Multifactorial analysis of firearm wounds to the head with attention to anatomic location.

Firearm wounds to the head are often fatal and are routinely encountered in the practice of forensic pathology in the United States. Often, the anatomic site of the entrance wound is used to support or refute the manner of death indicated by the scene investigation and/or circumstances of the case. The present retrospective study of 120 fatalities resulting from 140 firearm wounds to the head correlates the anatomic region of the entrance wound and range of fire with the manner of death. Other demographic data analyzed include age, race, and gender of the decedents, as well as evidence of drug and/or ethanol use. It is hoped that this study will provide concrete data to support the largely anecdotal associations between the specific site of entry of firearm injuries to the head and the manner of death.     

Narrating genetic disabilities: social constructs, medical treatment, and public policy

The article compares three memoirs of genetically based disability: Lisa Roney's sweet, invisible body, Georgina Kleege's Sight Unseen, and Alice Wexler's Mapping Fate. The essay explores the tension between the narrow and the broad construction of disability, as demonstrated by the 1999 Supreme Court rulings on the ADA and as experienced by these three memoirists. It concludes that the approach of narrative bioethics, as exemplified by such a study of disability and illness narratives, can offer the medical and public policy community a valuable alternative perspective on genetic disability not as an incapacity, but as a set of social relations and practices.     

Law and Human Behavior: Reflecting Back and Looking Forward

Law and Human Behavior -     

福建省违法犯罪青少年的个性特征研究

为探讨青少年违法犯罪与个性的关系,采用艾森克个性问卷对621名13－19岁违法犯罪青少年和1371名相应年龄在校学生按不同年龄段和性别进行对照研究,发现16－19岁男性违法犯罪青少年外向性（E）、精神质（P）评分显著高于对照组（P＜0．01）,13－15岁男性违法犯罪少年精神质（P）、神经质（N）评分显著高于对照组（P＜0．01）,16－19岁女性违法犯罪青少年神经质（N）评分低于对照组（P＜0．05）,不同违法犯罪类型之间各个维度无统计学差异,表明外向性、精神质和神经质与男性青少年违法犯罪相关,倾稳性可能与女性青少年违法犯罪有关。     

Polymorphism and haplotype study of Y-chromosomal multi-STRs loci in Han population in Guangzhou

Using polymerase chain reaction and silver stain, polymorphism and haplotype study of Y-chromosomal multi-STRs loci: DYS19, DYS389I/II, DYS390 were studied. 111 samples of male were collected from Guangzhou area. 5 alleles were determined in DYS19 locus, 4 alleles in DYS389I locus, 5 alleles in DYS389II locus and 5 alleles in DYS390 locus. Compared with other racial populations, differences of distribution of allele frequencies existed significantly. 72 haplotype were present in this study.     

A comparative evaluation of a new generation jail

This study reports findings from an evaluation of a new generation jail in a large southwestern state. The jail is one component of a complex containing a traditional jail, an indirect supervision facility (barracks), and the new generation jail. Using survey and operational data, we compare the new generation jail to the other two facilities. The findings provide generally positive support for the effectiveness of the new generation jail. Inmates and staff were much more satisfied with the physical facilities. Staff perceived it as more secure, though they reported only limited advantages in safety and security. Violence and disciplinary problems were substantially lower. However, no savings in staffing levels were noted, nor were there differences in job satisfaction for staff in the new generation jail. We discuss the implications of the findings and suggest additional directions for jail evaluations.