Morphology of preimaginal stages of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Diptera, Calliphoridae): a comparative study

A comparative morphological study of preimaginal stages (larvae and pupae) of Calliphora vicina Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 is presented. The entomological samples came from laboratory colonies bred under controlled environmental conditions (25°C and 60% relative humidity). In this study, a recently published technique to clear Diptera larvae for light microscopy and a standard protocol for scanning electron microscopy were used. For the morphological comparison of larval instars I, II and III, and pupae of C. vicina, different larval regions (cephalic, thoracic and abdominal, including anal division), as well the internal chitinised cephalopharyngeal skeleton, were considered separately. Our results focus on showing the changes observed throughout development for the most important structures in the cephalic region (sensilla of maxillary palpus, antennae and oral ridges), the thoracic region (the first segment and its anterior spinose band) and in the anal division of the abdominal region (posterior spiracles and shape of the papillae). In addition, some morphological structures are described or pictured for the first time, such as the ventral organ and the anterior spiracle of larva I and the antenna sensilla, Keilin's organ and wrinkled area of the anal division of all instars. The cephalopharyngeal skeleton is an important structure for the taxonomy of Diptera larvae in all instars, including Calliphoridae. Our observations in C. vicina indicate that an in-depth review of the sclerite composition is needed. Pupae and larvae stages can only be compared by following the segmentary spinose bands and the anal segment, where the morphology of the posterior spiracles and papillae can be observed, in some cases despite the reduced condition of the latter.     

Assessing reliability, validity, and clinical utility of the BEST-Index in measuring living skills among forensic inpatients

The assessment of behavioral change as a result of inpatient treatment in forensic psychiatry is an important precondition for violence risk prediction in forensic psychiatry. In relation to a multitude of diagnostically based risk assessment instruments, there is a shortage of appropriate instruments with which to carry out valid and reliable therapeutic assessments that are behaviorally based and therefore appropriate for use within varied psychiatric contexts. There is also a need for instruments which will offer assessors the opportunity to examine possible relationships between criteria of social risk and criteria of more general aspects of social functioning. Tapping the issues pointed out above, the authors present an overview of a normatively based social profiling instrument (the BEST-Index), and discuss evidence for its validity, reliability, and aspects of clinical utility.     

Haplotypic blocks of X-linked STRs for forensic cases: study of recombination and mutation rates

In complex kinship cases, markers situated in haplotypic blocks may provide additional clues to other unlinked markers. We have established a protocol to amplify six X-chromosome microsatellites, located in two haplotype blocks, using PCR with fluorochrome-labeled primers and capillary electrophoresis. The segregation stability was explored in 92 unrelated families with individuals from three generations. Sixty-one different haplotypes were found in the DXS10079-DXS10074-DXS10075 block in the grandfathers and 96 in the mothers, with estimated haplotype diversities of 0.9828 and 0.9842, respectively. Fifty and 73 different haplotypes were found in the DXS6801-DXS6809-DXS6789 block in the grandfathers and the mothers, with estimated haplotype diversities of 0.9711 and 0.9742, respectively. We observed 10 between-cluster and one within-cluster recombinations in 99 female meioses. The overall per-locus mutation rate was 0.0034. This protocol allows for the characterization of the alleles of two sets of linked markers of the X-chromosome that can be useful in complex forensic cases.     

Population data for 15 Y-chromosome STRs in a population sample from Quito (Ecuador)

Population frequencies for the 9 Y-STR loci included in the "minimal haplotype" from Y-STR Haplotype Reference Database (YHRD), plus other 6 Y-STRs (DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, GATA A7.2, GATA H4 and GATA A10) were obtained for a sample of 120 males from Quito (Ecuador). One hundred and sixteen unique haplotypes were identified within the sample. Haplotype diversity (0.9994) was among the highest in comparison to other populations from Iberia and South-America. Genetic distances were calculated and our sample presented significative differences with all other samples, the lowest values being with a Guinean sample.     

Implication of population structure in the resolution of cattle stealing cases

Estimation of population subdivision using genetic markers shows that genetic differentiation in livestock and pet breeds is significantly higher than in human populations. Nevertheless, the influence of population substructure and sample size on match probability has not been extensively analyzed in domestic species. To evaluate the magnitude of the subpopulation effect on estimation of match probabilities in bovine robbery cases, we calculated and compared the match probabilities obtained from cattle breed databases using both real, adjudicated cases from the Buenos Aires Province (Argentina), as well as simulated data. While the Balding and Nichols' correction, when applied to the population database used in the case, produce a more conservative value favorable to the defendant, the match probabilities calculated using the simple product estimator produce a value favorable to the prosecution. We suggest an alternative procedure that can be used. The method consists of choosing the highest value from all match probabilities calculated from the database of each breed. This approach represents an intermediate and more accurate estimation of match probability, although it still produces a slight conservative value favorable to the defense.     

Palynology and mycology as biological evidence in a homicide case

Criminal cases are studied from several disciplines to link a suspect with a criminal act. In this case, a man was reported missing in a coastal area in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The victim's relatives pointed to a possible suspect, and the local police carried out the investigation. We contributed to this research by applying palynological and mycological techniques. Palynomorphs and fungal spores offer valuable trace evidence, as they can be easily transferred between objects and crime scenes due to their minute size and persist on them for a long time. The victim was found 25 days later, lying on sandy soil, which partially covered the body, 35 km from where the suspect was arrested. Comparative samples were collected from the crime scene and the suspect's home and belongings (clothes, footwear, and seized vehicle). The palynological associations obtained from the crime scene and the defendant's belongings were dominated by diatoms and acritarchs (Acantomorphitae), all elements of marine origin, and a high CFU number of Bipolaris cynodontis, which allowed the defendant's clothing to be related to the place of corpse discovery. Soil from the defendant's home had an entirely continental composition, and the fungal biota was characteristic of prairie areas which were different from those of the crime scene.     

The erratic behaviour of the EU ETS on the path towards consolidation and price stability

The Kyoto Protocol envisages the use of various instruments to achieve emission reduction targets, one of which is the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS), the most important market worldwide for CO₂ emission allowances. The volume of European Union Allowances traded represents over 45% of all the carbon dioxide generated by human activity within the continent. In its first two phases (2005–2012), the behaviour of the EU ETS was erratic, as a result of discretionary policies, an oversupply of allowances and reduced economic activity due to the global crisis. These factors caused excessively low prices that distorted the initial goals of achieving low-carbon solutions. From 2013, changes were made to the market regulation mechanisms in order to correct these structural deficiencies. Empirical analysis of daily prices in the two central phases of the market, following the pattern of ARCH and GARCH models, shows that the measures taken within the EU generated greater confidence and stability in the market and thus reduced volatility. Subsequent price behaviour, following a bullish path, has confirmed the success of the measures taken and their contribution to fulfilling emission reduction targets.