An Assessment of the Utility of Universal and Specific Genetic Markers for Opium Poppy Identification

Abstract: The proper identification of illicit plants such as Papaver somniferum L (opium poppy) is important for law enforcement agencies. The identification of opium poppy was presently tested using 10 genetic markers that are universal for all plants or specific to a few poppy plants. The genetic distances of universal markers such as nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 18S rRNA, plastid rbcL, and trnL‐trnF intergenic spacer (IGS) of 14 species included in the Papaveraceae and Fumariaceae family were acquired by sequence comparisons. Both the ITS region and trnL‐trnF IGS showed high levels of interspecific divergence. Six Papaver genera‐specific markers were developed from coding regions involved in morphine biosynthesis. Three markers (TYDC, NCS, and BBE) produced amplicons only in opium poppy, providing a presence/absence test for opium poppy, while three additional markers (CYP80B1, SAT, and COR) were genus specific. These 10 markers might be useful for the forensic DNA analysis of opium poppy.     

Where juvenile serious offenders live: A neighborhood analysis of Wayne County, Michigan

This study investigated the relationship between neighborhood factors and juvenile serious offenders in Wayne County, Michigan. Wayne County is home to Detroit, a city with a glorious past but a bleak future. Administrative data were linked to tract-level census characteristics that proxy for social disorganization structural factors. Results by negative binomial regressions found significant associations in the expected direction with concentrated disadvantage, concentrated affluence, and inequality. Concentrated immigration, however, was insignificantly related to juvenile serious offending, and residential stability increased rather than decreased offending. These counter-theoretical results might be due to the presence of homes inhabited by students and young professionals and the vibrant Latino immigrant communities. The stark contrasts this analysis documented, combined with the high correlation of economic conditions to juvenile crime, demand urgent and radical responses to completely transform impoverished neighborhoods in Wayne County.     

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.     

The ‘relics of Joan of Arc’: A forensic multidisciplinary analysis

Archaeological remains can provide concrete cases, making it possible to develop, refine or validate medico-legal techniques.In the case of the so-called ‘Joan of Arc's relics’ (a group of bone and archaeological remains known as the ‘Bottle of Chinon’), 14 specialists analysed the samples such as a cadaver X of carbonised aspect: forensic anthropologist, medical examiners, pathologists, geneticists, radiologist, biochemists, palynologists, zoologist and archaeologist. Materials, methods and results of this study are presented here.This study aims to offer an exploitable methodology for the modern medico-legal cases of small quantities of human bones of carbonised aspect.     

人民监督员制度调查分析

人民监督员制度是检察机关从自身完善检察权运行机制,加强外部监督制约出发而推行的一项司法改革制度。该制度体现了司法民主和正当程序的要求。对人民监督员制度要重视基础理论研究,加强立法、提升该制度的立法层级,明确程序、优化制度设计,加强实效性。     

Charter rights & health care funding: a typology of Canadian health rights litigation

Canadian health consumers have increasingly relied on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms to demand certain therapies and reasonably timely access to care. Organizing these cases into a 5-part typology, we examine how a rights-based discourse affects allocation of health care resources. First, successful Charter challenges can, in theory, lead to courts granting and enforcing positive rights to therapies or to timely care. Second, courts may grant a right to certain health services; however, subsequently government fails to deliver on this right. Third, successful litigation may create negative rights, i.e. rights to access care or private health insurance without government interference. Fourth, consumers can fail in their legal pursuit of a right but galvanize public support in the process, ultimately effecting the desired policy changes. Lastly, a failed lawsuit can stifle an entire advocacy campaign for the sought-after therapies. The typology illustrates the need to examine both legal and policy outcomes of health right litigation. This broader analysis reveals that the pursuit of health rights seems to have caused largely a regressive rather than progressive impact on Canadian Medicare.     

谁在阅读宪法——当代中国宪法实施的一个观察

阅读宪法是获得宪法知识的前提,是培养宪法意识的基础。阅读宪法人数多寡反映宪法在民众生活中的地位。为了工作查阅宪法文本,又是宪法实施、发挥宪法规范作用的重要体现,是宪法实施评价的重要指标。围绕谁在阅读宪法,为什么阅读宪法等问题进行调查,并对阅读宪法意义进行初步分析,可见宪法在人们的工作中被广泛查阅,我国宪法并非被闲置。     

试析国际能源环境对印度经济崛起的影响

印度经济的崛起加快了工业化和城市化进程,印度经济越来越依赖国际能源,对国际能源环境的变化日益敏感。国际能源环境主要通过能源市场中的价格波动形式和国际能源政治格局的变化以及两者互动来影响印度经济崛起的进程。基于此,文章认为印度的能源战略需立足于经济崛起的长期性和战略性,减轻国际能源环境变化带来的敏感性和脆弱性,为经济崛起提高稳定、高效的能源保障。     

应用枕骨大孔面积判定性别的研究进展

性别是个体识别的主要生物学指标之一,是法医学鉴定不明骨骼残骸的重要初始步骤。枕骨大孔因其解剖学位置的隐匿性、形态学的稳定性、性别与种族的差异性成为法医学性别判定的研究热点,其中枕骨大孔面积是枕骨大孔区域中进行性别判定准确率较高的指标之一。本文以枕骨大孔面积为主要研究对象,就国外学者通过干颅骨样本、CT影像、CBCT影像测量枕骨大孔面积判定性别的方法进行总结,对国内应用枕骨大孔面积进行性别判定研究提供参考。     

影响性刑事冤假错案的产生、纠错、追责与民意的关联考察——以22起影响性刑事冤假错案为主要研究范本

民意的影响是冤假错案产生的诱因之一。不理性的民意极易虚构出貌似合理的"案件事实"并以此给司法机关施压。基于民意的压力,司法机关往往更多注重有罪证据,忽视无罪证据。命案必破、限期破案、疑罪从轻等刑事政策、司法理念,都是对民意诉求的顺应,也是促成冤假错案的诱因。民意对影响性冤假错案的纠错有积极意义,但仍应回归法治轨道。样本案件中,民意推进了冤假错案纠错程序的启动、纠错的及时,但没有制度化。民众对司法活动的认知不够理性,对错案追责的民意表达亦非建立在理性认知的基础之上。我国有必要培育理性的民意,形成民意与刑事司法的良性互动。