Validation studies of the ParaDNA® Intelligence System with artificial evidence items

Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling is one of the mostly used systems for forensic applications. In certain circumstances, STR profiling is time-consuming and costly, which potentially leads to delays in criminal investigations. LGC (Laboratory of the Government Chemist, UK) Forensics has developed a robust STR profiling platform called the ParaDNA^® Intelligence Test System which can provide early tactical intelligence and aid investigators in making informed decisions on sample prioritization for detection. Here, we validated the ParaDNA intelligence test for its application in forensic cases using a range of mock evidence items following guidelines set by the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM). Specifically, we tested the sensitivity and accuracy of the ParaDNA intelligence test, as well as the success rates for detecting mock samples and for use in case scenarios. Our findings demonstrate that the ParaDNA intelligence test generates useful DNA profiles, especially for samples such as blood, saliva, and semen that contain ample DNA, indicating the benefits of including ParaDNA as a prior step in forensic STR profiling pipelines.     

China’s ten years in the wto: its performance and new challenges

Becoming a member of the WTO in 2001 was a historic event of great significance during the process of China’s reform and opening up. Since then, China has steadily pushed forward the reform and opening up policy, proactively seizing the opportunities of economic globalization and positively utilizing the multilateral trading system to develop economic and trade relations with other countries, all of which have contributed to the great economic and social achievements during the first decade of 21st century. However, there are different opinions on China’s futuristic role in the WTO, and those disagreements resulting from various interest preferences are not only one-sided and limited, but also triggering off the discussions on the criteria to assess China’s performance in the WTO. This article argues that China’s activities in the WTO (i.e., implementing WTO commitments, participating in the Doha Round negotiation, the dispute settlement and trade policy review) should be a kind of assessment criteria. Based on comprehensive observation of China’s performance in the WTO, it is concluded in this article that China’s participation in the WTO system and global trade governance extends the scope of world trade law, improves its effectiveness, constitutes China’s new contributions to implement treaty obligations in good faith, resolves peacefully international trade disputes, and maintains substantively the international rule of law. At the same time, it has not only caused new driving forces for international trading system, but also made China face new challenges in the WTO.     

论“认罪态度”在量刑情节中的定位

传统刑法和司法实践将"认罪态度"定位于酌定量刑情节,由于立法的模糊性和司法人员的认识差异,造成了量刑时空上的不平衡。本文认为,随着"自首"、"立功"和"坦白"的逐步法定化,将"积极退赃"和"赔偿损失"升格为法定量刑情节的条件已经具备。它不仅没有违背罪刑法定原则,而且依赖于刑罚改造理论和人身危险性理论的理论支撑,还有相关法律和司法解释作为法律基础及外国立法提供的参考和借鉴。因此,应将"积极退赃"和"赔偿损失"升格为法定量刑情节的条件和从宽处罚的具体标准,实现"认罪态度"在量刑情节中法律地位的转变及司法的公平与公正。     

职务侵占罪与盗窃罪定性法则探究

盗窃罪与职务侵占罪的辨析一直是办案实务中的争议难点。结合实际案例,笔者就盗窃罪与职务侵占罪如何准确定性,提出了四大定性法则:"工作之便"抑或"职务之便"定性法则、是否"具有合法权限持有、管理单位财物"定性法则、法益定性法则和法益定性法则。     

LINKED IN

<正>The China-Myanmar pipeline is a vital artery connecting both nations Zayar Oo has never been to China and has little idea of what it is like there.Yet there is a strong link between the 37-year-old villager from Myanmar and the country’s northern neighbor—the Myanmar-China crude oil pipeline which snakes from Made Island on the western     

An Evolving Bloc

<正>SCO collaboration expands in tandem with the development of international circumstances The Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO)held its 16th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government in the Russian resort city of Sochi from November 30to December 1.It was the first meeting of its kind since the regional bloc expanded its membership in June to include India and Pakistan.The SCO now has China,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Russia,Tajikistan,     

公共政策视域中的判例制作

可将判例看作公共政策,而非只是单纯的、遵循法律条文的司法判决(适用法律条文的活动);判例制作像公共政策制定一样要关注身处其中的社会,要考虑外部性,顾及社会影响,而不能只讲求法律性;公共政策视域中判例制作的方法很多,可考虑借鉴大胆假设、小心求证方法。     

文化:研究宗教与无神论关系的新视角

宗教是一种文化现象,无神论也是一种文化现象。这两种文化现象之间,除了存在对立和冲突之外,还有统一和协调的一面。从文化的视角看,无神论与宗教都是人类发展进程中所创造的文明成果,都是人类智慧的结晶,包含着丰富的科学和人文内容。无神论与宗教以不同的方式和途径表达了对人类的终极关怀,并在一定条件下形成了良性互动的关系。在社会主义建设时期,宗教与无神论可以求同存异,结为盟友。认识到这一点,对于我们正确贯彻党的宗教政策,深入开展宗教与无神论研究具有重要意义。     

浅谈新时期我国公安机关境外追逃问题

随着国际交往的密切,给犯罪分子逃往境外,利用国境的屏障逃避打击创造了的便利条件,从而使公安机关的境外追逃工作受各种条件的制约,面临严峻的挑战。研究切实可行的境外追逃理论和采取行之有效的追逃措施,让境外追逃工作走上科学化、信息化的良性轨道是公安机关当前和今后工作的主要方向。     

BRICS Power

<正>When Goldman Sachs economist Jim O’Neill coined the acronym BRIC to describe collectively Brazil,Russia,India and China,the world mainly regarded it as one of the easy-come,easy-go terms in economics.A decade later,O’Neill’s concept is not forgotten.It is successfully playing an historic role in representing the shift in global economic power away