Is the appearance of macrophages in pulmonary tissue related to time of asphyxia?

In order to connect the appearance of macrophages and giant cells in pulmonary tissue with the time of asphyxia the authors analyzed 50 asphyxiated human lungs paying their attention on the number of alveolar and interstitial macrophages and giant cells. They compared histological specimens of 25 asphixiated humans lungs following a slow asphyxia (30 min or more) with 25 histological specimens of asphyxiated human lungs following a rapid asphyxia (10-15 min). Alveolar and interstitial macrophages and giant cells per section, were considered and numbered. Controls were done on histological examination of traumatized lungs. In the pulmonary alveoli following on acute asphyxia there were 27.7+/-4.4 macrophages per section. Subjects dead after a slow asphyxiation showed 68.2+/-7.1 alveolar macrophages per section (p<0.001). Interstitial macrophages were also frequently present. No differences are detectable in the number of polynuclear giant cells between rapidly and slowly asphyxiated human lungs. The number of alveolar and interstitial macrophages per section can be considered as a further histological evidence of a slow asphyxia and can differentiate a slow asphyxia from an acute one.     

Image matching algorithms for breech face marks and firing pins in a database of spent cartridge cases of firearms

On the market several systems exist for collecting spent ammunition data for forensic investigation. These databases store images of cartridge cases and the marks on them. Image matching is used to create hit lists that show which marks on a cartridge case are most similar to another cartridge case. The research in this paper is focused on the different methods of feature selection and pattern recognition that can be used for optimizing the results of image matching.The images are acquired by side light images for the breech face marks and by ring light for the firing pin impression. For these images a standard way of digitizing the images used. For the side light images and ring light images this means that the user has to position the cartridge case in the same position according to a protocol. The positioning is important for the sidelight, since the image that is obtained of a striation mark depends heavily on the angle of incidence of the light. In practice, it appears that the user positions the cartridge case with +/-10 degrees accuracy.We tested our algorithms using 49 cartridge cases of 19 different firearms, where the examiner determined that they were shot with the same firearm. For testing, these images were mixed with a database consisting of approximately 4900 images that were available from the Drugfire database of different calibers.In cases where the registration and the light conditions among those matching pairs was good, a simple computation of the standard deviation of the subtracted gray levels, delivered the best-matched images. For images that were rotated and shifted, we have implemented a "brute force" way of registration. The images are translated and rotated until the minimum of the standard deviation of the difference is found. This method did not result in all relevant matches in the top position. This is caused by the effect that shadows and highlights are compared in intensity. Since the angle of incidence of the light will give a different intensity profile, this method is not optimal.For this reason a preprocessing of the images was required. It appeared that the third scale of the "à trous" wavelet transform gives the best results in combination with brute force. Matching the contents of the images is less sensitive to the variation of the lighting.The problem with the brute force method is however that the time for calculation for 49 cartridge cases to compare between them, takes over 1 month of computing time on a Pentium II-computer with 333MHz. For this reason a faster approach is implemented: correlation in log polar coordinates. This gave similar results as the brute force calculation, however it was computed in 24h for a complete database with 4900 images.A fast pre-selection method based on signatures is carried out that is based on the Kanade Lucas Tomasi (KLT) equation. The positions of the points computed with this method are compared. In this way, 11 of the 49 images were in the top position in combination with the third scale of the à trous equation. It depends however on the light conditions and the prominence of the marks if correct matches are found in the top ranked position. All images were retrieved in the top 5% of the database. This method takes only a few minutes for the complete database if, and can be optimized for comparison in seconds if the location of points are stored in files.For further improvement, it is useful to have the refinement in which the user selects the areas that are relevant on the cartridge case for their marks. This is necessary if this cartridge case is damaged and other marks that are not from the firearm appear on it.     

评阿兰·沃森的《法律移植:比较法的方法》

<正> 爱丁堡大学民法教授阿兰·沃森在其《法律移植:比较法的方法》(Legal Transplants:An Approach to Comparative Law,佛吉尼亚大学出版社,1974年版)一书中试图证实比较法是一门学科。沃森教授提出:"比较法是研究有关法律的本质,特别是有关法律发展的本质的学科。"其主要功能在于使人了解"决定法律发展进程的独特因素。" 然而,研究十六世纪在鲁瑞斯坦(本文作者杜撰的国家)以特殊形式出现的独特的法律     

Discriminating red spray paints by optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence

Red spray paints from different European suppliers were characterised to determine the discriminating power of a sequence of analysing techniques. A total of 51 red spray paints were analysed with the help of three techniques: (1) optical microscopy, (2) Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and (3) X-ray fluorescence. Infrared spectra were classified according to binder type, filler and pigment composition and a searchable spectral library was created. Due to the difference in the elemental composition of spray paints, a further discrimination was possible. The microscopic analysis was not taken into consideration for classification purposes. The structure of the substrate under a paint coating strongly affects the surface characteristics of this spray paint. Together with the spectral library, a database of information of spray paints was build.     

STR data for the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus from the eastern and western sections of Mediterranean region of Turkey

Allele frequencies of the 10 STR loci (D16S539, D2S1338, D3S1358, vWA, D18S51, D21S11, D8S1179, D19S433, FGA and TH01) included in the AmpFlSTR SGM Plus kit were determined in 107 unrelated individuals from the eastern section and 108 unrelated individuals from western section of Mediterranean region of Turkey. The expected performance of these loci for personal identification and paternity testing in these populations were estimated.     

X-ray mapping technique: a preliminary study in discriminating gunshot residue particles from aggregates of environmental occupational origin

The possibility of detection of lead-antimony-barium aggregates from non-firearm sources is confirmed according to the tests performed on brake pads, and firework and automobile workers. Moreover, information on particles taken from cartridge cases shows the relative feeble importance of the morphology in distinguishing gunshot residues (GSRs). Furthermore, also the presence in the spectrum of other elements (e.g., iron) is not so conclusive. In this panorama, the possibility of discriminating gunshot residue particles from other non-firearm lead-antimony-barium aggregates is investigated: the proposed method is based on X-ray mapping technique--currently applied used in Reparto Carabinieri Investigazioni Scientifiche in Rome, the forensic service of Italian Carabinieri--according to which the spatial distribution of the emission energy of each element of the sample is pictured. Gunshot residues present the same lead-antimony-barium distribution (or at least the same antimony-barium distribution with lead nodules), as some other environmental occupational aggregates do not (different plaques of lead, antimony, and barium). So, X-ray mapping technique can offer a new fundamental evaluation parameter in analysis of gunshot residues with scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive (SEM/EDS) spectrometry, and new standards could be considered.     

Computer aided shot reconstructions by means of individualized animated three-dimensional victim models

In cases of lethal firearm injuries with indefinite indications concerning self-versus third-party infliction a computer enhanced reconstruction with the aim of an anatomical feasibility study can provide significant clues concerning the course of the traumatic event.To this end an exact three-dimensional geometrical model of the victim including all relevant anatomical data as well as the careful documentation of the injuries and a three-dimensional model of the characteristic outlines of the weapon true to scale is generated with the help of an animation program (POSER Version 4, Meta Creation, Egisys AG).With this animated digital three-dimensional model of the victim and the weapon a series of simulation sequences is created by variation of the body positions and the grasp of the weapon. Anatomically impossible positions in view of the physical characteristics of the victim and the site and direction of the bullet path are automatically excluded from the reconstruction. An exact match of the simulation sequence and the real injuries is a statement for a possible self-infliction of the gunshot wound.     

中国的后李斯特主义崛起

虽然对于中国崛起已经有很多讨论,但是对中国崛起的含义仍有争议。争论的关键在于中国崛起是对全球范围的新自由主义霸权的挑战还是进一步巩固了全球范围的新自由主义霸权。本文批判地考察了激进全球化理论的一些关键假设,具体来说,就是中国代表着另一种形式的"竞争型国家",其发展抱负已经从根本上受到全球"新     

青少年刑事司法视野中的英国骚乱处置研究——以2011年8月伦敦骚乱处置为分析对象

2011年8月,伦敦北部托特纳姆区暴发大规模骚乱,并席卷伦敦和整个英格兰地区的多个大城市.青少年是暴乱的主要参与者,并乘着社会秩序的混乱,大肆打砸抢,造成了大量的人身和财产上的损害.在本案后续的刑事司法处置过程中,法院侧重于考察青少年群体性暴力整体、罪行恶性程度、社会和谐秩序受损程度,而不应该过多虑及暴乱参与者的原始动机.这种司法处置策略与英格兰地区长期以来处理大型暴乱的一贯刑事审判方针是一脉相承的.这对我国处理2012年10月中日钓鱼岛事件引发的打砸抢等影响社会安全的突发事件——尤其是对于当前尚未进行的刑事审判活动——具有积极的参考意义.