The probability of achieving full allelic representation for LCN-STR profiling of haploid cells

Modern forensic techniques allow DNA to be extracted from ever decreasing amounts of cellular material. Low copy number (LCN) profiling enables the production of STR profiles from small numbers of cells. Moreover, methods such as laser micro-dissection enables forensic scientists to potentially isolate individual cells for PCR. The DNA derived from haploid cells (semen) is a common source of forensic evidence in sexual assault cases. Haploid cells contain only half the DNA complement of diploid cells (3 pg compared to 6 pg). The smaller the number of cells sampled, the smaller the probability that there is a full representation of the alleles comprising the donor profile. This paper investigates the relationship between the number of cells sampled and the probability of full representation of all alleles in the donor sample. It also considers the effect of typing several loci as opposed to just a single locus.     

Human Rights in the Scottish Courts

This article looks at the use made of the human rights legislation in the Scottish courts since the devolution of legislative and executive power to Scotland, based on research undertaken in all the ordinary courts, but excluding tribunals. It concludes that the incorporation of the Convention via the human rights legislation has had significant effects within the Scottish court system and on policy development without amounting to a major upheaval.     

Smuggling of Human Beings from a Human Rights Perspective: Obligations of Non-State and State Actors under International Human Rights Law

Although trafficking of human beings has been widely regardedas a human rights issue, little attention has been paid to humanrights aspects of smuggling as it is mainly characterised asfacilitation of illegal migration. The purpose of this articleis to demonstrate that smuggling of human beings equally raiseshuman rights concerns. The article begins by exploring the definitionsof trafficking and smuggling and their policy implications.It then highlights some human rights issues inherent in theact by examining its causes, process and consequences. It continueswith an analysis of human rights obligations imposed upon non-Stateand State actors. The fact that non-State actors are not helddirectly accountable under international human rights law pointsto an investigation of legal obligations imposed upon States,and this article examines an obligation to protect victims asan example.     

The Role of Procedural Justice and Legitimacy in Shaping Public Support for Policing

This study explores two issues about police legitimacy. The first issue is the relative importance of police legitimacy in shaping public support of the police and policing activities, compared to the importance of instrumental judgments about (1) the risk that people will be caught and sanctioned for wrongdoing, (2) the performance of the police in fighting crime, and/or (3) the fairness of the distribution of police services. Three aspects of public support for the police are examined: public compliance with the law, public cooperation with the police, and public willingness to support policies that empower the police. The second issue is which judgments about police activity determine people's views about the legitimacy of the police. This study compares the influence of people's judgments about the procedural justice of the manner in which the police exercise their authority to the influence of three instrumental judgments: risk, performance, and distributive fairness. Findings of two surveys of New Yorkers show that, first, legitimacy has a strong influence on the public's reactions to the police, and second, the key antecedent of legitimacy is the fairness of the procedures used by the police. This model applies to both white and minority group residents.     

La collaboration internationale: un element essentiel dans la conception des programmes de formation en sécurité aeroportuaire

Sommaire: Cet article explique la façon dont les informations provenant de la coopération internationale sur la prévention du terrorisme influencent le design des programmes de formation des agents de contrôle préembarquement à 1'Administration canadienne de la sûireté du transport aerien (acsta). 11 expose comment l'integration de ces informations a conduit au développement d'une méthodologie de formation qui suit les principes de la formation par compétences. Cette réflexion marque Ie cinquiéme anniversaire de la fondation de I'acsta et le sixiéme des attentats du 11 septembre 2001. Les auteurs présentent les grands enjeux de la sécurité aéroportuaire, les contraintes et opportunités du contexte international, ainsi que les méthodologies et stratégies utilisées dans le programme de formation. Abstract: This article describes how information provided by the international community influences the design of training programs for airport security officers at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (catsa). It explains how the integration of this information was instrumental in selecting a training program that follows the principles of a competency‐based methodology. This review coincides with the fourth anniversary of the creation of catsa and the fifth of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. The authors identify major airport security issues, opportunities and constraints dictated by the international context, and the main strategic and methodological alternatives.