Y chromosome haplotypes in Central-South Italy: implication for reference database

One hundred and fifty individuals have been sampled across Central-South Italy and genotyped for Y chromosome STRs by PowerPlex Y system. Comparison with previous Italian databases revealed that majority of Y chromosome variation still need to be sampled. Identification of locus duplications, distribution of genetic variation and firstly identified alleles point to the necessity of more focused sampling strategies for reference databases.     

Polymorphism of four X-chromosomal STRs: DXS7423, DXS7424, DXS8378 and DXS6809 in a North Italian population sample and their use in kinship testing

The present study analyses three tetranucleotide (DXS7423, DXS8378, DXS6809) and one trinucleotide (DXS7424) X-linked STRs loci in a population sample of North Italy to evaluate their efficiency in forensic applications. The four loci were also used to solve a case of deficiency paternity, in which the question was to establish whether two women were half sisters.     

Using an evolutionary perspective to understand the relationship between physical aggression and academic performance in late adolescents

In this study, we applied an evolutionary perspective to analyze the relationship between aggressiveness, academic performance, and sociality in a population of 528 adolescents of both sexes. In men, we expect physical aggression (PA) and sociality to be negative predictors of academic performance. However, in women, PA would be a negative predictor of academic performance, and sociality a positive one. Our results report a negative association between academic performance and PA in both sexes. As we expected, social effect derived from the use of PA seems to be different for each sex, where men could display a rebellious attitude to increase chances of finding a mate. In contrast, results for women are not conclusive, because no relationship between academic performance and any aggressive mechanism, were predicted by sociality. We conclude that an evolutionary framework, which includes sex-specific hypotheses, is appropriate to obtain a holistic perspective of this phenomenon.     

欧盟关于知识产权执法的建议

在中国、印度等发展中国家为达到《与贸易有关的知识产权的协议》(TRIPS)规定的知识产权保护标准而努力的时候,欧美等发达国家提出了知识产权保护的更高的标准。此种动向,值得我国业内人士关注。2003年,欧洲委员会提出的欧盟关于加强知识产权执法的建议,其中就提出了一些超TRIPS(TRIPS-Plus)的条款。在一次国际研讨会上,欧洲委员会贸易司主管官员Christophe De Vroey先生介绍了这项新建议以及欧盟有关知识产权保护的一些最新进展。应我们之约,Vroey先生特将讲话稿作了修改,以符合本刊发表的要求。在此,我们对Christophe De Vroey先生的帮助表示感谢。     

The Utility of Skeletal and Surgical Features for the Personal Identification Process: A Pilot Study

This pilot study provides a conceptual framework for the application of the anthropological analysis of skeletal features and surgical interventions for the purpose of identification in cases of unknown deceased individuals with unavailable fingerprint, genetic or odontological antemortem data. The study sample includes 276 individuals with known demographic and clinical information from the Italian CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection. In the sample, 124 (45%) individuals showed one or more skeletal features that may be potentially individualizing. Of these, 79% showed two and more features, which occurred in a multitude of different combinations. Skeletal findings may provide useful postmortem information that can be compared with antemortem witness statements and clinical imaging. However, more research into the utility of dry bone findings and the availability of comparative material, including imaging, and epidemiological data needs to be undertaken before skeletal features can be implemented into identification protocols and databases.     

Ridge Width Correlations between Inked Prints and Powdered Latent Fingerprints

A methodology to estimate the time of latent fingerprint deposition would be of great value to law enforcement and courts. It has been observed that ridge topography changes as latent prints age, including the widths of ridges that could be measured as a function of time. Crime suspects are commonly identified using fingerprint databases that contain reference inked tenprints (flat and rolled impressions). These can be of interest in aging studies as they provide baseline information relating to the original (nonaged) ridges’ widths. In practice, the age of latent fingerprints could be estimated following a comparison process between the evidentiary aged print and the corresponding reference inked print. The present article explores possible correlations between inked and fresh latent fingerprints deposited on different substrates and visualized with TiO₂. The results indicate that the ridge width of flat inked prints is most similar to fresh latent fingerprints_, and these should be used as the comparison standard for future aging studies.     

Age Estimation of Infants Through Metric Analysis of Developing Anterior Deciduous Teeth

This study provides regression equations for estimation of age of infants from the dimensions of their developing deciduous teeth. The sample comprises 97 individuals of known sex and age (62 boys, 35 girls), aged between 2 days and 1,081 days. The age‐estimation equations were obtained for the sexes combined, as well as for each sex separately, thus including “sex” as an independent variable. The values of the correlations and determination coefficients obtained for each regression equation indicate good fits for most of the equations obtained. The “sex” factor was statistically significant when included as an independent variable in seven of the regression equations. However, the “sex” factor provided an advantage for age estimation in only three of the equations, compared to those that did not include “sex” as a factor. These data suggest that the ages of infants can be accurately estimated from measurements of their developing deciduous teeth.     

Are DNA data a valid source to study the spatial behavior of unknown offenders?

Studying the spatial behaviour of unknown offenders (i.e. undetected offenders) is difficult, because police recorded crime data do not contain information about these offenders. Recently, forensic DNA data has been used to study unknown offenders. However, DNA data are only a subset of the crimes committed by unknown offenders stored in police recorded crime data. To establish the suitability of DNA data for studying the spatial offending behaviour of unknown offenders, we examine the concentration and spatial similarity of detected but unsolved crimes in police recorded crime data (N?=?181,483) and DNA data (N?=?1913) over 27 Belgian judicial districts for four crime types. We established spatial similarity for certain crime types (in some districts). This offers opportunities for DNA data to be used to study unknown offenders' spatial offending behaviour. Implications for theory and research are discussed.     

多元治理视野下的多规合一——以浙江省试点县（市）为例

文章运用一元为主、多元辅补的多元治理理论分析方法,对浙江省试点县（市）“多规合一”的协调机制、编制主体、审批机制和空间管控进行了系统分析,总结提炼出“多规合一”四方面的成效,为今后其他地区“多规合一”编制工作提供经验借鉴。研究发现：一是试点地区“多规合一”的成效明显;二是本文将多中心治理理论中国化为“一元为主、多元辅补”的多元治理的理论,并用以分析“多规合一”的现状、成果、缺憾及完善路径是有效的。因此,文章研究结论为现行“多规合一”还需要从政策法律体系、编制机构和公众参与等方面完善。     

Did Covid-19 Change Armed Group Governance? Evidence from a Survey of Local Security Authorities in Colombia

As the Covid-19 pandemic began, initial reports suggested that armed groups would seize the opportunity to expand their control over territory and civilians. However, drawing on an original survey of local security officials responsible for monitoring armed group behaviour in Colombia, we find little evidence of significant shifts in the presence or behaviour of political or criminal groups. Contrary to prevailing expectations, we also find that armed group governance is common in areas contested by multiple groups. Our findings shed new light on armed group adaptation to shocks, and challenge the assumption that territorial control is a prerequisite for governance.