A taxonomy of law enforcement decision support systems

The term “decision support system” is a recent one in the vocabulary of computer-based information systems. Because of increasing dependence of law enforcement agencies on computers to manage much of their data and produce in increasing amount of their information, the concept of decision support systems is an important one. This article presents a framework for classifying the data-processing tools used in providing the information necessary to support law enforcement. This raxonomy differentiates between the clerical functions of an electronic data-processing system and the decision-making orientation of a decision support system. DSSs are not in widespread use in law enforcement because they are difficult to understand, priorities for computerization often minimize or do not include applications conducive to DSSs, and the value of these systems is sometimes difficult to see. The framework described will help agencies map the development of their systems, determine what areas conducive to computerization are being emphasized and which are lacking, and recognize the planning considerations necessary for expansion into the DSS area.     

Withholding and withdrawing of life support: a medicolegal dilemma

The developments in medicine in general and the technology of life support in particular have provided the means of maintaining organ function for prolonged periods of time. However, there are many situations where life-sustaining treatment in an intensive care unit (ICU) may lead to a death with lingering and suffering of the patient, as well as burdening their family. Although often equated, withholding and/or withdrawing life-prolonging treatments that allow the patient to die needs to be differentiated from the physician-assisted suicides and euthanasia that involve the active ending of life. There is a difference between an unintended but accepted consequence of forgoing therapy and an intended result of death from suicide or euthanasia. The present-day physicians view most patient deaths as an inevitable process secondary to disorders unresponsive to treatment and/or multiple organ dysfunction syndromes. The large majority of patients dying in ICUs today succumb not after cardiopulmonary resuscitation, but rather, after the forgoing of life-sustaining treatment. Such approach has frequently caused families, institutions, and conservators of patients to resort to judicial fiat for resolution.     

Exemption of certain systems of records under the Privacy Act. Final rule

This final rule exempts four systems of records (SORs) from subsections (c)(3), (d)(1) through (d)(4), (e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(2): The Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) Complaint/ Incidents Tracking System (ACTS), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0565; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Information Tracking System (HITS), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0544; the Organ Procurement Organizations System (OPOS), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70- 0575; and the Fraud Investigation Database (FID), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0527.     

Exemption of certain systems of records under the Privacy Act. Proposed rule

This proposed rule would exempt the four system of records from subsections (c)(3), (d)(1) through (d)(4),(e)(4)(G) and (H), and (f) of the Privacy Act pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a (k)(2): The Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) Complaint/Incidents Tracking System ("ACTS"), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0565; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Information Tracking System ("HITS"), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0544; the Organ Procurement Organizations System ("OPOS"), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0575; and the Fraud Investigation Database ("FID"), HHS/CMS, System No. 09-70-0527.     

关于赋予第三人对船东保赔协会赔偿请求权问题探析

由于中国存在立法空白,在保赔保险属于非强制险的情况下,若加害船东无力赔偿或下落不明时,受害第三人向法院提起诉讼,要求船东保赔协会赔偿其损失,国内法院基本上以无法律依据为由,驳回第三人对船东保赔协会的诉讼请求.为平衡受害第三人与船东保赔协会之间的利益,维护航运业的良性发展,立足中国的社会发展现状,充分结合国际公约和国外立法的先进理念,提出构建中国保赔保险中第三人对船东保赔协会赔偿请求权的法律框架.