Evaluation of the modified zinc test and the acid phosphatase test as preliminary screening methods in sexual assault case material.

The modified zinc test and a commercially available acid phosphatase test were compared as to their screening parameters according to the microscopical finding of spermatozoa in cases of alleged sexual assault. The study involved 65 pieces of evidence material. It was found that the modified zinc test has a higher sensitivity and higher predictive values than the acid phosphatase test. However, when both tests are combined in parallel, the sensitivity and the negative predictive value could be raised to 99%. This finding suggests that a negative result obtained from the parallel combination of the modified zinc test and the acid phosphatase test predicts very well that no spermatozoa will be found at microscopical examination. Since the latter technique is the only one to give absolute proof of the seminal origin of stains or traces, the parallel combination of the zinc test and the acid phosphatase test might be useful in sorting out these cases or materials that deserve further investigation by more elaborate techniques.     

Assessment of assertion and problem-solving skills in wife abusers and their spouses

The present study provided an assessment of assertion and problem solving skills in couples characterized by wife abuse. A role play test and problem solving interaction task were administered to couples who were (a) physically abusive, (b) maritally discordant but nonviolent, and (c) satisfactorily married. Results indicated that members of abusive dyads exhibited deficits on selected behavioral components of assertion. However, few differences were observed between these dyads and the maritally discordant, nonviolent condition. Findings are discussed in terms of (1) the need for further evaluation of interpersonal skill variables in physically abusive males, (2) issues in selection of measures and subjects, and (3) the need to consider the possible interactive effects of multiple factors in family violence research.     

Police officer perceptions of promotion as a source of motivation

This article is an examination of the role of promotion in police motivation. Promotion represents only one source of motivation within the police department, but it is considered to be a significant source. Officers from two Connecticut Police Departments were used in this study, and Q-Methodology was used. The study investigated the need structure (which needs were important) of police officers, and the extent to which promotion satisfied need. The results indicated that officers felt higher order needs were more important than lower order needs. Moreover, officers were divided over the instrumentality of promotion fulfilling their needs, and there were demographic characteristics which appeared to contribute to these differences.     

Principles and juridical limits to human embryo research]

This work intends to provide a wide scope of the legal situation in Brazil referred to Human Embryos and how it has been developed through the 20th century. Across the last century, the human being got the possibility of making genetic experiments with human embryos. Our main goal is to assume the future responsibility of these actions through a juridical and ethical point of view.     

In vitro changes in human spermatozoa exposed to gastric juice: laboratory findings as a support for forensic practice

Samples of complete human semen were incubated in gastric juice for different time periods at 37 degrees C, and by simulating the post-mortem temperature decrease of the human body. The changes in the spermatozoa were similar in both experiments. Short incubation specimens were examined directly with interference contrast microscopy and showed an almost immediate immobilization of spermatozoa when they were brought in contact with gastric juice. Specimens with longer incubation periods were stained with alcalic fuchsine and examined by immersion microscopy. There was a morphologically stable plateau for the heads of the spermatozoa for up to 6 h of incubation. The tails disappeared progressively in the first 45 min. After more than 6 h of incubation a progressive swelling and lysis of the heads was observed. Spermatozoa could be recognized for up to 7 days of incubation.     

The Influence of Le Monde Coverage on French Foreign Aid Allocations

This study explores the role that Le Monde coverage plays in the allocation of French development aid. It is expected that foreign policy officials will try to match the magnitude of their actions with what they expect is the public's perception of the importance of the aid recipient. News media salience serves as an easily accessible indicator of that domestic political importance and, in the case of foreign aid, this suggests that higher levels of news coverage of a less developed country will lead to higher aid commitments. Statistical analyses of French aid commitments during the period 1986–1998 demonstrate that while the most important predictor of foreign aid is the official adoption of the French language by the aid recipient, the levels of Le Monde coverage are consistently and significantly correlated with levels of French foreign aid.