Stress-related temporary hearing loss--evaluation of bio-humoral parameters: forensic and criminological applications

The body-alarm reaction results from the activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which can lead to physio-psychological phenomena such as an exclusion/occlusion of the sense of hearing. One hypothesis to explain this alteration consists in a hydromechanical dysfunction of the internal ear attributable to antidiuretic hormone. In this study, we evaluated the perception of acoustic stimuli administered in stressful conditions in 14 phobic patients and in 20 healthy subjects, in order to assess the influence of stress on perceiving capabilities. We also measured the concentration of salivary cortisol and IL-1β and neurovegetative parameters to objectivise and quantify the physiological reactions. Our results show a worse perception of the frequencies of the human voice under stress; these findings could have a dual value: in the legal field, concerning criminal liability, and on the operative context, regarding the efficiency of verbal communication among law enforcement officers in situations inducing intense emotional stress.     

Discrimination of paper-based kraft tapes using Fourier transform of transmitted light images

This study focused on two-dimensional fast Fourier transform (2D-FFT) as a new technique for the discrimination of kraft tapes, which is a kind of adhesive packing tape. The 2D power spectrum (2D-PS) obtained by applying 2D-FFT to an image enables us to obtain information about the spatial periodicity, even if the periodicity is invisible within the image. However, in the case of kraft tape, peaks in the 2D-PS are too unclear to determine its periodicity. We developed novel analytical image processes combined with 2D-FFT. 2D-FFT was applied to 50 randomly selected areas in a transmitted light image of kraft tape. The 2D-PSs were calculated from each area without applying a logarithmic transformation, accumulated, and processed by the removal of the area surrounding the center, and finally normalized for visualization. These processes enhanced the peaks and eliminated local variations. Through an intra-roll comparison, the 2D-PSs collected from a roll were similar in the location of the peaks and in their patterns at low frequency area. Using an inter-roll comparison, the 2D-PSs from 50 commercially available brand-name products were classified into 26 groups based on these peaks and patterns. All results demonstrate that this method, which is convenient, rapid, and non-destructive, could be a valuable tool for the identification of kraft tapes.     

Personality Profiles of Special Force Police Officers

The present study was aimed at investigating whether different personality profiles could be found among Italian police Special Force (SF) officers. Our hypothesis was that different personality profiles would be found, and that they would differ with respect to psychological and organizational functioning. This conjecture was tested on anonymously collected Big Five scores of all members of a 'Reparto Mobile' unit (n?=?289) by means of a Two-Step cluster analysis. Two distinct personality profiles were found: two-thirds of participants showed a personality profile that was quite similar to the general population, with the exception of a higher self-reported emotional stability and self-deceptive enhancement, while the remaining third showed higher levels of any personality domain than both the other cluster and the general population. These officers also endorsed lower scores in measures of depression, anxiety, professional exhaustion, loss of empathy, and higher scores in a measure of organizational resilience, suggesting that they may represent the most suitable personnel for the delicate tasks their unit usually has to accomplish. In addition, self-deceptive enhancement emerged as a likely personality trait of police SF officers.     

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Within a Social Disadvantage Framework: Distinguishing Unique, Cumulative, and Moderated Contributions to Adult Mental Health

The deleterious impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) may be confounded with frequently co-occurring social disadvantage. In this analysis we test the effects of ACE on adult mental health within a social disadvantage framework, using a population-based survey (n?=?7,444; mean age?=?55.2 years) from Washington State. We also examined the protective effects of socioemotional support, and the distinct and combined contribution of the measured ACE factors. Results demonstrated sustained impact of ACE on mental health many decades later, even net of social disadvantage and demographic contributors. Protective factors provided both direct and moderating influences, potentially masking the elevated effects of ACE for those with few resources. Toxicity examination of ACE items evinced differential effects of ACE experiences on mental health. These results demonstrate that interventions ameliorating the effects of ACE and bolstering protective resources such as socioemotional support may be effective toward augmenting mental health even late in life.     

The European Community and the Adoption of International Food Standards within the Codex Alimentarius Commission

Abstract: This article examines the way the European Community defends its interests in food safety matters within the Codex Alimentarius Commission. It shows that the European Community has strengthened its position as a policymaker within the Codex Commission. It also describes how the European members of the Codex Commission engaged (with mixed results) in the defence of certain principles typical of European food policy. These controversial principles are the precautionary principle, the need to consider factors other than science in determining food standards, and the need to label and make traceable food derived from biotechnology. Lastly, the article evaluates the function of the Codex Commission. Since, in at least two cases the discussions within the Codex Commission did not prevent WTO litigation, the value of the Codex Commission may be questioned. However, the overall assessment of the Codex Commission's activity is positive, since it provides an important and not easily replaceable forum to debate food safety issues, which are particularly sensitive for Codex members of the European Community.     

Computer-Animated Displays and the Jury: Facilitative and Prejudicial Effects

Two experiments assessed the effects of computer-animated displays on mock jurors. In both, participants watched a trial involving a dispute over whether a man who fell to his death had accidentally slipped or jumped in a suicide. They watched a proplaintiff or prodefendant version in which the body landed 5–10 feet or 20–25 feet from the building. Within each condition, the distance testimony was presented orally or with an animated display. When the tape depicted the event in a neutral manner, judgments were more consistent with the physical evidence. But when the plaintiff and defense used the tape to depict their own partisan theories, participants increasingly made judgments that contradicted the physical evidence. Results suggest that computer-animated displays have greater impact than oral testimony. Whether that impact is to facilitate or mislead a jury, however, depends on the nature of the display.