Significance of tooth anomalies in personal identification

Described in the paper are the study results of the stomatological status of 385 cadavers, in whom the frequency rate of anomalies of separate teeth and of their varieties were evaluated as applicable to the personality identification tasks.     

A possibility for identification of the knife's edge in stab wounds (author's transl)

It is known from forensic-medical practice that the wound track of stab wounds reflects the form and dimensions of the knife's edge, when there are no supplementary cuts. If the wound channel passes through compact organs (liver, kidney, spleen, etc) it can be exposed for direct observation by removing one of its sides which allows observation of the approximate form and dimensions of the knife's edge. It enables eliminatione of those weapons which do not fit. A case of homicide is described with 9 stab wounds, one of which penetrating the liver, where the above described method was successfully used. A case of an adult man's murder is described with 9 puncture wounds, one of which penetrating the liver, where the above described method was successfully used. A case of an adult man's murder is described with 9 puncture wounds, one of which penetrating the liver, where the above described method has been successfully applied.     

The ideal subject distance for passport pictures

In an age of global combat against terrorism, the recognition and identification of people on document images is of increasing significance. Experiments and calculations have shown that the camera-to-subject distance - not the focal length of the lens - can have a significant effect on facial proportions. Modern passport pictures should be able to function as a reference image for automatic and manual picture comparisons. This requires a defined subject distance. It is completely unclear which subject distance, in the taking of passport photographs, is ideal for the recognition of the actual person. We show here that the camera-to-subject distance that is perceived as ideal is dependent on the face being photographed, even if the distance of 2m was most frequently preferred. So far the problem of the ideal camera-to-subject distance for faces has only been approached through technical calculations. We have, for the first time, answered this question experimentally with a double-blind experiment. Even if there is apparently no ideal camera-to-subject distance valid for every face, 2m can be proposed as ideal for the taking of passport pictures. The first step would actually be the determination of a camera-to-subject distance for the taking of passport pictures within the standards. From an anthropological point of view it would be interesting to find out which facial features allow the preference of a shorter camera-to-subject distance and which allow the preference of a longer camera-to-subject distance.     

仵作错位传承的研究——官衙中的仵作

中国封建社会的官衙机构是一个非常庞杂的系统.在这个系统最底层、也最为庞大的“胥役”中的“仵作”与各“衙役”同班当差,但因其接触尸体的特殊性其地位更低下,被认为是贱役中的“贱役”.自先秦至清末,官衙中的“仵作”一直扮演着一个看似重要,但实际上却被世人鄙夷的角色.“仵作”远没有因为宋慈的盛名而带来的荣光.     

The identification of a victim using the DGGE method for trace deposits collected on adhesive film

The denaturant gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method was used in order to simultaneously estimate the genotypes of different factors in a gel plate consisting of one sheet. A genotype analysis of the blood groups (MN, Duffy, Kidd type) and serotype (Gc system) was carried out. DNA samples were extracted from trace deposits which were transferred on adhesive film from a blood trace obtained from a car tire after a fatal car accident. The reference DNA was prepared from the victim's blood. The PCR amplification fragments were amplified from the gene which controlled each blood group. The primers were designed in order to analyze the genotypes with one to three base substitutions in the amplification product. The denaturant concentration limit of the gel for the DGGE method to detect each genotype of the blood groups (MN, Duffy, Kidd type and Gc system) and other conditions of electrophoresis were performed according to previously methods.The each genotype of the blood groups and the Gc system were all simultaneously distinguished in one plate.     

仵作错位传承的研究——官衙中的仵作

中国封建社会的官衙机构是一个非常庞杂的系统。在这个系统最底层、也最为庞大的“胥役”中的“仵作”与各“衙役”同班当差,但因其接触尸体的特殊性其地位更低下,被认为是贱役中的“贱役”。自先秦至清末,官衙中的“仵作”一直扮演着一个看似重要,但实际上却被世人鄙夷的角色。“仵作”远没有因为宋慈的盛名而带来的荣光。     

The identification of stolen paintings using comparison of various marks

Several oil paintings, suspected of being stolen, were found in the possession of an art dealer in Tel-Aviv, Israel. The authors were asked to determine if these paintings were the stolen ones, based on photographs, stretchers, and frames submitted by the alleged owners in France. A physical match was found between two of the questioned paintings and two stretchers. Another painting was identified as being previously affixed to the original frame by several nails. The fourth painting was identified as being the one photographed by the alleged owner. This identification was done by comparing micro-topography marks revealed by the illumination conditions of that photograph and of the questioned painting.     

Trial for the geographical identification using JC viral genotyping in Japan

Despite progress in methods of scientific investigation, the increasing number of unidentified cadavers is a growing problem world-wide. We performed detailed statistical analysis based on reported data for Japanese JC virus (JCV) genotype distribution, and obtained two curves showing a marked north-south difference in the JC viral genotype, in spite of the frequent movement of people in Japan. This suggested the possibility of determining the origin of unidentified cadavers numerically, thus making the police investigation of unidentified cadavers much more economical and efficient. If the distribution of JC viral genotypes could be investigated in detail, it would be possible to obtain geographic information about unidentified cadavers even in a certain area.     

被害人独立诉讼主体地位的回归

原始的刑事自诉模式下,被害人为刑事诉讼的主体之一。但在漫长的中世纪,被害人陷入证人的境地,国家成为唯一的诉讼主体。当代,虽然被害人普遍地被当作刑事诉讼的当事人,但是并不具有独立的诉讼主体地位,所以传统的刑事诉讼结构一直没有被害人的一席之地。现代刑事诉讼制度应当恢复刑事被害人的诉讼主体地位,并设计相应的制度充分保障刑事被害人诉讼主体地位的实现。     

The accuracy of sex identification in European skeletal remains using the phenice characters

Three documented European skeletal series were examined to assess the accuracy and reliability of the pubic variables described by Phenice for correctly identifying the sex of adult human skeletal remains. The accuracy and objectivity of these variables, as reported by Phenice, Kelley, Sutherland and Suchey, and Lovell, could not be confirmed on this European material. In general, the subpubic concavity feature, when used alone, proved to be the most reliable variable for sex identification. In this study, the level of correct sex identification that could be achieved using the Phenice variables was shown to be significantly affected by the previous experience of the observer.     

A complex method for determining age by tooth status using analog computers]

Combination of roentgenography with direct image magnification and its analysis by medical iconics methods increase significantly possibility of age determination by teeth status (prediction accuracy by upper canine tooth is 99.8% +/- 0.81 year). Adaptive character of change in teeth density over the period of their functioning was detected. Integrative metric index--age metric index--is an objective criterion of age status of a tooth.     

Levinas and the possibility of justice

I consider the question of whether critical legal theory can amount to more than an obstructive exercise and point to an alternative approach to the problem of institutional justice. I am not trying to redeem critical legal theory neither do I attempt to exonerate it from the charge of obstruction or as Drucilla Cornell terms it, negative dialectics. However, I share to some lesser degree the concern that it ought to be possible to offer more than the exposure of camouflaged injustice. By camouflaged I mean that branch of jurisprudence, positivist in outlook and tonality that maintains and defends the violation of the other as an integral and necessary aspect of law and further argues that as such it is entirely ethical. I examine a number of different perspectives to this seemingly impossible challenge. Borrowing from and adapting their theses I then go on to suggest my own solution for applying alterity to juridical encounters with the Other.Dr. Amanda Loumansky is a Sessional Lecturer at the Faculty of Continuing Education, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK     

Criminal culpability: The possibility of a general theory

In this article, I try to do two things. First I analyse critically the suggestion that the principles of criminal culpability can be explained by reference to a single, all-encompassing concept, such as “defiance of the law”. I then go on to explain the foundations of criminal culpability by reference to three interlocking theories — the capacity theory, the character theory, and the agency theory. I conclude that even these three theories may not be sufficient to explain the complex structure of culpability, which is shaped as much by shared cultural understanding as by moral theory.