The use of a tunable light source (Mini-Crimescope MCS-400, SPEX Forensics) in dissecting microscopic detection of cryptic epithelial particles

As skin particles are often deposited by even a single skin contact, the detection of skin debris is important for evidence collection and DNA testing. Unfortunately, even when a dissecting microscope is used by an experienced examiner, epidermal particles are often hard to find and these traces of evidence might escape DNA analysis. Fluorescence is defined as the property of absorbing short-wavelength light and emitting longer-wavelength light. By virtue of the fluorescence characteristics of many target materials, tunable light sources assist in the macroscopic search of crime scenes and items. We combined the dissecting microscope and an alternate light source to examine the fluorescence characteristics of skin and skin particles. In a comparative study, small skin scales were hidden between sand, fibers, and soil probes, and it proved possible to search more successfully with less time and effort. On staged casework exhibits, the efficiency of the screening aid was again tested and the usability of the new procedure shown.     

Establishing identity using cheiloscopy and palatoscopy

Establishing a person's identity can be a very difficult process. Dental, fingerprint and DNA comparisons are probably the most common techniques used in this context, allowing fast and secure identification processes. However, since they cannot always be used, sometimes it is necessary to apply different and less known techniques. In this paper, the authors describe two unusual techniques: cheiloscopy and palatoscopy. It is known that due to their special features, both lip grooves and palatal rugae can be used successfully in human identification. This paper reviews the techniques of cheiloscopy and palatoscopy, and describes the different classifications and their advantages and limitations.     

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)--standardised investigations and classification: recommendations

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) still accounts for considerable numbers of unexpected infant deaths in many countries. While numerous theories have been advanced to explain these events, it is increasingly clear that this group of infant deaths results from the complex interaction of a variety of heritable and idiosyncratic endogenous factors interacting with exogenous factors. This has been elegantly summarised in the "three hit" or "triple risk" model. Contradictions and lack of consistencies in the literature have arisen from diverse autopsy approaches, variable applications of diagnostic criteria and inconsistent use of definitions. An approach to sudden infant death is outlined with discussion of appropriate tissue sampling, ancillary investigations and the use of controls in research projects. Standardisation of infant death investigations with the application of uniform definitions and protocols will ensure optimal investigation of individual cases and enable international comparisons of trends.     

Coefficient stability and structural change in the Spanish economy

The main aim is the study of coefficient stability using comparative analyses of Spanish input–output tables of recent decades. We try to provide answers to questions related to the nature and intensity of changes in the production structure, implementing procedures both of a direct nature as well as of an indirect one, following Mesnard’s proposal. We further raise the possibility of forecasting branch evolution by means of demand-driven or supply-driven models, depending on coefficient stability, in accordance with the work of Ranko Bon.

Groups, gangs, and delinquency: Does organization matter?

Purpose

A consistent finding of research on delinquency has been that gang members show higher levels of delinquent behavior than non-gang members. However, research attempting to understand the mechanisms underlying this finding is lacking. The basic premise of the current article is that the level of organization found in delinquent groups and gangs matters in clarifying the relationship between membership and delinquency.

Methods

This article examined the association between organization and delinquency in a sample of 523 self-reported juvenile offenders from a high school survey conducted in the province of Quebec, Canada.

Results

The results showed that 1) there is clearly something special about membership in a gang that influences delinquency beyond the more general membership in a delinquent group; 2) the key to understanding finding lies, in part, in the level of organization found in gangs. Organization emerged as the most important factor associated with general delinquency, involvement in violence, and in drug supply offences, significantly (but not completely) reducing the effect of gang membership on delinquency.

Conclusions

Even if most delinquent associations show little signs of formal structure and organization, this study demonstrates the importance of organization as a key mechanism to understand the gang effect on delinquency.     

The role of race/ethnicity and race relations on public opinion related to the immigration and crime link

This article examines two hypotheses related to public opinion concerning immigration and crime. Using data from a recent Gallup poll with oversamples of Hispanics and Blacks, the research examined whether race/ethnicity and race relations matter in the public's opinion of the connection between immigration and crime. After a series of models were performed, results of the final model revealed that race relations, gender (specifically, being male), race/ethnicity, and immigrant status are influential in contextualizing public opinion on the topic. The meaning and policy implications of these findings are also reviewed.     

Ricochet of a Bullet in the Spinal Canal: A Case Report and Review of the Literature on Bullet Migration

Abstract: Ricochet of a bullet in the spinal canal is well known by neurosurgeons but relatively not a common event in usual medico‐legal autopsy practice. This article presents a homicide case of a penetrating gunshot injury of the lumbar spine through the T12‐L1 intervertebral foramen with active movement of the projectile within the spinal canal to the L5‐S1 level. This case illustrates a bullet intradural and intramedullary active movement because of a ricochet of the body of T12 with active redirection of the path. In the current literature, different types of migration in caudal or cranial direction, intradural, or intramedullary are reported. If spontaneous migration of T10 to S1 seems to be more frequent, some authors reported a C1 to S2 migration. Such migration could be asymptomatic or induce neurological impairment. The medico‐legal consequences of these migrations within the spinal canal are described.     

Adelsaufhebung und das Gemeinschaftsrecht

Durch das Adelsaufhebungsgesetz ist es österreichischen Staatsbürgern untersagt, Adelstitel zu führen. Im Vorlageverfahren VwGH 18.5.2009, EU 2009/0002, geht es um die Frage, ob eine im Erwachsenenalter von einem deutschen Staatsbürger adoptierte Person den in Deutschland zuerkannten Titel "Fürstin von" zu ihrem Familiennamen führen darf. Im Lichte der jüngeren Rechtsprechung des EuGH zu unterschiedlichen Namenssystemen der Mitgliedsstaaten scheint das Adelsaufhebungsgesetz eine unzulässige Beschränkung der Freizügigkeit österreichischer Staatsbürger zu indizieren. Eine eingehende Analyse des Vorlagefalles und ähnlicher Fälle zeigt auf, dass die in der jüngeren Judikatur des EuGH geäußerten Bedenken beim Zusammentreffen unterschiedlicher Namenssysteme hinsichtlich des Verbotes des Führens von Adelstiteln nicht einschlägig sind und daher dieses Verbot gemeinschaftsrechtskonform sein könnte.     

PMICALC: An R code-based software for estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) compatible with Windows,Mac and Linux operating systems

In legal medicine the correct determination of the time of death is of utmost importance. Recent advances in estimating post-mortem interval (PMI) have made use of vitreous humour chemistry in conjunction with Linear Regression, but the results are questionable. In this paper we present PMICALC, an R code-based freeware package which estimates PMI in cadavers of recent death by measuring the concentrations of potassium ([K+]), hypoxanthine ([Hx]) and urea ([U]) in the vitreous humor using two different regression models: Additive Models (AM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), which offer more flexibility than the previously used Linear Regression. The results from both models are better than those published to date and can give numerical expression of PMI with confidence intervals and graphic support within 20 min. The program also takes into account the cause of death.