The evaluation of evidence in the forensic investigation of fire incidents (Part I): an approach using Bayesian networks

The forensic investigation of the origin and cause of a fire incident is a particularly demanding area of expertise. As the available evidence is often incomplete or vague, uncertainty is a key element. The present study is an attempt to approach this through the use of Bayesian networks, which have been found useful in assisting human reasoning in a variety of disciplines in which uncertainty plays a central role. The present paper describes the construction of a Bayesian network (BN) and its use for drawing inferences about propositions of interest, based upon a single, possibly non replicable item of evidence: detected residual quantities of a flammable liquid in fire debris.     

The contribution of forensic science to crime analysis and investigation: forensic intelligence

The debate in forensic science concentrates on issues such as standardisation, accreditation and de-contextualisation, in a legal and economical context, in order to ensure the scientific objectivity and efficiency that must guide the process of collecting, analysing, interpreting and reporting forensic evidence. At the same time, it is recognised that forensic case data is still poorly integrated into the investigation and the crime analysis process, despite evidence of its great potential in various situations and studies. A change of attitude is needed in order to accept an extended role for forensic science that goes beyond the production of evidence for the court. To stimulate and guide this development, a long-term intensive modelling activity of the investigative and crime analysis process that crosses the boundaries of different disciplines has been initiated. A framework that fully integrates forensic case data shows through examples the capital accumulated that may be put to use systematically.     

152例火场尸体的法医学检验分析

目的 探讨火场尸体的法医学检验特点及其鉴定。方法 对86起火场中152例尸体的相关检验资料进行回顾性研究。结果 152例火场尸体,生前烧死109例,纵火焚尸38例,无明显高温作用的尸体5例。主要死因有“烧死综合征”100例,火场有毒气体中毒8例,机械性损伤32例(含高坠死4例),机械性窒息5例,电击、服毒各1例;不能确定死因5例。自杀5例,他杀40例,意外107例。在生前烧死尸体,87例呼吸道内有炭末沉着,71例皮肤局部烧伤边缘组织有红肿,46例检见水泡,17例有“闭眼反应”征象,大部分尸体血中HbCO浓度超过20％;纵火焚尸少见或不见上述改变。结论 检验火场尸体,根据烧死尸体征象和血中HbCO浓度检测,并结合火场勘验资料综合分析,其死因鉴定和死亡方式推断结论方能准确。     

AIDS and infection control in forensic investigation

Infection control in the workplace is becoming an increasingly important issue, not only for health care workers, but also for any workers who could potentially be exposed to infectious material. We discuss the nature, modes of transmission, and infectivity of important infectious agents likely to be encountered in the course of forensic investigations. We provide principles and guidelines for appropriate procedures and practices to be followed in a program of infection control.     

Molecular-genetic forensic expert investigations in the Russian Federation: problems and perspectives

Introduction of molecular-genetic technology into forensic-medical expert practice in Russia took place in unfavourable conditions of poor financial support and, consequently, the results appeared unsatisfactory. Organisation and functioning of genetic laboratories must be controlled and provided with an adequate system of training personnel and professional control. Application of molecular-genetic methods in forensic medicine meets the needs of expert practice if it is based on the systemic approach. The system is proposed to be headed by Russian Center for Forensic-Medical Expert Examination. This center is to update and control the activity of all institutions involved in forensic medical expert examination in Russia and conduct monitoring of the studies and training of specialists for the system.     

Ontogeny and dental genetics in forensic problems

Teeth are an excellent and reliable source of information useful in establishing identities in the absence of dental records providing that matching dental casts or teeth of other possibly related family members are available and that information on dental trait frequencies can be obtained. Such demographic data is generally available from physical or odontological anthropology departments in universities or museums. The data collected is subjected to statistical scrutiny and treatment of probability methodology.     

Application of Raman spectroscopy in forensic investigation of questioned documents involving stamp inks

Stamp pad inks from different manufacturers across India have been analyzed to investigate the feasibility of Raman scattering as a tool for forensic analysis of questioned documents involving stamp inks. Nine different stamping inks were analyzed by both Raman spectroscopic and HPTLC methods. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of these methods in classifying the investigated stamping inks based on their spectral pattern and HPTLC chromatogram. Raman scattering tool was able to determine the sequence of heterogeneous intersection strokes involving a blue stamp pad ink and other writing instruments, such as ballpoint pen ink (red and black), pencil and laser printer toner. However, this method was unable to resolve the exact sequencing for the intersection strokes involving investigated stamp ink and blue ballpoint ink or gel pen ink (all colors).     

PTSD及其法医学相关问题

随着国外对PTSD(posttraumatic stress disorder)的深入研究以及中国心理卫生事业与法医学事业的发展,相关领域的学者开始从事这一方面的研究并取得了不少成就。本文结合国内外的一些理论研究与实践成果,对PTSD的概念、诊断与鉴别以及相关法医学问题作一综述和探讨。     

Supercritical fluid chromatography in forensic science: a critical appraisal

The application of supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) in forensic science is reviewed. The applications centre on the analysis of explosives and of drugs of abuse. The systems employed are discussed in the context of comparison with gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography methods which are traditionally used for such analyses. The advantages and disadvantages of SFC over these methods are discussed. Recommendations are made for the developments which are required in SFC technology if it is to find greater application in forensic science.     

The evaluation of evidence in the forensic investigation of fire incidents. Part II. Practical examples of the use of Bayesian networks

This paper extends a previous discussion of the use of Bayesian networks for evaluating evidence in the forensic investigation of fire incidents. Bayesian networks are proposed for two casework examples and the practical implications studied in detail. Such networks were found to provide precious support in addressing some of the wide range of issues that affect the coherent evaluation of evidence.     

鉴侦分离机制研究

我国刑事司法实践中存在的"鉴侦合一"现象,违背了鉴定活动与司法活动分离的法定原则和科学鉴定的客观公正立场.鉴侦分离机制要求司法机关内部鉴定机构独立化,鉴定活动与司法活动的界限应予以明确,还应通过将侦查与鉴定工作任务、组织机构进行分离,纠正刑事诉讼法关于"鉴定"的立法表列来区分鉴定与鉴别的关系,进而构建鉴侦分离的机制.     

司法精神医学刑事责任能力鉴定中的几个问题

在刑事责任能力鉴定中 ,经常会遇到一些非临床问题 ,而这些问题又是司法精神医学学术讨论中很少提及的。现提出作者的意见 ,抛砖引玉。一、鉴定工作者的角色按照法律规定 ,只有临床经验丰富的精神科医生 ,才具有鉴定人资格。在实际工作中 ,鉴定人员基本上都是临床精神科医师。职业特点为精神科医师确立了职业角色的行为模式 :尽力维护精神病患者的利益。在司法精神医学鉴定中 ,不宜采用临床医师的行为模式。鉴定人员不是为患者服务 ,而是为法律服务 ,鉴定人员需要维护的不是法律诉讼中一方的利益 ,而是法律的公正。在司法精神医学研究中 ,有…     

司法精神医学刑事责任能力鉴定中的几个问题

在刑事责任能力鉴定中,经常会遇到一些非临床问题,而这些问题又是司法精神医学学术讨论中很少提及的.现提出作者的意见,抛砖引玉.     

Dermatoglyphic features in suicidents: characteristic and implications for the solution of forensic medical problems

The objective of the present work was to study dermatoglyphic signs in suicidents (n=50) and in the subjects who were either killed or died as a result of an accident. It was shown that the correlation between selected dermatoglyphic signs and predisposition to suicide is either insignificant or moderately significant. The specific features of suicidal predisposition can be traced down to dermatoglyphics of all the friction ridged skin areas (fingers, palms, toes, and soles of the feet). Suicidal residents of the northwestern regions of Russia have been found to possess specific dermatoglyphic features. The effectiveness of the mathematical models of suicidal predisposition developed based on the 20 most informative dermatoglyphic characteristics amounts to 88%.     

法医学鉴定标准的现状与问题

司法鉴定标准化是一个世界性的司法话题,伴随我国司法改革的实施和政府对标准化工作的重视,我国将迎来建立法医学鉴定标准体系的黄金时代。然而当前我国法医学鉴定标准却存在标准少、质量参差不齐、更新缓慢、标准制定的科学性不足等问题,导致司法鉴定工作与实践脱轨,很多鉴定项目缺乏鉴定标准。为此,作者建议,正确认识法医学鉴定标准的法律地位和存在的错误,致力于法医学鉴定标准化。     

Demographic change and forensic identification: problems in metric identification of Hispanic skeletons

The United States (U.S.) population structure is currently in a state of flux with one of the most profound changes being the increasing number of people referred to as Hispanic. In the U.S., much of the identification criteria for a biological profile are based on American Black and White individuals from anatomical collections. Using metric data from the Forensic Anthropology Data Bank (FDB), this paper will attempt to explore several issues that forensic anthropologists face when confronted with Hispanic remains. These will involve estimation of sex, height, and ancestry, the initial components of a biological profile. Discriminant function analyses indicate that American White criteria provide poor estimations of sex when applied to Hispanics and that ancestry estimation of Hispanic crania is difficult. Additionally, a new linear regression equation is presented that estimates stature for Hispanic individuals, although population specific criteria are still needed for Hispanic individuals from diverse geographical origins.