Application of Postmortem 3D‐CT Facial Reconstruction for Personal Identification*

Abstract: Postmortem computed tomography (CT) images can show internal findings related to the cause of death, and it can be a useful method for forensic diagnosis. In this study, we scanned a ready‐made box by helical CT on 2‐mm slices in a mobile CT scanner and measured each side of the box to assess whether reconstructed images are useful for superimposition. The mean difference between the actual measurements and the measurements on the three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructed images (3D‐CT images) is 0.9 mm; we regarded it as having no effect on reconstruction for the superimposition method. Furthermore, we could get 3D‐CT images of the skull, which were consistent with the actual skull, indicating that CT images can be applied to superimposition for identification. This study suggested that postmortem CT images can be applied as superimpositions for unidentified cases, and thinner slices or cone beam CT can be a more precise tool.     

Estimation of the age of human bloodstains by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy: long-term controlled experiment on the effects of environmental factors

In this study, we examined the efficacy and limitations of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) for estimating the age of human bloodstains. At 77K, human bloodstains give four striking EPR signals in the g=6.2 (g6), 4.3 (g4), 2.27 (H) and 2.005 (R) regions due to ferric high-spin, ferric non-heme, ferric low-spin and free radical species, respectively. We found that plotting double logarithms of the EPR intensity ratio of H/g4 versus days past bleeding gave a linear correlation up to 432 days with an error range within 25% of the actual number of days under controlled conditions. However, environmental factors such as differences of absorbent, light exposure and fluctuations of storage temperature affected the changes of these EPR-active compounds, which result in misestimation of the time since bleeding occurred. Therefore, one should take such factors into account in estimating the period since bleeding by this method.     

Allele frequencies for nine STR loci in Ovambo population using AmpFlSTR Profiler Kit

Allele frequencies for the nine short tandem repeat (STR) loci D3S1358, vWA, FGA, TH01, TPOX, CSF1PO, D5S818, D13S317, and D7S820 were investigated in 195 unrelated Ovambo (Bantus) population from Namibia. AmpFlSTR Profiler Kit was employed for amplification. For each locus, 6-19 alleles were observed. Comparison between Ovambo population data and that of other African populations was performed. AmpFlSTR Profiler detection system is a useful tool for individual identification in Ovambo population.     

少子化时代日本青年就业的现状和问题

目前，没有工作、宅在家里“封闭自我”、精神“内向”的青年无业者已然成为日本严峻的社会问题。 本研究从日本政府为解决少子化时代青年就业问题采取的措施、青年就业与劳动力市场状况、公共和私营部门 面临的青年无业者带来的挑战等方面，探讨日本少子化时代，尤其是近年来青年劳动者的就业现状和未来面临 的问题。研究发现，尽管政府采取了多种措施，但在现实中，有很多生活困窘的年轻人仍未能被就业和生活帮 扶措施覆盖，无法得到相应服务，因此政府还在寻求进一步的改善措施。而要从根本上解决日本少子化时期的 青年就业问题， 还有很长的路要走。