Comparison of motor oils using high-temperature gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The analysis of motor oils has wide applications in the forensic science field from comparing lubricants transferred between an automobile and a victim or crime scene to differentiating the compositions of plastic explosives. In this study, 40 unused motor oils were analyzed and compared by high-temperature gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to determine the potential for oil individualization. Oil samples were also collected from the crankcase dipsticks of 30 cars. Twenty-six of these oils could be differentiated from each other based on visual comparisons of the unresolved envelope (baseline rise due to incomplete separation) and the resolved hydrocarbons in the raw total ion chromatograms (TICs) and smoothed TIC data. Four of these oils were analyzed as unknowns and were correctly related to the corresponding vehicle. The use of extracted ion profiles (EIPs) was explored as a means to further discriminate between the indistinct samples based on the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) content. The research discussed in this paper demonstrated that differentiation of motor oils was possible by examining the TIC, smoothed TIC, and EIP data.     

Intensive supervision programs: Does program philosophy and the principles of effective intervention matter?

Although traditional intensive supervision programs that have aimed at increasing control and surveillance in the community have not been shown to reduce recidivism, prior research indicates that intensive supervision programs that are based on a human service philosophy and provide treatment to offenders offer more promise. The current research examined the effectiveness of fifty-eight intensive supervision programs and sought to determine whether program philosophy and treatment integrity are associated with reductions in recidivism. The results indicated that both program philosophy and treatment integrity vary independently of one another and are related to the ability of programs to produce meaningful effects on recidivism.     

Snitching,Lies and Computer Crashes: An Experimental Investigation of Secondary Confessions

Two laboratory studies with 332 student participants investigated secondary confessions (provided by an informant instead of the suspect). Participants allegedly caused or witnessed a simulated computer crash, then were asked to give primary or secondary confessions during interrogation. Study 1 replicated the false evidence effect for primary confessions. Secondary confessions were obtained at a high rate, which was increased by false evidence in combination with incentive to confess. In Study 2 a confederate either confessed to or denied crashing the computer. Incentive increased the rate of secondary confession only in the presence of a denial; that is, incentive increased the number of false secondary confessions only. Implications for the use of incentives during informant interrogation are discussed.     

Die Europäische Bürgerinitiative – Gefährdung der Glaubwürdigkeit eines direktdemokratischen Instruments?

Mit Art 11 Abs 4 EUV idF des Vertrages von Lissabon wurde das Institut einer "Europäischen Bürgerinitiative" (EBI) vorgesehen. In dessen Ausführung hat die EU-Kommission Anfang Juni dieses Jahres den Entwurf einer Verordnung vorgelegt, der gegenwärtig im Europäischen Parlament beraten wird. Dieser Beitrag beschäftigt sich kritisch mit rechtlichen und operationalen Aspekten dieses Verordnungsentwurfes.     

The prevalence of mixed DNA profiles on fingernail swabs

There is a general acceptance that cellular material will transfer from one person to another person's fingernails through everyday contact. However, the level or degree of contact required to transfer sufficient cellular material in order to obtain a DNA profile is not known. This study examined swabs from the fingernails of 40 volunteers and compared the DNA profiles obtained to the daily activities of that individual. The majority (78%) of high level profiles obtained were associated with recent intimate contact. However, high level profiles were also obtained from the fingernails of individuals who shared accommodation with their partner, flatmates and/or children. Low level profiles and single profiles were associated with all levels of contact.     

Transforming China poverty crisis： Challenges and issues

This paper describes the economic conditions of urban and rural poverty in China. The examination of this problem deconstructs into three components and this explains why this problem is China＇s premier economic problem, despite its recent economic progress into a world ranked industrial economic power. Here, this paper examines the period of 1985 to 2008, a period of almost exponential growth. Even though during this period millions escaped from poverty levels of income, this was only part of the positive results. There were social negatives as well, and the main one was that economic inequality became worse, as the impoverished, as well as being affected by the current financial situation that has overcome the Chinese labor market, has put them into competition with the better off who are in the same economic predicament. As China merges into forms of economic globalization, any external blow will cause sharp fluctuations within the Chinese economy, as reflected within the labor market. Unemployment imposes direct impacts on incomes, and may give rise to social instability. As a result, job growth should be at the top of the macro-control agenda.     

The Delayed and Cumulative Consequences of Traumatic Stress: Challenges and Issues in Compensation Settings

Delayed onset posttraumatic stress disorder has been a challenging issue in medico-legal settings. Prospective studies have done much to characterise the validity of this construct and the prevalence in various populations. The delayed impact of these events places significant challenges on a plaintiff in establishing a causal link to some distal exposure. Furthermore, the literature highlights that depression is a frequent independent outcome from posttraumatic events, independent of the frequent comorbidity for posttraumatic stress disorder. To date, there has been little examination of the commonality of the underlying mechanisms of aetiology between depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. The concepts of sensitisation and kindling have been extensively discussed as underlying mechanisms relevant to a range of psychiatric disorders. This idea of increasing sensitisation of individuals who have multiple traumatic stress exposures is of critical importance to understanding the shared aetiology of major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder. Furthermore, the neural circuitry involved in these conditions particularly involves the amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate. Given the shared aetiological mechanisms, it is probable that the delays in treatment which have been demonstrated to be important factors for decreasing the probability of a full treatment response in depression are equally relevant to posttraumatic stress disorder. This raises important issues about the liability of employers particularly in the emergency services for vetting individuals where there is a foreseeable risk. A further challenge in litigation settings is the increasing body of evidence linking posttraumatic stress disorder and depression to cardiovascular disease and hypertension.     

Gender in the Context of Same‐Sex Divorce and Relationship Dissolution

This article identifies ways that judges, lawyers, researchers, and policy makers may attend to the role of gender and gender dynamics facing same‐sex couples upon divorce or other relationship dissolution. When same‐sex couples marry, the legal system and society at large may project conceptions of gender onto same‐sex couples, often in a manner that conflicts with couples' intentions and practices. Gender and gender dynamics may affect the bases for dissolution, the financial aspects of dissolution, and the determination of child custody. The article also suggests directions for future research on the impact of gender on the dissolution of same‐sex relationships.     

Examining All-cause and Cause-specific Mortality among Former Prisoners in Pennsylvania

Former prisoners have a higher than expected risk of death following release from incarceration. However, little is known about the specific risk factors for post-release mortality among former prisoners. The current study uses a unique set of measures obtained from administrative records from Pennsylvania to examine demographic, custodial, behavioral, and criminal history factors that impact mortality risk following release from incarceration. Moreover, this study is the first to assess whether risk factors for post-release mortality are consistent or variable across race and ethnicity. Using data from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections and mortality records from the Pennsylvania Department of Health we find several demographic, custodial, behavioral, and criminal history measures are related to post-release mortality risk. Moreover, while most risk factors for mortality are generally consistent across race and ethnicity, we find evidence that some custodial and criminal history factors vary by race and ethnicity.