Pilot Study of Automated Bullet Signature Identification Based on Topography Measurements and Correlations*†

Abstract: A procedure for automated bullet signature identification is described based on topography measurements using confocal microscopy and correlation calculation. Automated search and retrieval systems are widely used for comparison of firearms evidence. In this study, 48 bullets fired from six different barrel manufacturers are classified into different groups based on the width class characteristic for each land engraved area of the bullets. Then the cross‐correlation function is applied both for automatic selection of the effective correlation area, and for the extraction of a 2D bullet profile signature. Based on the cross‐correlation maximum values, a list of top ranking candidates against a ballistics signature database of bullets fired from the same model firearm is developed. The correlation results show a 9.3% higher accuracy rate compared with a currently used commercial system based on optical reflection. This suggests that correlation results can be improved using the sequence of methods described here.     

Who is better for handling domestic violence? A comparison between Taiwanese female and male Officers

This study examined Taiwanese female and male police officers’ perceptions of handling domestic violence. Specifically, it assessed officers’ attitudes toward whether female officers, male officers, or a combination of female and male officers are more suited for handling cases of battered women, offenders, and domestic violence overall. Survey data were collected from 96 female and 156 male officers from two police departments in Taiwan. Frequency distributions showed that a combination of male and female officers were most preferred by officers for handling abused women, offenders, and domestic violence overall. Regression analysis found that female officers were significantly more likely than male officers to favor a combination of male and female officers over female officers alone for handling battered women. Female officers were found to be more likely than male officers to favor male over female officers and a combination of male and female officers for handling offenders. Police supervisors’ attitudes toward domestic violence also influenced officers’ attitudes toward who is more suited for handling offenders. Implications for future research and policy are discussed.     

上海市奉贤区医疗纠纷防范研究

目的：通过本课题研究,探索我区医疗纠纷、事故防范的有效机制与手段,降低医疗事故的发生,确保医疗安全。方法：以2004年8月课题立项研究为时间界限,设对照组与干预组,对照组：取自2002年9月--2004年8月间所引发医疗纠纷、事故的主要原因作研究对比材料;干预组：取自2004年9月－2006年8月间的相关材料,二组资料作回顾性对比分析。结果：通过法制宣传、业务培训、专题研讨、学术交流、案例分析、加强督查等一系列干预措施。医疗投诉、受理鉴定、事故的发生率分别下降10.0％、44．5％、15．4％;医疗总体质量提高5．1％、社会满意度得到进一步提高。结论：提高医务人员的业务素质、强化防范意识、规范操作流程、改善暇务态度是降低医疗纠纷、事故的关键所在。     

China＇ s Land ＆ Sea Frontiers and Strategic Thinking

Land frontiers and territorial seas are important to a country’s development and security.The issue of frontiers should be considered and dealt with within the country’s overall strategy of diplomacy and security.It should never be dealt with in isolation as some members of the     

A Legacy of Harm: Punitive Drug Policies and Women’s Carceral Experiences in Canada

There is limited research on the gendered impacts of drug policies in Canada, despite the fact that women, Indigenous women in particular, are the country’s fastest growing prisoner population, with many incarcerated for drug-related crimes. This article highlights the results of a larger qualitative study with former prisoners in Ontario and community and medical experts from across the country. Focusing on the women research participants, we consider the lack of adequate and culturally-relevant substance use and harm reduction programming in federal prisons, and suggest a reformulation of Canada’s punitive drug policies toward a health and social welfare approach.     

A Prototype of Mathematical Treatment of Pen Pressure Data for Signature Verification

A prototype using simple mathematical treatment of the pen pressure data recorded by a digital pen movement recording device was derived. In this study, a total of 48 sets of signature and initial specimens were collected. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to compare the data of the pen pressure patterns. From the 820 pair comparisons of the 48 sets of genuine signatures, a high degree of matching was found in which 95.4% (782 pairs) and 80% (656 pairs) had rPA > 0.7 and rPA > 0.8, respectively. In the comparison of the 23 forged signatures with their corresponding control signatures, 20 of them (89.2% of pairs) had rPA values < 0.6, showing a lower degree of matching when compared with the results of the genuine signatures. The prototype could be used as a complementary technique to improve the objectivity of signature examination and also has a good potential to be developed as a tool for automated signature identification.     

违法所得没收特别程序的性质与案件范围

新《刑事诉讼法》确立的违法所得没收特别程序在性质上属于程序障碍情况下实施的刑事没收中针对某些犯罪案件而特别设计的程序,2012年底最高人民法院、最高人民检察院的新司法解释扩张其案件范围的规定,实为将两种在制度目的、制度原理与立法技术等方面不同的没收制度一并纳入特别程序之中,这种设计在制度结构上存在不合理性,应有所调整。     

Criminal attitudes and psychopathic personality attributes of youth gang offenders in Singapore

Gang-affiliated youth are responsible for a disproportionate amount of serious and violent offenses. However, there is scant focus on the psychological variables that could be important for treatment planning and program development. Awareness of these variables is important for treatment planning and program development and also, potentially, for understanding which youth may be attracted to gangs. This study compared the criminal attitudes and psychopathic personality attributes of gang- and nongang-affiliated youth offenders (N=168) residing in youth correctional institutions in Singapore. Multivariate analyses indicated that favorable attitudes toward gangs (ATG), violence, and criminal associates remained significantly associated with gang membership after accounting for favorable attitudes toward violence and criminal associates, as well as increased attitudes of entitlement and impulsive/irresponsible traits. These attitudes were likely to perpetuate gang affiliation and criminal behavior, and thus should be a focus for intervention and rehabilitation efforts.     

Labor and democratization in South Korea and Taiwan

The article examines the recent work by Rueschemeyer et. al. (1992) and revisits the classic issue of the social basis of democracy. It argues that Rueschemeyer et al. are biased in their definition of democracy, have focused too narrowly on the postures of individuals classes, and have produced a one-sided picture of the role of the workers in democratization. Using the experiences of South Korea and Taiwan, the article argues that the extent of workers's involvement in the democratic struggle depends on their experiences of state domination. The latter, in turn, is influenced by the workers' market positions and the nature of the labor regime in question. The article also argues that workers affect democratization in a macro-structural sense, both by influencing the agenda of the oppositional movement and by shaping the contour of socio-political conflict of society.     

论犯罪心理痕迹的利用

犯罪心理痕迹是指犯罪行为作用于犯罪现场空间而引起的一切能揭示犯罪心理的现象和状态。利用犯罪心理痕迹揭示犯罪心理符合心理学原理。犯罪心理痕迹概念的引入 ,丰富了侦查科学的内涵 ,使现场勘查所涉及的客体更加丰满 ,也为侦查人员揭露、证实犯罪增添了重要依据。利用犯罪心理痕迹可以扩大犯罪信息来源 ,有利于识别犯罪伪装 ,可以促进物质痕迹和意识痕迹的收集 ,提升物质痕迹与意识痕迹的利用价值 ,犯罪心理痕迹还是分析研究犯罪分子心理活动、现场情境和案情的重要依据。犯罪心理痕迹的收集 ,通常是在收集整理犯罪各种痕迹的基础上 ,对各种痕迹、各种现象状态以及其相互关系的观察、分析、记录而实现。犯罪心理痕迹的利用 ,是逆向地从犯罪人行为活动所遗留的心理痕迹入手分析案情、刻画罪犯、追溯犯罪人的过程。