A Primer to Traditional Knowledge Protection in India: The Road Ahead

Liverpool Law Review - As India moves ahead in the twenty-first century to be a global player, it must take a balanced and inclusive approach. Marginalized and vulnerable tribal communities make...     

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Removal from Home as a Primary, Secondary, or Disclaimed Trauma in Maltreated Adolescents

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common among maltreated youth but it remains unclear as to whether removal from home is as traumatizing as the maltreatment. This study examined 250 maltreated adolescents aged 11–17?years who were grouped on the basis of whether they (1) endorsed removal from home as their primary traumatic event, (2) endorsed removal from home as a secondary traumatic event, but not their primary traumatic event, or (3) did not endorse removal from home as traumatic. PTSD diagnoses as well as symptoms of PTSD, dissociation, depression, posttraumatic cognitions, and anger expression were measured. Adolescents who endorsed removal from home as their primary traumatic event reported significantly lower levels of PTSD and related symptoms than adolescents in the other groups. The findings are discussed within the context of transactions surrounding removal from home and support previous work that PTSD is a critical concern regarding many maltreated youth.     

Powder method for detecting latent fingerprints: a review

The powder technique for detecting latent fingerprints involves the application of a finely divided formulation to the fingermark impression, generally with a glass-fibre or a camel hair brush. The powder gets mechanically adhered to the sweat residue defining the ridge pattern. The furrows which are devoid of the fingerprint residue, do not adhere the powder onto them. The final outcome is that the powder formulation sticks to the ridges, but is easily blown off the furrows. Since the powder is normally coloured, the ridge pattern becomes visible and the latent print is said to have developed.     

Sequencing the intersections of printed strokes with writing instrument strokes using DocuCentre expert (PIA 6000-EDF)

Introduction of the digital techniques in document examination has encouraged the Forensic Document Examiners to work with better accuracy in non-destructive ways. In this study, the examination of sequence of intersecting strokes of printers (inkjet printer, laser printer, dot-matrix printer) and typewriters with writing instruments (gel ink pen, ballpoint pen and fountain pen) of different colors was carried out by using Docucenter Expert via PIA-6000 software utilizing extended depth of focus. The continuity of the stroke is the only characteristic which has been observed at the point of intersection.     

Correlates of Ideal Body Size Among Black and White Adolescents

Cultural differences have been found in body image perceptions among Black and White adolescents, however little is known about the factors associated with perceptions of an ideal body size (IBS). This study examined differences in correlates of IBS among 265 Black (116 girls and 62 boys) and White (63 girls and 24 boys) adolescents. IBS for White girls and boys was related to perceptions of how their parents wanted them to look, while IBS for Black girls was related to perception of how peers look and would like to look. IBS for Black boys was significantly related to perceptions of their current size, how peers would like to look, how parents think they look, and depressive symptoms. Findings suggest cultural differences in the factors related to body image perceptions and have implications for educational programs promoting healthy body image development among Black and White adolescents.Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center. Received PhD in Counseling Psychology from University of Missouri-Kansas City. Research interests include environmental and cultural correlates of obesity, obesity prevention, nicotine and tobacco addiction, and health promotion interventions.Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota. Received medical degree from Christian Medical College, Punjab, India, and Master of Public Health from University of Kansas School of Medicine. Research interests include diet and physical activity behaviors, role of the environment in obesity and obesity prevention, especially among children and adolescents.Research Associate, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center. Completing PhD in clinical psychology from University of Kansas and Master of Public Health from University of Kansas School of Medicine. Research interests include obesity prevention, smoking cessation, and positive psychology.Assistant Professor and Director, MPH Program, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center. Received MPH from Boston University and PhD in epidemiology from the University of California/San Diego State University. Research interests include behavioral epidemiology of tobacco use among adolescents and ethnic minorities.Professor of Medicine and School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Associate Director, Midwest Center for Health Services and Policy Research, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Director, Section of Health Promotion Research, Department of Medicine, University of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago. Received PhD in clinical psychology from Long Island University. Research interests include obesity prevention, binge eating, and cultural differences in eating behavior.Medical Epidemiologist, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Received MD and MPH from Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China and PhD from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. Research interests include the etiology, epidemiology, and prevention ofobesity, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes.Research Instructor, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center. Received MBBS from Allama Iqbal Medical College, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan and MPH from University of Kansas Medical Center. Research interests include smoking cessation, database design, implementation, data management and analysis, and use of information technology in health care settings.Professor Department of Medicine and Office of Clinical Research, University of Minnesota School of Medicine. Received MD/MPH from Tulane University and MS from Harvard School of Public Health. Research interests include disparities in healthcare; smoking cessation among underserved populations, specifically African Americans; diet, nutrition, obesity, and physical activity.     

Stature Estimation from Foot Length Using Universal Regression Formula in a North Indian Population

Abstract:  Stature is a significant parameter in establishing identity of an unknown. Conventionally, researchers derive regression formula separately for males and females. Sex, however, may not always be determined accurately, particularly in dismembered remains and thus the need for a universal regression formula for stature estimation irrespective of sex of an individual. The study was carried out in an endogamous group of North India to compare the accuracy of sex-specific regression models for stature estimation from foot length with the models derived when the sex was presumed as unknown. The study reveals that regression equation derived for the latter can estimate stature with reasonable accuracy. Thus, stature can be estimated accurately from foot length by regression analysis even when sex remains unknown.     

Differentiation of Cosmetic Foundation Creams Using Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: A Rapid and NonDestructive Approach in Trace Evidence Analysis

Cosmetic foundation creams are encountered as evidentiary material in criminal investigations, particularly in cases related to sexual and physical assault against women. Analyzing foundation cream exhibit is a challenging task as the exhibit is recovered in trace quantity with similar hue. In the present study, ATR FTIR spectroscopy which is a rapid, nondestructive, sensitive, reliable, and safe alternative to other analytical techniques has been used to differentiate 31 cosmetic foundation creams belonging to 23 different brands supported by chemometric methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The discriminating power of visual analysis is found to be 98.0%, while PCA and LDA further increased the discriminating power to 99.3% and 100%, respectively. The blind test is conducted with three unknown samples (pretended to be unknown to the analyst), which were correctly linked with their respective source. Further, the effect of substrate such as tissue paper (dry and wet) and white cotton cloth during sample analysis are also examined to simulate the actual forensic casework conditions. The stains on substrates could be identified and linked to its parent product as well. The reported method provides significant results for the differentiation of cosmetic foundation creams.     

Outcome measurement in forensic mental health research: an evaluation

Abstract

Measuring change resulting from healthcare interventions is critical to evaluating their usefulness. The choice of outcome measure is an important part of such evaluations and is driven by assumptions about what is likely to change and how best to capture this. Despite its importance, forensic mental health has paid little attention to determining which are the best measures of outcome. This study used a panel of relevant professionals to (i) assess the relative importance of different areas of potential outcome measurement and (ii) evaluate specific instruments used currently as outcome measures in forensic mental health research. Although a wide range of potential outcomes were endorsed as appropriate, few corresponding instruments have been used consistently. Only three psychiatric instruments deemed by our panel as feasible, relevant and psychometrically adequate have been used in five or more studies (the Beck Depression Inventory; the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, and the Symptom Checklist-90–Revised). Significant measurement gaps were noted in areas such as social and emotional functioning. Although instruments exist that could capture most areas, none were sufficiently developed for routine use as outcomes. Further research to develop robust, sensitive and diverse outcome measures is needed. This is an essential precursor to extending the evidence base for forensic mental health interventions.