Experimental and casework validation of ambient temperature corrections in forensic entomology

This paper expands on Archer (J Forensic Sci 49, 2004, 553), examining additional factors affecting ambient temperature correction of weather station data in forensic entomology. Sixteen hypothetical body discovery sites (BDSs) in Victoria and New South Wales (Australia), both in autumn and in summer, were compared to test whether the accuracy of correlation was affected by (i) length of correlation period; (ii) distance between BDS and weather station; and (iii) periodicity of ambient temperature measurements. The accuracy of correlations in data sets from real Victorian and NSW forensic entomology cases was also examined. Correlations increased weather data accuracy in all experiments, but significant differences in accuracy were found only between periodicity treatments. We found that a >5°C difference between average values of body in situ and correlation period weather station data was predictive of correlations that decreased the accuracy of ambient temperatures estimated using correlation. Practitioners should inspect their weather data sets for such differences.     

A Comparative Analysis of Cybercrimes and Governmental Law Enforcement in China and the United States

Cybercrime has become a growing national and international concern because of its potential for widespread and devastating financial impact. Gauging the effect of cybercrimes is extremely difficult because of its multi-faceted nature and evolving definitions, especially in cross-culture analyses. Using data generated from cybercrime reports from two leading national newspapers during the past ten years, this study compares major cybercrimes and law enforcement in China and the United States. Similarities and differences between the two nations are highlighted and policy implications are presented based on these findings.     

Unusual sources of Sn in GSR. An experimental study by SEM and IBA

Gunshot Residue (GSR) produced by the discharge of a firearm often provides very useful information in criminal investigations in cases involving the use of firearms. Scanning Electron Microscopy equipped with an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) is typically used worldwide to visualize micrometric particles constituting GSR and to analyse their elemental composition. The 2017 ASTM Standard guide for gunshot residue analysis by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy specifies that “Particles classified as characteristic of GSR will have one of the following elemental compositions: Lead, antimony, barium; Lead, barium, calcium, silicon, tin”. For the first time, the presence of an additional element, such as Sn, plays a key role in ASTM particle classification. It is known that some ammunitions, used for pistols, revolvers and rifles, contain tin foil discs for sealing the primer mixture into the cup, resulting in GSR particles containing Sn. The authors faced some cases in which Sn was unexpectedly found in GSR particles from a 0.22 Long Rifle derringer and from some 12 gauge shotguns. No tin foil discs are used in rimfire ammunitions and there is no published evidence of tin foil discs in shotshell ammunitions. Following a “case by case” approach, experimental research has been carried out to explain how Sn can be present in GSR particles when the last discharged cartridge also does not contain any Sn either in components and in the explosive charges.Moreover, the use of Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) showed the capability to overcome overlap ambiguity of Sb and Sn peaks in the X-ray spectra, being a possible key issue in real shooting cases if Sn quantities are below the lower limit of SEM detection, especially when Sb is also present.     

B. Reviews and notes of recent bibliographies

i. Islamic Bindings & Bookmaking: A Catalogue of an Exhibition, The Oriental Institute, The University of Chicago, May 18 — August 18, 1981. By Gulnar Bosch, John Carswell and Guy Petheridge. Chicago, 1981. pp.xii, 235, 177 photographs, 15 colour plates, 15 figures. $40.OO (hard cover), $20.00 (soft cover) plus postage and handling charges (foreign surface mail $3.10 and £2.80 respectively). Inquiries and orders to: The Oriental Institute (Attn.: Museum Office), 1155 E. 58th St., Chicago IL 60637, USA.

ii. A Book World Directory of the Arab Countries, Turkey and Iran. Compiled by Anthony Rudkin and Irene Butcher. London, Mansell/Detroit, Gale, 1981. pp.xiv, 143.

iii. Islamic Revolution or Revolutionary Islam in Iran, A Selected and Annotated Bibliography of Political Publications from the Overthrow of the Shah until his Death. By Wolfgang Behn. Berlin, “Ayidok”, 1980. pp.118.

iv. A Brief Guide to Sources for the Study of Afghanistan in the India Office Records. By Lesley Hall. London, India Office Library and Records, 1981. pp.v, 60. £4.00.

v. Scholars’ Guide to Washington, D.C. for Middle Eastern Studies. Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula, Israel, Turkey, Iran. (Scholars’ Guide to Washington, D.C, No.7) . By Steven R. Dorr. Washington, D.C., Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Smithsonian Institution Press, 1981. pp.xiii, 540,2. $27.50 (cloth), $12.5O (paper).     

Cognitive problem-solving training to improve the child-care judgment of child neglectful parents

Child neglect, the failure to adequately meet a youngster's care needs, is the most frequent form of child maltreatment reported to welfare authorities. However, there have been few empirical reports of treatment outcomes for adjudicated, child neglectful parents. In the current study, an initial assessment of three neglectful parents revealed substantial deficits in cognitive problem-solving skills related to child care judgment. Treatment, consisting of modeling, shaping, practice, and feedback was used to improve each parent's child care problem-solving skills in a multiple baseline design. Skill enhancement was also found for untrained (generalization) problem situations, and independent caseworker ratings of each family's functioning provided external validation of the intervention's clinical impact.     

Developmental validation of a real-time quantitative PCR assay for automated quantification of human DNA

Our laboratory has developed an automated real-time quantitative PCR assay for detecting human DNA. The assay utilizes an in-house, custom-designed TaqMan-MGB sequence-specific probe (CFS-HumRT) and the ABD 7900HT SDS platform. Developmental validation has followed TWGDAM (1) guidelines and demonstrates that the assay is primate specific, is highly sensitive, yields consistent results, and works with human DNA extracted from a variety of body fluid stains. When operating within the dynamic range of the system using high-quality DNA samples. the technique yields similar quantification results to our current QuantiBlot assay with the added benefit of time saving through automation. Furthermore, the QPCR assay identifies how much amplifiable DNA is in a sample and thus has the potential to predict PCR success in downstream applications such as STR analysis.     

B. Reviews and notes bibliographies and works of reference

INDEX ISLAMICUS 1665–1905: A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF ARTICLES ON ISLAMIC SUBJECTS IN PERIODICALS AND OTHER COLLECTIVE PUBLICATIONS. Compiled by W.H. BEHN. Millersville, Adiyok, 1989. xxx, 870pp. US$ 125.— or DM 225.— or £72.00.

CATALOGUE OF THE ARABIC MANUSCRIPTS IN THE DAIBER COLLECTION, INSTITUTE OF ORIENTAL CULTURE, UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO. By HANS DAIBER. Tokyo, Documentation Center for Asian Studies, Institute of Oriental Culture, University of Tokyo, 1988. vii, 181pp.

MIDDLE EAST AND ISLAM: A BIBLIOGRAPHICAL INTRODUCTION. SUPPLEMENT 1977–1983. Edited by PAUL AUCHTERLONIE [for the] Middle East Libraries Committee. (Bibliotheca Asiatica, 20.) Zug, IDC, 1986. vi, 244pp. SFr. 90.—.

LE MONDE ARABE: BIBLIOGRAPHIE SÉLECTIVE ET ANALYTIQUE. Établie par FAROUK MARDAM‐BEY [et al.]. (Références documentaires, No. 43.) Paris, Centre National de Documentation Pédagogique, 1987. 123pp.

LIBYA. Compiled by RICHARD I. LAWLESS. (World Bibliographical Series, 79.) Oxford, Clio Press, 1987. 243pp. Map. £32.50.

A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF THE IRAN‐IRAQ BORDERLAND. By K.S. McLACHLAN and R.N. SCHOFIELD. Wisbech, MENAS Press, 1988. 383pp. £26.00.

INDIAN OCEAN. Compiled by JULIA J. GOTTHOLD with DONALD W. GOTTHOLD. (World Bibliographical Series, 85.) Oxford, Clio Press, 1988. xxix, 328pp. Map. £43.50.

AL‐MAR'A: BIBLIYUGHRAFIYYA. Compiled by FA'IQ FUDULI. Baghdad, Al‐Ittihad al‐'Amm li‐Nisa’ al‐'Iraq, 1985. 322pp. £4.00.

T.E. LAWRENCE: A BIBLIOGRAPHY. By PHILIP O'BRIEN. Winchester, St Paul's Bibliographies, 1988. 724pp. £45.00.

ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF ISLAM, New Edition, vol. V: KHE‐MAHI. Leiden, Brill, 1986. xvii, 1263pp. 59 plates. HF1. 620.—.

THE CAMBRIDGE ENCYCLOPAEDIA OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. Executive Editor TREVOR MOSTYN. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1988. 504pp. Photographs, maps, tables. £30.00.

GESCHICHTE DER ARABISCHEN WELT. Herausgegeben von ULRICH HAARMANN. Munich, Verlag C.H. Beck, 1987. 720pp. 14 maps. DM 138.—.

THE MIDDLE EAST. Edited by MICHAEL ADAMS. (Handbooks to the Modern World.) New York & Oxford, Facts on File, 1988. xviii, 839pp. Maps. £30.00.

THE CAMBRIDGE ATLAS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA. Edited by GERALD BLAKE, JOHN DEWDNEY and JONATHAN MITCHELL. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1987. 126pp. £45.00.

PLANOS Y MAPAS HISPANICOS DE ARGELIA: SIGLOS XVI‐XVIII/PLANS ET CARTES HISPANIQUES DE L'ALGÉRIE: XVIème‐XVIIIème SIÈCLES. VOLUMEN I: ESTUDIO, CATÁLOGO E INDICES/VOLUME I; ÉTUDE, CATALOGUE ET INDEX. By MIKEL DE EPALZA and JUAN BTA. VILAR. [Madrid,] Instituto Hispano‐Árabe de Cultura, 1988. 399, [5]pp. 497 plans and maps (24 in colour). 5,500 Ptas.

A MAGYAROK TÖRTÉNETE: TARIH‐I ÜNGÜRÜSZ; MADZSAR TARIHI. By MAHMUD TERDZSÜMAN etc. Translated with notes by JÓZSEF BLASKOVICS. Revised and introduced by ELOD VASS. Budapest, Magveto Könyvkiadó, 1982. 523pp. Ft. 35.—.

LE DEBUT DE L'IMPRIMERIE ARABE A ISTANBUL ET EN SYRIE: EVOLUTION DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT CULTUREL (1706–1787). BIDAYAT AL‐TIBA'A AL‐'ARABIYYA FI ISTANBUL WA‐BILAD AL‐SHAM: TATAWWUR AL‐MUHIT AL‐THAQAFI (1706–1787). By WAHID GDOURA (WAHID GADURA). (Publications de lTnstitut Superiéur de Documentation, 8; Manshūrat al‐Ma'had al‐A'la li‐l‐Tawthiq, 8.) Tunis, Institut Superieur de Documentation, 1985. 312, 7pp.

ORIENTAL PRESSES IN THE WORLD. By NAZIR AHMAD. Lahore, Qadiria Book Traders, 1985. 272pp., incl. 39 facsimiles. Pak.Rs. 175.—

AL‐SIHAFA AL‐ISLAMIYYA AL‐JAZA'IRIYYA MIN BIDAYATIHA ILA SANAT 1930. LA PRESSE MUSULMANE ALGÉRIENNE DE 1830 [Agrave] 1930. By ZAHIR IHADDADIN (ZAHIR IHADDADEN). Algiers, Entreprise Nationale du Livre, 1986. 53, 51pp. DA17.50.

KITAB TATQIF AL‐TA'RIF BI'L‐MUSTALAH AL‐?ARIF. By TAQI AL‐DIN ‘ABD AL‐RAHMAN IBN NAZIR AL‐GAY?. Edited by RUDOLF VESELÝ. Cairo, Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale, 1987. vi, 249, XXVIpp. 8 plates.

WATHA'IQ AL‐KHALIJ AL‐'ARABI 1968–1971: TUMUHAT AL‐WAHDA WA‐HUMUM AL‐ISTIQLAL. Edited by RIYAD NAJIB AL‐RAYYIS (RIAD N. EL RAYYES). London, Riad El Rayyes Books, 1987. 712pp. £67.00.

PLANTS OF DHOFAR. By ANTHONY G. MILLER and MIRANDA MORRIS; illustrated by SUSANNA STUART‐SMITH. [Muscat,] Office of the Adviser for Conservation, 1988. xxvii, 361pp. Numerous illustrations, two end‐paper maps. £35.00. [Also published in Arabic as NABATAT ZUFAR.]

JESUITES AU PROCHE‐ORIENT: NOTICES BIOGRAPHIQUES. By HENRI JALABERT. Beirut, Dar el‐Machreq, 1987. 512pp.

FONDOS AFRICANOS Y ARABES: GUIA PROVISIONAL DE BIBLIOTECAS Y CENTROS DE DOCUMENTACION. Compiled by Departamento de Referenda, Servicio de Information Bibliográfica: Africa y Mundo Arabe. [Madrid,] Biblioteca Nacional, 1988. 32ff.

ARABIAN GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICES 1988. Milton Keynes, Matrix, 1988. 255pp. English, 156pp. Arabic. £49.00.

GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS AND COURSES IN MIDDLE EAST STUDIES IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AND ABROAD: 1987 DIRECTORY. Tucson, Middle East Studies Association of North America, 1988. 239pp.

ZAHIDAN AND SOUTHEASTERN IRAN. Edited by LUDWIG W. ADAMEC. (Historical Gazetteer of Iran, Volume 4.) Graz, Akademische Druck‐ u. Verlagsanstalt, 1988. 481pp. Maps and diagrams. ÖS. 450.—.

MU'JAM AL‐AGHLAT AL‐LUGHAWIYYA AL‐MU'ASIRA = A DICTIONARY OF COMMON MISTAKES IN MODERN WRITTEN ARABIC. By MUHAMMAD AL‐'ADNANI. Beirut, Librairie du Liban, 1984, repr. 1986. xviii, 870pp. £25.00.

THE OFFICE DICTIONARY. QAMUS AL‐MAKTAB. Compiled by MULTI‐LINGUAL INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS LIMITED. Oxford, Oxford University Press, [1987?]. 207 + 201pp. £10.95.

A DICTIONARY OF DATA PROCESSING AND COMPUTER TERMS (ENGLISH‐FRENCH‐ARABIC). By E.W. HADDAD. Beirut, Librairie du Liban, 1987. 421pp. £25.00.

THE COMBINED NEW PERSIAN‐ENGLISH AND ENGLISH‐PERSIAN DICTIONARY. By ABBAS and MANOOCHEHR ARYANPUR‐KASHANI. Lexington, Mazda Publishers, 1986. 273pp. (English‐Persian); 307pp. (Persian‐English). US$ 45.00 ('Library’ ed.); US$ 36.00 ('Text’ ed.).

KARS ?L? AGIZLARI, SES B?LG?S?. By AHMET B. ERC?LASUN. Ankara, Gazi Üniversitesi, 1983. 386pp.

SUFI SYMBOLISM: THE NURBAKHSH ENCYCLOPEDIA OF SUFI TERMINOLOGY (FARHANG‐E NURBAKHSH). Vol. II: LOVE, LOVER, BELOVED, ALLUSIONS AND METAPHORS. By JAVAD NURBAKHSH. London, Khaniqahi‐Nimatullahi Publications (distributed by Routledge & Kegan Paul), 1987. 193pp.

ARMENIAN ILLUMINATED GOSPEL‐BOOKS. By V. NERSESSIAN. London, The British Library, 1987. xi, 100pp. Ill., map. £14.95.

KUNST FRA ISLAMS VERDEN, 8. TIL 18. ÅRHUNDREDE. (Louisiana Revy, 27iii.) Humlebcek, Louisiana Museum, 1987. 115pp., 198 b/w plates, 76 colour plates. DKr. 60.‐.

METALWORK OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD: THE ARON COLLECTION. By JAMES W. ALLAN. London, Sotheby's, 1986. 168pp., numerous illustrations, 57 line drawings. £45.00.

ISTANBUL: A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST. By EKMELEDD?N ?HSANOGLU. Istanbul, Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture, 1987. 103pp. 43 illustrations. US$ 20.—.