A potential metallographic technique for the investigation of pipe bombings

This study was conducted in an attempt to develop a metallographic method for the investigation of pipe bombings. Three common pipe materials, ASTM A53 steel, AISI 304L stainless steel, and 6061-T6 aluminum, were shock-loaded using five high explosives and three propellants. The explosives used were ANFO, Composition C4, C6 detasheet, nitroglycerine-based dynamite, and flake TNT. The propellants used were FFFFg black powder. Red Dot smokeless powder, and Turbo Fuel A. The post-blast microstructure, hardness, and, in the case of 304L, transformed martensite content were examined for each test. The damage done to the microstructure was found to increase with increasing detonation velocity of the explosives and increase in pressure generated by the shock-metal interaction. Material hardness and, in the case of 304L, martensite content showed a sharp increase followed by a plateau as the shock pressure and detonation velocity increased.     

Physical forms of contemporary small-arms propellants and their forensic value

Intermediate gunshot wounds typically produce powder tattooing and/or stippling of the skin. The size and density of such powder-induced injuries around an entry wound are used to estimate the separation distance between the muzzle of the responsible firearm and the entry site through test firings at selected muzzle-to-target distances, with ammunition comparable to the injury-producing round and the evidence firearm. The foregoing is well known to forensic pathologists who document and describe such powder patterns in gunshot victims and firearm examiners who customarily produce the test-fired powder patterns for subsequent range-of-fire determinations. Less known, particularly to pathologists, is the considerable variety in forms of modern nitrocellulose propellants, their effects on powder-induced injuries to human skin, and the value of these varied physical forms in the reconstruction of shooting incidents. These factors are the subject of this article.     

Is the exploding powder gas of the propellant from blank cartridges sterile?

Shots from blank weapons loaded with blank cartridges, when fired from close range or as a contact shot, almost always cause the skin to burst open and lead to injuries to structures below the surface. Subsequently, wound infections are often observed. In addition to the introduction of skin germs, the possibility exists that contaminated propellants may enter into consideration as a source of infection. Using step-by-step experimental procedures we were able to demonstrate that: 1. Blank cartridge propellants were almost always contaminated with Bacillus cereus (nitrocellulose powder more so than black powder); 2. When the shot is fired numerous bacteria survive and are forced out with the gunsmoke from the weapon and thus find their way into the wound. In principle, blank cartridge propellant thus exhibits as much potential for wound infection as the skin germs. Clearly, the species B. cereus is prominent in this context. For open injuries even with ‘harmless’ blank weapons, an antibiotic prophylaxis should always be administered.     

Discriminating Hodgdon Pyrodex® and Triple Seven® Using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract: Pyrodex ^® and Triple Seven ^® are black powder substitutes that often find use as fillers in improvised explosive devices, such as pipe bombs. These propellants have essentially the same overall appearance and oxidizers, but different fuels. For example, Pyrodex ^® contains sulfur, sodium benzoate, and dicyandiamide (DCDA), whereas Triple Seven ^® lacks sulfur but also contains 3‐nitrobenzoic acid. In this method, intact particles and postblast solid residues were reacted with bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide + 1% trimethylchlorosilane in acetonitrile for 30 min at 60°C. The resultant trimethylsilyl derivatives of the organic fuels were then analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Each derivative was clearly resolved from other components, and high‐quality mass spectra were obtained. In addition, characteristic fragments resulting from loss of a methyl radical from the molecular ion (m/z 163 for sulfur, m/z 171 for DCDA, m/z 179 for benzoic acid, and m/z 224 for nitrobenzoic acid) were able to be monitored.     

The identification of adipocere in grave soils

Soil samples recovered from grave exhumations have been analysed in an attempt to identify and characterise adipocere contained in the samples. The soil samples were collected from different environments, including samples recovered from forensic grave sites. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to identify adipocere and characterise the fatty acid composition. X-ray diffraction was used to characterise the soil environments.     

Study of ethno-racial and sexual specificity of hard palate mucosa for person identification

Relief of hard palatal mucosa was examined to identify ethno-racial and gender affiliation in representatives of europeoid, mongolid, and intermediate racial groups, viz Estonians (northern europeoid type), Azerbajaninans (southern europeoid), Koreans (Far East mongoloid), and Kasakhs (intermediate). The results of the study suggest the possibility in principle to identify the ethno-racial affiliation of human subjects from the distribution pattern of hard palate mucosal folds.     

机动车道路交通事故损害赔偿责任主体的认定

由于机动车损害赔偿事故的多样化和不确定性,很难对赔偿主体进行一致的认定.根据危险责任思想和报偿责任理论,将"运行支配"和"运行利益"两项标准作为确定交通事故损害赔偿责任主体的一般原则,并对在各种具体情形下机动车发生交通事故时责任主体的认定一一作出了分析.     

数字虚拟切片技术在武汉市中心城区水域春季硅藻调查中的应用

目的建立武汉市中心城区水域春季的硅藻形态及相对构成比数据库。方法2012年3、4月期间,在武汉市中心城区的主要河流、湖泊、公园水域中共选取32个采水点并进行水样采集,利用数字虚拟切片工作站（OLYMPUS-DotSlide）采集图像,对硅藻进行种属鉴别和计数。结果共检见14种硅藻藻属,各水域所含硅藻种类及相对构成比有所差异。结论本研究结果提高了硅藻的阳性检出率、计数的准确率以及溺死诊断的效率,可为溺死案件中相应水域的硅藻比对提供基础检测平台,为溺死地点的推断提供依据。     

I know how you feel: the influence of psychopathic traits on the ability to identify micro-expressions

Few studies have examined the manner in which individuals view, interact with, and manipulate others, or their ability to identify and respond to others’ emotional cues. More specifically, no research has examined the capacity of individuals high in psychopathic traits to perceive and recognize extremely fleeting emotional expressions (i.e. micro-expressions) that could allow them to infer emotional vulnerability in others. The current study examined whether psychopathic traits [measured via the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale-4 (SRP-4); Paulhus, D. L., Neumann, C. S., & Hare, R. D. (2016). Manual for the Self-Report Psychopathy Scale (4th ed.). Toronto: Multi-Health Systems] were associated with the ability to identify micro-expressions in others. Participants (N?=?132) viewed videos of 1/25th second micro-expressions and attempted to identify the displayed emotion. The results indicated that SRP scores were positively associated with a heightened ability to identify sadness micro-expressions, particularly among observers who were women. Additionally, various SRP subscales were related to emotion selection tendencies and accuracy rates, which also differed between the sexes.     

利用“WA”花纹的车胎印痕推定轮胎规格

对于“WA”花纹的车胎印痕,根据其花纹的结构可以进一步推定轮胎的规格,这对于确定犯罪嫌疑车辆有着非常重要的意义.本文从胎面“WA”花纹的排布规律入手,结合外界条件的变化对花纹的影响,阐述了这种推定的可行性.     

利用DNA条形码技术鉴别植物

目的研究利用DNA条形码技术鉴定上海地区常见植物叶片种类,在物种鉴定水平的基础上,进一步讨论利用分子标记技术对该类物证进行同一认定可行性。方法随机选取上海地区常见的9种植物,在其非新鲜的状态下利用高盐法提取植物组织的DNA,PCR扩增叶绿体rbcL和matK基因片段并且回收测序,通过数据库比对确定植物的物种。结果利用双基因鉴定分析系统,在随机收集的9份样品中,均达到物种水平的鉴定。结论利用DNA条形码技术,可以在物种水平准确地鉴定植物叶片类物证。     

潍坊地区六种常见嗜尸性蝇类mtDNA COI区序列研究

目的解决蝇类成虫、蛹和蛆快速、准确鉴定的难题。方法随机采集潍坊地区人尸周围环境中的蝇类成虫、蛹和蛆,提取其mtDNA,经PCR扩增、产物检测与纯化、测序等,比较其序列差异。结果六种常见嗜尸性蝇类相互之间序列差异明显,同一种蝇的成虫、幼虫、蛹之间未见差异。结论mtDNACOI区序列分析可作为法医学嗜尸性蝇类种属鉴别的可靠方法。     

恐怖组织认定模式之研究

当前,我国对恐怖组织事实上采取了司法认定和行政认定并存的模式,这种模式缺乏明确的法律依据与分工。在世界范围内,各国对恐怖组织的认定主要存在司法认定和行政认定两种模式,而我国刑法中除恐怖组织以外其他组织也存在司法认定和行政认定两种模式。从实际情况、人员配备,以及认定后果来看,我国应对恐怖组织采取行政认定模式,以达成刑法与反恐怖法的衔接。     

Immunology and microbiology devices; reclassification of the herpes simplex virus serological assay device. Final rule

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the special controls for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) serological assay device type, which is classified as class II (special controls). These device types are devices that consist of antigens and antisera used in various serological tests to identify antibodies to herpes simplex virus in serum, and the devices that consist of herpes simplex virus antisera conjugated with a fluorescent dye (immunofluorescent assays) used to identify herpes simplex virus directly from clinical specimens or tissue culture isolates derived from clinical specimens.     

Calcification and ossification in the arytenoid cartilage: incidence and patterns

Calcification or ossification occurs early and commonly in the arytenoid cartilage. It may be difficult to detect, but there are only eight patterns that specifically identify ossification and calcification. Each arytenoid independently ossifies or calcifies. The cervical spine examination can specifically identify the patterns found at autopsy.     

不同死后时间组织中吗啡免疫组化检测的初步研究

目的检测不同死后时间组织中的吗啡。方法应用抗吗啡兔血和SABC法对不同死后时间大鼠肝肾组织中吗啡进行了检测。结果初步发现死后27h仍可在肝肾组织普通石蜡切片上检出阳性染色。结论免疫组化技术可以用以检测死后组织中的毒物。     

下肢深静脉血栓形成的临床法医学鉴定

下肢深静脉血栓形成是交通损伤后常见的并发症,其伤病关系和伤残等级的鉴定是法医学鉴定的难点之一。在下肢深静脉血栓形成发展至下肢深静脉血栓后综合征时,下肢深静脉发生了血栓的堵塞、瓣膜和静脉壁的破坏,致循环系统和下肢功能障碍,严重影响伤者的生活质量和工作能力。本文通过文献回顾,分析不同类型下肢深静脉血栓对机体的影响,探讨其伤病关系、评残时机、伤残等级的鉴定方法。     

Assessing nation-state-sponsored cyberattacks using aspects of Situational Crime Prevention

Research Summary

This study utilized a quantitative analysis of 246 cyberattack incidents reported in the Extremist CyberCrime Database to identify significant predictors of nation-state-sponsored cyberattacks relative to those performed by non-nation-state-sponsored ideological actors. Clarke and Newman's Situational Crime Prevention framework for terrorism was used to identify differential opportunities to successfully affect targets on the basis of tools, weapons, and the ability to access targets in online settings. The analysis noted nation-state-sponsored attacks were less likely to use high-visibility attack methods and more likely to utilize attack methods leading to data breaches. In addition, they were more likely to target state governments and military entities relative to ideological actors.

Policy Implications

Nation-state attacks are more difficult to identify or mitigate while in process, requiring a more robust national cybersecurity policy framework to be implemented that moves beyond current practices. There is a need to better utilize all aspects of government, from legislation to grant funding, in order to deter cyberattacks from continuing into the future.     

Predictors of success and failure on intensive probation supervision

Using official data collected from probation records, this article identifies predictors of success and failure in the Super Intensive Probation Program in Harris County (Houston), Texas. The records of 307 participants were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The attempt was to identify predictors of committing technical violations and new crimes. These two categories were combined to identify predictors of success/failure in general. The strongest predictors of failure were unemployment and number of prior misdemeanor convictions. The performances of SIPP participants was compared with that of a sample of regular probationers. Though the failure rates of the two programs was comparable, none of the variables which correlated with success/failure in SIPP were significantly associated with performance on regular probation. Theoretical and policy-related implications of the findings are discussed.     

Screening of Women in Jail for Health Risks and Needs

Abstract

In order to address the relative lack of services for women who come into contact with the criminal justice system, there is a need to develop quick and easily administered screening tools. This pilot study was conducted with 110 women in two urban county jails in Ohio. The purpose of the project was to develop and pilot a quick multidimensional screening instrument for women in jail to identify risk and rehabilitative needs. The project resulted in a 15-item screening tool which can be used in urban crowded jail settings to identify women at risk for health, substance abuse, mental health, family, employment or housing risks.