An investigation of two methods of DNA recovery from fired and unfired 9 mm ammunition

Cartridge cases are often recovered from crime scenes involving firearms and, in the United Kingdom (where gun possession is strictly controlled), these are commonly from 9 mm calibre ammunition. The ability to obtain informative DNA profiles from touch DNA on recovered cartridges could have a significant impact on the investigation of that type of offence. However, this avenue may not be routinely considered as investigators in the UK have historically had a low expectation of obtaining useful DNA profiles. This stance may not be unreasonable given that (a) only trace amounts of DNA are likely to have been transferred onto the cartridge cases through handling; and (b) when the cartridge is spent, the potential deterioration of that DNA caused by the act of discharging the weapon.We introduce a novel semi-automatable method using direct lysis for the recovery of DNA from ammunition and compare it with a traditional double-swabbing method (using wet and dry swabs). DNA profiling of the DNA recovered using both methods was carried out using the ESI17 FAST STR system (Promega). This demonstrated a significant increase in DNA recovery using the direct lysis approach, and correspondingly improved STR results.We also investigated the effect on the recovery and profiling of DNA from fired, and unfired, 9 mm cartridges using the direct lysis technique. These results demonstrate that DNA suitable for STR analysis can still be recovered from fired ammunition with only slightly reduced yields compared to unfired ammunition. In these experiments, the handler of the ammunition was most commonly either the sole contributor or the major contributor to the recovered DNA profile.     

Das ABGB und das Sondermietrecht – die Entwicklung der vergangenen 100?Jahre

Aus Anlass des im Vorjahr vielfach gefeierten 200. Geburtstags des ABGB zeichnet der Beitrag die Entwicklung des Mietrechts nach, wobei – diesem Anlass entsprechend – das Bestandrecht des ABGB im Mittelpunkt steht. Die Rückschau konzentriert sich auf die Entwicklungslinien im Gesetzesrecht und beschr?nkt sich daher – mangels eines Legislativgeschehens zum Mietrecht im ersten Geltungsjahrhundert des ABGB – auf die vergangenen 100 Jahre. Die judikative Ausgestaltung der Gesetzeslage wird nur in gro?en Zügen angesprochen; auch hier liegt der Fokus in der Rechtsprechung zum ABGB-Bestandrecht. Der Aufsatz ist die modifizierte Fassung eines Beitrags des Autors zu der vonFischer-Czermak/Hopf/Kathrein/Schauer herausgegebenen Festschrift „200 Jahre ABGB“.     

The role of coal in the development of the Baltic and South China Sea regions

Compared to other energy sources, coal is typically regarded as dirty and inefficient. To many, it conjures images of the Industrial Revolution, steam ships, steam trains, appalling working conditions and loss of life in the mines, thick air and gritty eyes and noses in the western metropolises. In the Baltic Region, the use of coal is declining everywhere but Russia. These generally mature economies are successfully shifting to cleaner fuels. However, as much of the South China Sea region is in the midst of economic take-off and modernization, coal consumption is on the rise. The demand for electric power is soaring and coal seems to be the only way to produce the vast amounts of electricity required. This paper examines the production of coal within the South China Sea region and the shared need to attempt to minimise the carbon emissions resulting from the use of so much coal.