline residues detected in the laboratory samples could have been the result of transporting the residue by footwear contaminated from the fire scene ("tracking"). The data collected in this study establish that "tracking" does not lead to false-positive laboratory results. Canines trained and experienced in the detection of trace ignitable liquid residues were also utilized in this study. The canine results confirmed that properly trained canines show a higher sensitivity than do standard ASTM laboratory techniques for fire debris analysis. In a few cases, canines responded to contamination, but laboratory testing (which is the definitive indicator) did not produce positive results.     

数字图像技术辅助二次短路熔痕金相组织定量分析研究

以电气火灾二次短路熔痕显微组织为例，利用显微图像各组元的灰度特性，运用数字图像技术中的图像滤波、图像分割、轮廓提取方法对显微组织图像进行预处理，获取图像晶格和孔洞。结合体视学方法．对显微组织晶格粒径、孔洞大小等几何特征参数进行计算分析与测量，探讨数字图像技术辅助二次短路熔痕金相组织进行定量分析技术方法。     

古生物化石及地质遗迹的刑法保护研究

古生物化石与地质遗迹保护对于可持续发展具有重要意义。但是目前我国保护古生物化石与地质遗迹的法律存在严重缺陷,不能有效地打击侵害古生物化石与地质遗迹的违法犯罪行为。应该完善保护古生物化石及地质遗迹的刑事立法,切实保护古生物化石与地质遗迹。     

ATD—GC—MS法测定火场样品中痕量汽油燃烧残留物

目的为火场样品中痕量汽油残留物的检测建立一种简便、高灵敏度的检验方法和可靠的检验结果评判方法。方法用TenaxTA吸附管吸附富集火场样品中的汽油成分,然后用ATD—GC—MS法自动解吸和检测。通过模拟燃烧实验,探讨了检验结果的评判方法：根据样品的m／z（57＋85）、m/z（91＋105＋119）、m／z（117＋131）和m/z（128＋142＋156）四个质量色谱图与已知汽油作比较来对检验结果作评判。结果6组模拟燃烧实验中凡有汽油作助燃剂的样品．均检出汽油残留物成分。结论所建立的方法具有操作简便,检测灵敏度高,杂质干扰少,定性结论准确可靠等特点。可用于实际火场样品中痕量汽油残留物的检测。     

注册防火工程师执业与管理的构想与展望

文章假设我国已建立注册防火工程师制度,那么消防机构将已进行性能化建筑防火设计与评估的工程实行备案制度,不进行具体的建筑防火审查。注册防火工程师执业的机构形式有两种:大型设计院、研究所、高校所属的性能化防火设计研究所和社会性的火灾安全咨询服务公司。公安部消防局是注册防火工程师执业机构的主管部门,并对其进行行业与技术管理,如人员组成、软件设备、注册资金及收费标准、人员培训与业务指导以及建筑设计修改等。     

胎儿地位的法哲学思考——以权利之概念分析为基础

胎儿地位问题是自罗马法以来倍受法学界关注的重要课题之一。对这一问题的探讨,必须以权利之概念分析作为基础。坚持“活着出生规则”为前提,采取概括保护与个别保护相结合的立法策略,应该作为我国民法保护胎儿利益的明智选择。     

Work-place homicide by bow and arrow

Arrow wounds represent an unusual class of wounds rarely seen by most forensic pathologists. In this paper we present a case of homicide by bow and arrow and the characteristics of such injuries. The essential characteristics of the lesions obtained from conically-tapered field points and from hunting broadhead tips are described and discussed in relation to injuries caused by firearm bullets. In the present case, three arrows struck the victim, and the order in which the injuries were sustained are analyzed. We also discuss the possibilities of localizing the shooter relative to the victim by analysis of the trajectories.     

A method for forensic gasoline comparison in fire debris samples: A numerical likelihood ratio system

In many arson cases gasoline is used as a means to start the fire. In this paper results are presented for a likelihood-ratio (LR) system aimed at comparing gasoline traces from fire debris to a reference gasoline. The LR-system is able to deal with disturbing effects caused by burning and exposure to surroundings: pyrolysis products, preferential adsorption and evaporation. This paper focusses on the criminalistic and statistical aspects of the design of the LR-system, and presents results on performance of the LR-system. The details of trace gasoline recovery from fire debris will be presented in an accompanying paper.Validation and performance measures show that this system gives well-calibrated LRs for comparisons involving trace samples with a spread in quantity of gasoline, evaporation levels, and matrices that are typically encountered in casework. Rates of misleading evidence are less than 3.5%.We conclude that, despite limitations in experimental design, this LR-system can be useful to the comparison of gasoline profiles in casework practice.     

Trajectory reconstructions. I: Trace evidence in flight

This paper reviews the use of trace evidence recovered from spent bullets in helping to establish trajectories. The use of information derived from such trace evidence combined with that from geometrical techniques of trajectory reconstruction and other data is discussed. Five cases are reviewed in which the analysis of trace evidential materials adhering to bullets was used to help reconstruct the event.     

Where the wild things are: animal victimization in federal environmental crime cases

Although there has been a marked increase in studies of animal abuse from a variety of socio-legal and green criminological perspectives in the past two decades, we have a limited empirical understanding of the extent of animal victimization in environmental crime prosecutions in the United States. In order to better understand the nature and distribution of animal victimization in environmental crime prosecutions, we employ a content analysis of federal environmental crime cases, 2001–2011. Out of 972 cases, results show identifiable animal victimization plays a role in six percent of cases. Although animal victimization in environmental crime may be extensive, its role in environmental prosecutions appears secondary. We conclude with possibilities of expanding animal protection via wildlife and environmental law connections.     

火灾发生起数的区间估计和假设检验

在分析火灾发生概率规律性的基础上,可在一定的置信水平上,对火灾发生的起数进行区间估计和假设检验。通过区间估计将未来的火灾形势预测为一个置信区间,通过假设检验可排除随机干扰,确定火灾发生起数的变化规律,这些信息都能为消防规划的制定提供科学的数量依据。     

铜导线一次和二次短路熔痕的显微共聚焦激光拉曼光谱特征研究

目的 为了判定火灾发生的原因,依据激光拉曼光谱(RMS)能够反映出经过不同高温热处理炭材料的石墨化程度,以此来探索电气短路判定的技术依据.方法 利用显微共聚焦激光拉曼光谱仪对火灾中不同环境下生成的铜导线短路熔痕表面碳痕斑进行检测分析,利用碳痕斑两个拉曼特征位移峰的比值,计算不同短路熔痕表面碳化斑的石墨化度.结果 铜导线的一次短路、二次短路和火烧熔痕上残留碳斑石墨化度不同,一次短路熔珠碳痕的石墨化度R值最小,火烧熔痕的石墨化度R值最大.结论 该研究建立了显微激光拉曼光谱法无损检测分析铜导线短路熔痕的新方法.     

Review of analytical techniques for arson residues

Arson is a serious crime that affects society through cost, property damage, and loss of life. It is important that the methods and technologies applied by fire investigators in detection of evidence and subsequent analyses have a high degree of reliability, sensitivity, and be subject to rigorous quality control and assurance. There have been considerable advances in the field of arson investigation since the 1950s. Classification of ignitable liquids has been updated to include many new categories due to developments in the petroleum industry. Techniques such as steam or vacuum distillation and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization detection that may have been considered acceptable--even a benchmark--40 years ago, are nowadays generally disfavored, to the extent that their implementation may almost be considered as ignorance in the field. The advent of readily available mass spectrometric techniques has revolutionized the field of fire debris analysis, increasing the degree of sensitivity and discrimination possible considerably. Multi-dimensional GC--particularly GC x GC--while not yet widely applied, is rapidly gaining recognition as an important technique. This comprehensive review focuses on techniques and practices used in fire investigation, from scene investigation to analysis.     

犯罪心理画像论

犯罪心理画像是在研究罪案统计资料的基础上,运用心理学原理和技术,透视案件痕迹物证中的心理痕迹和心理现场,在重建犯罪过程中分析未知案犯的形象和行为、动机、心理过程、心理特征群等,从而确定作案人范围的侦查技术。考察犯罪心理画像研究的历史与现状。心理画像的实质是心理现场的重构,其逻辑线索是一种侦查推理,是关于作案人情况的假说。其归纳式心理画像和演绎式心理画像可结合起来,用其长处,避其短处。在借鉴现场分析、心理侦查、行为证据分析、地理画像等方法的基础上,我国应建立犯罪行为人性状和特征的数据库,完善相应的指标体系,以提高心理画像技术的科学性。     

The use of vapour phase ultra-violet spectroscopy for the analysis of arson accelerants in fire scene debris.

A method has been developed for the analysis of arson accelerants in fire scene debris by vapour phase ultra-violet (UV) spectroscopy. The method is rapid, inexpensive, simple to use and is sufficiently sensitive and discriminating to be of use for the analysis of crime scene samples. Application to casework samples is described. On occasion, the method offers additional information to that which can be obtained by gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and represents a useful adjunct to these techniques. In addition, the method offers advantages where the use of GC-MS analysis of arson accelerants in fire scene debris is not a practical proposition.     

环境权与宪法--从人权保障的观点谈环境权的宪法意涵

试图以宪法学上的基本理论,尤其是有关人权保障的理论为基础,尝试探讨与厘清环境保护与人权保障之间的关系.在内容上首先从宪法释义学的角度,分析环境保护与人权保障体系之间的关系;其次尝试阐明"环境基本权"的意义与可能内涵,为环境与人权的连结提供思考的方向.再者,从国际人权的发展,论述国际人权与环境保护之间的关连性.     

Forensic limbo: Towards subverting hard disk firmware bootkits

We discuss the problem posed by malicious hard disk firmware towards forensic data acquisition. To this end, we analyzed the Western Digital WD3200AAKX model series (16 different drives) in depth and outline methods for detection and subversion of current state of the art bootkits possibly located in these particular hard disks' EEPROMs. We further extend our analysis to a total of 23 different hard drive models (16 HDDs and 7 SSDs) from 10 different vendors and provide a theoretical discussion on how hard disk rootkits residing in the firmware overlays and/or modules stored in the special storage area on a HDD called the Service Area could be detected. To this end, we outline the various debug interfacing possibilities of the various hard disk drives and how they can be used to perform a live analysis of the hard disk controller, such as dumping its memory over JTAG or UART, or how to access the Service Area via vendor specific commands over SATA.     

Biotechnological invention patents: a legal-economic analysis]

Not without controversy, patents have traditionally been considered as elements which stimulate and protect inventive activity. In this article, we look at the economic advantages of a patent system and also at the possible critcisms. We then examine the application of patents in modern biotechnology. After concluding that current intellectual property laws do not come out clearly against the protection of biotechnology inventions, we then review the proposals for European Union regulation in the form of a directive which would clarify patenting possibilities.     

Observing Environmental Destruction Stimulates Neural Activation in Networks Associated with Empathic Responses

The negative impacts of environmental disruption disproportionately affect marginalized and underprivileged communities; thus, the degree to which society is complicit in allowing unchecked environmental destruction to occur has important social justice applications. Although decades of research have sought to understand factors which determine acceptance of environmental destruction, most of this research has been based on self-report surveys. In the present work, we used neuroimaging techniques to examine the neural correlates of environmental concern. To do this, we compared responses to observing suffering dogs with responses to observing suffering ecosystems. Our results extend previous findings which had shown largely overlapping neural response patterns to observing animal and human suffering. Critically, we found activation in regions previously identified as active in empathy processes in response to viewing harm to ecosystems (i.e., without any animals present in the images). We also found relative differences in response patterns between the two types of stimuli: witnessing harm to environments (vs. dog suffering) led to reduced activation in some regions, but similar activation in others. We discuss these findings in terms of their potential implications for behavioral interventions and possibilities for continued neuroimaging research examining neural responses to environmental ecosystems and other nonhuman entities.