The United Kingdom threat assessment of serious organised crime

The United Kingdom Threat Assessment describes and assesses the threats posed to the UK by serious organized criminals and considers how those threats may develop in the future.     

The Teaching of Denture Marking Methods in Dental Schools in the United Kingdom and the United States*,†

Abstract: Forensic organizations worldwide have recommended that dental prostheses should be marked with, at a minimum, the patient’s name and preferably with further unique identifiers such as a social security number. The current study aimed to assess the denture marking practice of dental schools within the United States and the United Kingdom. A questionnaire‐based survey was employed to gain both quantitative and qualitative data on the methods, practices, and ethos behind denture marking in 14 U.K. and 32 U.S. dental schools. One hundred percent of U.K. and 87.5% of U.S. schools returned surveys and the results suggest that, for dental schools where there is no legal or legislative need for denture marking, the practice is inconsistently taught and appears to be reliant on internal forces within the school to increase awareness. Among those schools practicing marking, only 18% employ a technique likely to withstand common postmortem assaults; this is a concern.     

Environmental assessment of gunshot residue particles in the public domain of the United Kingdom

Only limited data currently exists on the inadvertent transfer of gunshot residue (GSR), or GSR-like particles through contact with public places. In this study, an assessment occurrence of GSR in public environments in England, UK was undertaken. Utilizing a stubbing sampling technique over 260 samples were collected from areas accessible to the public, including buses, trains, taxis, and train stations. Stub analysis was performed by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (SEM-EDX). The results showed no characteristic GSR particles were detected on any of the 262 samples taken. From these samples, a total of four indicative/consistent particles were identified on one train seat (2× BaAl, 2× PbSb). Although geographical location and firearm association is likely to influence GSR occurrence, the data suggests that the potential for inadvertent GSR transfer through contact with public transport and associated communal areas is insignificant. Further research assessing environmental background levels of GSR in additional geographical locations is critical in an evaluation of the potential for GSR transfer from the environment.     

Dental age assessment: the applicability of Demirjian method in eastern Turkish children

In the literature, little is known about the applicability of this method in Turkish children. The aim of this study was, therefore, to evaluate the reliability of Demirjian method of age estimation when used for eastern Turkish children. A retrospective study was performed on a sample of panoramic radiographs taken from 807 healthy eastern Turkish children. The stages of dental maturity of the mandibular left seven permanent teeth for each subject using the eight radiographic dental maturity stages demonstrated by Demirjian were evaluated. A paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. The mean difference between the chronological and dental ages ranged from 0.2 to 1.9 years in girls and from 0.4 to 1.3 years in boys. The differences between the chronological and dental ages were statistically significant in all age groups. The applicability of Demirjian method is not suitable for eastern Turkish population.     

Autosomal microsatellite allele frequencies for a nationwide dataset from the Australian Caucasian sub-population

DNA profiling results presented in court must be accompanied by a statistical estimate of its evidential weight. In calculating such statistics, allele frequencies from the tested loci are required. This paper reports allele frequencies and the results of population genetic testing of datasets of autosomal microsatellite profiles from Australian Caucasian donors. In contrast to previous practice in Australia these data have been collated at the national level rather than at the State and Territory level. We consider that this national dataset could be used in forensic DNA casework throughout Australia as previously recommended by Ayres et al. [K.L. Ayres, J. Chaseling, D.J. Balding, Implications for DNA identification arising from an analysis of Australian forensic databases, Forensic Sci. Int. 129 (2002) 90-98].     

中国黑龙江地区汉族未成年人的牙钙化程度及年龄推断

目的探讨未成年人牙齿钙化程度与其年龄的关系,建立根据牙齿钙化程度推断未成年人年龄的方法。方法拍摄黑龙江地区1510名未成年人（男737名,女773名,年龄6～15周岁）牙齿曲面断层影像片,利用计算机观察全口曲面断层影像片中下颌恒牙牙位处钙化程度的影像特征,并建立牙齿钙化分级评分标准,然后根据此标准对下颌牙齿进行分级评分;将其结果输入SPSS13.0软件统计,按α=0.05对牙齿钙化分值分性别分年龄段组进行非参数检验和与年龄的相关性分析,最终建立根据牙齿钙化程度推断年龄的回归方程。结果同名牙左右侧无差异（P〉0.05）,而性别间有差异（P〈0.05）;男女性下颌牙齿的钙化程度均与年龄高度相关（r〉0.7）;所建方程模型合理可靠,盲测结果显示推断年龄与实际年龄间无统计学差异,误差绝对值的平均值男性为（0.367±0.257）岁,女性为（0.367±0.245）岁。结论本研究中未成年人牙齿钙化程度随年龄的增长而呈现增高趋势,直至完全钙化;根据牙齿钙化程度建立的回归方程可用于未成年人活体以及无名尸体的年龄推断。     

Dental age estimation from the developmental stage of the third molars in western Chinese population

The purpose of this study is to provide reference data about estimating dental age from third molars of the western Chinese population for comparing with other populations and being applied to the age estimation of western Chinese juveniles and adolescents. A total of 2078 digital panoramic radiographs of 989 male and 1089 female Chinese subjects aged between 5 and 23 years were examined. The mineralization status of the third molars was assessed using the formation stages described by Demirjian et al. with two modifications. The results showed that the development of third molars in the western Chinese population was likely to begin at age 5 in both males and females. The third molars 28 and 48 showed significantly higher frequency in females than in males. The third molars 18 in the stage 1, 38 in the stages 1, A and G, and 48 in the stage H showed significantly older average age in females than in males. The Demirjian's stages C and D could be used as a reference stage to determine dichotomously whether a western Chinese is more likely to be under or above age 14 or 16, respectively. This study provided reference data for the age estimation of western Chinese juveniles and adolescents by the mineralization stages of the third molar. Apart from forensic age determination in living subjects, the presented reference data can also be used for age estimations of unidentified corpses and skeletons.     

Seminar on criminal appeals in the United Kingdom

Conference Report

Seminar on criminal appeals in the United Kingdom