Prospects for determining age from human soft tissues (a morphometric study)

Biometric studies of the aorta, endocrine glands (testes, prostate, and thyroid), and x-ray examination of the hands from 427 corpses of men and women aged 17-89 years helped formulate equations of paired and multiple linear regression for the diagnosis of age. The difference between biological and passport age is significant if the diagnosis is made on the basis of a single object or single sign. Complex use of several objects described by many signs is recommended; in this case the confidence intervals is no more than +/- 4.09 years.     

A comparative study on foreign investment legal system in China

It is to illustrate the recent development of foreign investment legal regimes in China with a special reference to foreign investment policy and the fulfillment of commitment that China made since its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Meanwhile, much emphasis will focus on a series of amendments and adoptions regarding legislations which are directly or indirectly relating to foreign investment in China. To get a good understanding of the features of Chinese legal regimes for foreign investment, a comparative analysis between the legal regimes in China and that in the US will be referred.     

犯罪未遂比较研究

一、从立法到立法：表象分析 人的意识，发端于对事物或现象的感性认识，而感性认识源于事物或现象之表象，因此，表象分析就具有前提性意义。为便于分析，须将有关现行立法介绍于前。 (一)对犯罪未遂概念的规定概览 意大利刑法典(1930年)第56条以“犯罪未遂”为标题规定：“以相称的行动、明确的方式指向实施……     

A study of multiple bitemarks inflicted in human skin by a single dentition using geometric morphometric analysis

Criticisms of the forensic discipline of bitemark analysis state that the range of distortion in the shape of bitemark impressions in skin has not been scientifically established. No systematic statistical studies exist that explore this problem. As a preliminary investigation of this issue, a single dentition was mounted in a mechanical apparatus and used to create 89 bitemarks in human cadaver skin, both parallel and perpendicular to tension lines. Impressions of the same dentition were also created in wax. 2D scanned images of the biting dentition were obtained. Locations of incisal edges of all 6 anterior teeth as well as the midpoint of the canine were captured as landmarks in all specimens. This set of landmark data was then studied using established geometric morphometric methods. All specimen shapes were compared using Procrustes superimposition methods, and by a variation of Procrustes superimposition which preserves scale information. Match criteria were established by examining the range of variation produced by repeated measurements of the dentition for each class of specimen. The bitemarks were also compared to a population of 411 digitally scanned dentitions, again using the match criteria. Results showed that bitemarks in wax had lower measurement error than scanned images of the dentition, and both were substantially lower than measurement error as recorded in skin. None of the 89 bitemarks matched the measured shape of the biting dentition or bitemarks in wax, within the repeated measurements error level, despite the fact that all bitemarks were produced by this dentition. Comparison of the bitemarks to the collection of 411 dentitions showed that the closest match to the bitemarks was not always the same dentition that produced the bitemarks. Examination of Procrustes plots of matched shapes showed non-overlapping distributions of measurements of bitemarks in skin, wax, and the dentition. All had statistically significant differences in mean shape. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical variates analysis (CVA) both showed clear segregation of the three types of data. The patterns of variance revealed by PCA showed several distinct patterns produced by skin distortion; alteration of relative arch width, and varying displacement of non-aligned teeth in the dentition. These initial results indicate that when multiple suspects possess similar dentitions, bitemark analysis should be approached with caution.     

Drugged driving in the Nordic countries--a comparative study between five countries

The purpose of this study was to compare whether the high incidence of drugged driving in Norway was different to that in the other Nordic countries. All blood samples received by Nordic forensic institutes during one week in 1996, from drivers suspected by the police of driving under the influence (Denmark: n = 255, Finland: n = 270, Iceland: n = 40, Sweden: n = 86, Norway: n = 149), were analysed for alcohol and drugs (benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates and a number of antidepressant drugs) independent of the primary suspicion, and using the same analytical cut-off levels at the different institutes. The primary suspicion was directed towards drugs in more than 40% of the Norwegian cases, drugs were detected in more than 70% of these samples. In only 0-3% of the cases from Denmark, Finland and Iceland, were drugs suspected, while the corresponding frequency for Sweden was 17%. However, evidential breath analyses were used for about three-quarters of the Swedish drivers suspected to be influenced by alcohol. Blood alcohol concentrations (BAC's) below the legal limits were found in 32, 18 and 2% of the Norwegian, Icelandic and Finnish cases, respectively (BAC < 0.05%), in 10% of the Danish cases (BAC < 0.08%) and in 20% of the Swedish cases (BAC < 0.02%). Drugs were most frequently found in the Norwegian and Swedish cases with no alcohol (80-83%). Similar frequencies of drugs in samples with BAC's above the legal limits (19-22%), were obtained for all countries. Benzodiazepines, tetrahydrocannabinol and amphetamine represented the most commonly detected drugs. Our results show that differences between Norway and other Nordic countries with regard to drugs and driving, are connected to the selection criteria made by the police and with more focus on drugged driving in Norway.     

A comparative study of ethchlorvynol levels in blood versus bone marrow

Bone marrow may be utilized as an alternative biological sample in cases where uncontaminated blood samples are not available for analyses. Bone marrow/blood ratios of ethchlorvynol as a function of time and dosage level were determined in 40 rabbits. A modified quantitative analysis that produced accurate and reproducible results was employed for the determination of ethchlorvynol levels. Further, ten blood and bone marrow samples containing ethchlorvynol were chosen to study the effects of storage for a period of 24 hours. Studies of blood and bone marrow ethchlorvynol levels with time showed no linear relationship. Bone marrow/blood ratios as a function of dose resulted in close mean averages with a wide range of values. Significant losses in both blood and bone marrow ethchlorvynol levels were evidenced in most of the samples subjected to the 24-hour storage study.     

Potential definition of the time of death from autolytic myocardial cells: a morphometric study

Morphometric methods and transmission electron microscopy were used to quantify modifications occurring in the mitochondria of dog myocardium during the first four hours of autolysis. Myocardial fragments were obtained from the outer free wall of the left ventricle, during anesthesia (control-zero) and at 15, 45, 120, and 240 min after cardiac arrest, maintaining the heart "in situ" at 22 degrees C. During the 240 min of autolysis, the main parameters evaluated showed: (a) a decrease in the number of mitochondria from 0.31 to 0.12 per micron 3 of cytoplasm. The decrease over the first 45 min reached 50% of the initial value; (b) an increase in mitochondrial volume, three times greater after the first 45 min (from 0.92 to 2.68 micron 3) and four times greater after 240 min (from 0.92 to 3.79 micron 3); (c) an increase in mitochondrial outer membrane surface area from 5.51 to 12.54 micron 2; (d) an increase in the surface area of individual mitochondria inner membrane and cristae from 27.60 to 56.96 micron 2. The progressive nature of the alterations and the difference in the numerically expressed values allow correlation with the time of somatic death. The authors emphasize the need for further studies in order to complement the present study.     

Assessment of bone age based on morphometric study of the upper end of the humerus

Assessment of changes in the spongy bone structure of the upper end of the humerus is one of the common methods of age estimation. This method was devised many years ago (1894) and has never been verified in an objective numerical testing. We projected an objective morphometric method assessment of the upper end of the humerus. The study was carried out on humeri from cadavers of 88 men and 84 women. The surface area of atrophy of the spongy structure (medullary cavity) was calculated on the longitudinal section of the humerus. A new morphometric method was applied, which allowed numerical presentation of results. The results of the study show a lack of statistical correlation between atrophy of the spongy structure within the upper end of the humerus and the chronological age. Therefore, it can be concluded that the assessment of humerus structure should be omitted in the forensic medical age estimation.     

行政行为成立比较研究

我国行政行为成立理论是借鉴了大陆法系的理论建立起来的。大陆法系行政行为成立理论包括法国模式和德国模式。通过比较发现,我国的行政行为的概念定义是法国式——广义上的行政行为,而成立理论是德国式——具体行政行为成立,这必然导致我国的行政行为的概念与行政行为成立相悖,从而导致理论研究和实践操作上的困难。因此,有必要对我国的行政行为成立理论进行反思与重构。     

Plasma versus bone marrow desipramine: a comparative study

Correlation between plasma and bone marrow tricyclic antidepressants has not been studied before. Two groups of rabbits were given 10 and 20 mg of desipramine/kg body weight, respectively. Desipramine was administered to the animals once daily by mouth for 5 days. On the fifth day the animals were sacrificed and blood and bone marrow samples were collected and analyzed using a high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. Data showed that a correlation exists between bone marrow and blood desipramine. The bone marrow desipramine concentration increased as its blood levels increased. The average ratio of bone marrow to blood desipramine +/- S.D. (standard deviation) in both dosage groups was 37.2 +/- 4.46 with a range of 30.99-44.82. This investigation is promising and shows that bone marrow could be used as an alternative tissue in the absence of a suitable blood sample.     

Psychodiagnostic testing of sex offenders: a comparative study

Two groups of offenders, one charged with sex crimes as well as with crimes of larceny, and the other charged with sex crimes only, are compared with respect to their demographic characteristics and their intelligence and diagnostic classification as determined via psychological testing.     

4种硅藻检验方法的比较研究

目的比较硝酸乙醇法、酶消化法、“破机罐”法和Soluene-350法在检验硅藻中各自的优缺点,为法医实际办案提供理论依据。方法取家兔肝、肾和骨髓3种组织各2g,分别用上述4种方法消化,比较4种不同方法分别将组织这些完全消化所需要的时间、消化能力、对硅藻的检出率以及对硅藻的破坏程度。结果消化时间以Solu-ene-350法耗时最长,其次是酶消化法,硝酸乙醇法和破机罐法耗时最短。4种方法消化能力的强弱依次是“破机罐”法、硝酸乙醇法、酶消化法、Soluene-350法。对梅尼小环藻(淡水)和桥弯藻(淡水),酶消化法的检出率最高,硝酸乙醇法其次,“破机罐”法和Soluene-350法最低。对舟形藻(海水),酶消化法的检出率高,其余3种方法几乎没检测到。扫描电镜观察:酶消化法对硅藻结构几乎没有破坏。其余3种方法对硅藻均有不同程度的破坏。结论从降低成本、提高检测效率角度,应选择“破机罐”法和硝酸乙醇法;从安全性和环保角度,或可疑水样为海水及硅藻密度较小时,应选择酶消化法;Soluene-350法因耗时长、成本高且硅藻检出率低,不适于在基层法医中推广。     

Guardianship and crime: an international comparative study of guardianship in action

An observational tool was developed to measure guardianship potential and guardianship in action in residential areas in The Hague, the Netherlands by Reynald (Crime Prevention and Community Safety 11(1):1?C20, 2009; Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 47(3):358?C390, 2010). Guardianship potential was measured using the defensible space-based measures from the Block Environment Inventory (BEI), while Guardianship in Action (GIA) was observed by recording whether or not guardians (1) were visibly available, (2) were monitoring, and (3) intervened when necessary. This article reports on an international comparison of GIA in The Hague and in an American city. A comparative understanding will help advance knowledge on the measurement of active guardianship and related defensible space dimensions and identify socio-cultural differences in the application and meaning of the guardianship concept. Key results include that the observable dimensions of guardianship in action were reliable and valid, but some differences existed between the two sites including significant differences related to the social interaction measure. Similarities and differences across the two sites are examined, and implications for theory and research are explored.     

The sexuality of women in physically abusive marriages: A comparative study

This study compared 60 abused women with a demographically matched sample of nonabused women in distressed marriages to examine female sexuality in physically abusive marriages. The total study population consisted of 120 women aged 19-29 years. The sample of abused women was obtained from couples who were enrolled under the Domestic Conflict Containment Program, while the sample of nonabused women was selected from couples who were enrolled in marital group therapy to control for any confounding effects of marital discord and dissatisfaction. With the exception of religion, both groups were equally matched in numbers, but no significant differences were discovered between the two samples on any of the demographic variables. Results of the study showed that physically abused women expressed lower levels of intimacy (p 0.001) and compatibility (p = 0.034) in their marriages than did nonabused women. Lower degrees of sexual assertiveness (p 0.001), sexual arousal (p = 0.026), and a more traditional sex-role ideology (p 0.001) was reported by women in abusive relationships. In addition, abused women reported greater sexual dissatisfaction (p = 0.022), a more negative disposition regarding sex (p = 0.054), and a stronger tendency to avoid sexual activity (p 0.01). Despite these findings, abused women reported a higher frequency of sexual intercourse with their spouses (p 0.001) than women in nonviolent marriages.