Developmental validation of a multiplex qPCR assay for assessing the quantity and quality of nuclear DNA in forensic samples

Forensic scientists are constantly searching for better, faster, and less expensive ways to increase the first-pass success rate of forensic sample analysis. Technological advances continue to increase the sensitivity of analysis methods to enable genotyping of samples containing minimal amounts of DNA, yet few tools are available that can simultaneously alert the analyst to both the presence of inhibition and level of degradation in samples prior to genotyping to allow analysts the opportunity to make appropriate modifications to their protocols and, consequently, to use less sample. Our laboratory developed a multiplex quantitative PCR assay that amplifies two human nuclear DNA target sequences of different length to assess DNA degradation and a third amplification target, a synthetic oligonucleotide internal PCR control (IPC), to allow for the assessment of PCR inhibition. We chose the two nuclear targets to provide quantity and fragment-length information relevant to the STR amplification targets commonly used for forensic genotyping. The long target (nuTH01, 170-190 bp) spans the TH01 STR locus and uses a FAM-labeled TaqMan probe for detection. The short nuclear target (nuCSF, 67 bp) is directed at the upstream flanking region of the CSF1PO STR locus and is detected using a VIC-labeled TaqManMGB probe. The IPC target sequence is detected using a NED-labeled TaqManMGB probe. The assay was validated on the Applied Biosystems 7500 Real-Time PCR system, which is optimized for NED detection. We report the results of a developmental validation in which the assay was rigorously tested, in accordance with the current SWGDAM guidelines, for precision, sensitivity, accuracy, reproducibility, species specificity, and stability.     

Use of multislice computed tomography in disaster victim identification--advantages and limitations

After a mass fatality incident (MFI), all victims have to be rapidly and accurately identified for juridical reasons as well as for the relatives' sake. Since MFIs are often international in scope, Interpol has proposed standard disaster victim identification (DVI) procedures, which have been widely adopted by authorities and forensic experts. This study investigates how postmortem multislice computed tomography (MSCT) can contribute to the DVI process as proposed by Interpol. The Interpol postmortem (PM) form has been analyzed, and a number of items in sections D and E thereof have been postulated to be suitable for documentation by CT data. CT scans have then been performed on forensic cases. Interpretation of the reconstructed images showed that indeed much of the postmortem information required for identification can be gathered from CT data. Further advantages of the proposed approach concern the observer independent documentation, the possibility to reconstruct a variety of images a long time after the event, the possibility to distribute the work by transmitting CT data digitally, and the reduction of time and specialists needed at the disaster site. We conclude that MSCT may be used as a valuable screening tool in DVI in the future.     

Occupational hazard: Predictors of stress among jail correctional officers

The plethora of literature on correctional officers and the work environment, more specifically occupational stress, has focused almost exclusively on officers working in prison facilities. The primary purpose of the current study was to examine the predictors of occupational stress and general stress among 373 jail correctional officers in one state in the Northeast, using the Stressors identified in the previous literature on prison correctional officers and occupational stress. The results indicated that organizational strengths, perceived danger, role problems, and job satisfaction were significant predictors of both occupational and general stress. In addition, gender and salary predicted occupational stress while correctional experience and training predicted general stress. Suggestions are made for administrators, as well as future research on the workplace experiences of correctional officers.     

Quality of Maternal Parenting among Intimate-Partner Violence Victims Involved with the Child Welfare System

Children are overrepresented in households with intimate-partner violence (IPV), and many suffer the double burden of being the subject of maltreatment and bearing the consequences of abuse to their mothers. Despite this situation, little information exists concerning parenting by women who have been abused by an intimate partner. We examine the relationship between women’s experiences with IPV and the quality of maternal parenting using data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. The sample consisted of 1,943 female caregivers of children younger than 10 years investigated for child maltreatment. Women who had experienced IPV in the past but were no longer victims of IPV had significantly better parenting scores than women who were currently experiencing IPV, when other risk factors were controlled. This study adds to the evidence that IPV does not necessarily impair maternal parenting. Women abused by an intimate partner deserve a thorough assessment of what services they need: parenting services should be offered as warranted on a case-by-case evaluation of the particular woman’s parenting skills.     

One step forward,one step back: Quebec's 2003–04 health and social services regionalization policy

Abstract: This article focuses on Quebec's most recent reform in the regionalization of health care to understand why the government chose to transform the regional boards into agencies. This case study used interviews and documentary analysis. Rooted in a political science perspective, the conceptual framework is inspired by the work of John Kingdon (1995) and draws on the four variables that influence the choice of policy: ideas, interests, institutions and events. Results of the case study suggest that Quebec's Commission of Study for Health and Social Services (the Clair Commission) in 2000 and the 2002 pre-electoral environment put the issue on the agenda. In 2003, the newly elected Liberal government passed Bill 25 – An Act Respecting Local Health and Social Services Network Development Agencies, which represented a political compromise: originally slated for eradication, the regional tier survived but in a new form. The element that sparked reform was the change in government following the elections. Different inquiry reports spread the reform's ideas, while interest groups articulated contrasting visions on the transformation. Above all, regional institutions showed great resilience in the face of change. From a historical perspective, this regionalization policy is a step backward: the regional tier is now stronger from a managerial and technocratic point of view, but it is politically and democratically weakened. This suggests a government intention, at that time, to maintain the regional level as a means of retaining centralized control over Quebec's health-care system.     

Sind Regierungsvorlagen der Staatsfunktion Gesetzgebung oder der Staatsfunktion Vollziehung zuzurechnen?

Der hier vorliegende Aufsatz setzt sich nicht nur mit der Frage auseinander, ob das Erstellen eines Gesetzesentwurfes der Staatsfunktion Gesetzgebung oder Vollziehung zuzurechnen ist, sondern es werden auch die im Gesetzgebungsverfahren zu setzenden Teilakte (Haupt-, Mitwirkungs- und Hilfsfunktionen) einer näheren Analyse unterzogen. Anlass der Untersuchung war die Entscheidung des OGH vom 29. Jänner 2008, mit welcher dieser gemeint hatte, dass ein gemeinschaftswidriger Gesetzesentwurf, der nie Gesetz geworden sei, nicht in das eigentliche Gesetzgebungsverfahren vorgedrungen sei, und daher die Zulässigkeit des Rechtsweges für den geltend gemachten Staatshaftungsanspruch bejaht hatte. Hier wird jedoch die Ansicht vertreten, dass auch schon das Erstellen eines Gesetzesentwurfes der Staatsfunktion Gesetzgebung zugerechnet werden muss und daher iSd Rechtsprechung des VfGH objektiv eine Zurechnung der Gemeinschaftswidrigkeit zur Staatsfunktion Vollziehung nicht möglich ist. Daraus folgt einerseits, dass ausschließlich der VfGH für einen geltend gemachten Staatshaftungsanspruch, der mit einer gemeinschaftswidrigen Regierungsvorlage, welche kein Gesetz wurde, begründet wird, zuständig ist, andererseits, dass in diesem Zusammenhang auch keine Amtshaftungsansprüche gestellt werden können, weil eine Haftung für Fehlverhalten im Bereich der Gesetzgebung nach dem AHG jedenfalls ausgeschlossen ist.