Change in the postmortem formation of hypostasis in skin preparations 100 micrometers thick

Twenty-three paired skin samples from 19 autopsies without putrefaction were taken from areas of livor mortis that (1). did not blanch with finger pressure and (2). blanched with strong pressure by tweezers. Three-dimensional microscopic viewing of 100-microm benzidine-stained skin sections demonstrated small blood vessels filled with red blood cells. The diameters of the clumps of red blood cells were greater in the sections from non-blanched areas than in the blanched areas, suggesting that fixation of hypostasis soon after death depends on sedimentation of intravascular red blood cells and passive dilatation of small vessels rather than on postmortem hemolysis.     

利用DNS比色法推断纸张相对制成时间

目的初步探讨利用DNS比色法研究纸张相对制成时间。方法利用DNS比色法测量不同制成时间的纸张中还原糖的变化。结果通过比较不同制成时间的纸张中还原糖量的变化规律,推断纸张的相对制成时间。结论用该方法可以对同类纸张,不同制成时间的纸张进行区分,为纸张相对制成时间的检验提供新的方法和思路。     

Assessing uncertainty in DNA evidence caused by sampling effects.

Sampling error estimation in forensic DNA testimony was discussed. Is an estimate necessary and how should it be made? The authors find that all modern methods have areas of strength and weakness. The assessment of which is the 'best' is subjective and depends on the performance of the method, the type of problem (criminal work or paternity), the database size and availability of computing software and support. The authors preferred the highest posterior density approach for performance, however the other methods all have areas where their performance is adequate. For single-contributor stains normal approximation methods are suitable, also the bootstrap and the highest posterior density method. For multiple-contributor stains or other complex situations the match probability expressions become quite complex and it may not be possible to derive the necessary variance expressions. The highest posterior density or the bootstrap provide a better general method, with non-zero theta. The size-bias correction and the factor of 10 approaches may be considered acceptable by many forensic scientists as long as their limitations are understood.     

The Difficulties in Assessing Wounds Created by .410 Bore Ammunition and Weapons

When interpreting firearm injuries, the distinction between gunshot wounds and shotgun wounds is important, and separation of these categories is typically straightforward. However, .410 bore firearms can make the classification difficult. Shotguns and revolvers that can fire the same .410 bore ammunition are readily available. This study investigates the soot and gunpowder deposits and pellet patterning of these two types of weapons using cartridges specially designed for .410 bore revolvers and standard birdshot pellet ammunition. For both ammunition types, the revolver had more prompt pellet dispersion and positive detection of gunpowder at greater distances compared to the shotgun. Additionally, .410 bore slugs are of similar caliber to many common bullets. In comparing the .410 bore slugs to equivalent bullets, some morphologic differences may be imparted on the skin by the slugs, but the greatest insight into the weapon remained with the retained projectiles.     

Assessing civil competence in the elderly.

This study was designed to establish reliability of the Community Competence Scale-Revised (CCS-R) and provide evidence for its validity in making discriminations relevant to civil competence in the elderly. The CCS-R is an individually administered structured interview of 17 subscales. Criterion groups were formed by drawing a sample of research participants from a retirement complex with various levels of care and with nurses having extensive knowledge of the residents' level of functioning. The study demonstrated high reliability and found converging evidence for the effectiveness of the CCS-R in making discrimination about competence in the elderly. The study had added to the growing evidence that it is possible to standardize the assessment of civil competence, thereby making the adjudication process a more accurate one.     

Evaluation of hypostasis using a colorimeter measuring system and its application to assessment of the post-mortem interval (time of death)

Hypostasis was measured in 93 cadavers using a tristimulus colorimeter in order to investigate its relationship with the time of death. The intensity (lightness) of the hypostasis in each case was measured over a period of 4 h and the rate of change in lightness derived. When examined against the time of death, it was found that there was a good correlation between the two. Namely, that the rate of change of lightness (and it can be inferred that this represents displaceability) decreases as the post-mortem period increases. The shift in hypostasis was particularly marked in the first 12 h and decreased thereafter. However, hypostasis could be useful for time of death estimation for up to 48 h. After this time, the degree of change was small or non-existent and by 72 h hypostasis had become fixed in the majority of cases, within our measuring period of 4 h.     

Assessing bias in professional licensing examinations by checking internal consistency

Law and Human Behavior - There are serious difficulties in using standard psychometric techniques for validating professional licensing examinations such as medical and bar examinations against...     

Assessing the Use of Profiling in Searches by Law Enforcement Personnel

This article considers statistical means of evaluating profiling in searches of individuals by law enforcement agencies. It reviews examples of inappropriate methods that have been used to date. A relatively recent, more appropriate, and simple method is elaborated and its usefulness documented with data from Maryland State Police highway stops and searches. The method evaluates profiling for specified groups of interest by comparing the relative magnitudes of contraband find rates among those stopped and searched of each group. When find rates are approximately the same across groups, then profiling used in making the stops and searches is deemed effective and nondiscriminatory. With an increasing number of jurisdictions mandated to collect data on stops and searches, it is important that appropriate methods be used in their analyses so correct public policy conclusions can be drawn.     

Assessing and managing the threat posed by fixated persons in Australia

In July 2013, the Australian State of Queensland established the first fixated threat assessment service outside Europe to specifically assess and manage lone, fixated persons. The Queensland Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (QFTAC) is a collaboration between the Intelligence, Counter-Terrorism and Major Events Command of the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Health’s Forensic Mental Health Service. It has been modelled on the original Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC) which has been operating in the United Kingdom since 2006, with modifications to reflect local needs and differing mental health and legal practices. This paper describes the background to the development of these services, the rationale for their expansion to the Asia Pacific region, and outcome data for QFTAC’s first 12 months of operations. These findings support the efficacy of proactive FTAC-style approaches to managing the threat posed by fixated individuals to public figures and the wider community.     

Assessing stereotypes of adolescent rape

PurposeThis study examined adolescent rape in light of two popular stereotypes of young rapists. The “deficit” view emphasizes various sexual, psychological, or social problems, whereas the “entitlement” perspective highlights instrumental motivation, confidence, and gender-based privileges.MethodsThe study analyzed data on adolescent males from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). We used rare events logistic regression analysis to test the associations between rape and sexual abuse, sexual activity, personality and social attributes, and control variables.ResultsFindings indicated notable associations between adolescent rape and variables emphasized by both stereotypes: net of a range of controls, a history of sexual abuse and low sexual self-control were associated with rape, but rape was also positively associated with self-esteem. We found no significant relationships between adolescent rape and sexual precociousness, number of sexual partners, using sex as a coping mechanism, social isolation, impulsivity, or narcissism.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that both the deficit and entitlement stereotypes hold some merit for understanding why some young men rape.