Physical and chemical evidence remaining after the explosion of large improvised bombs. Part 1: firings of ammonium nitrate/sugar and urea nitrate

Recent criminal acts in the United Kingdom, United States and other countries have demonstrated the dangers to public safety from the criminal use of improvised explosives on a large scale. Four sets of trials were carried out over four years, partly in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, involving the firing of large bombs, mostly fertilizer based. The principal objectives of the firings were to measure the physical effects of the explosions upon objects representative of those that would be found at a real bomb scene and to recover any chemical traces deposited on these objects. The results are intended for use as an aid in determining the approximate size and type of an explosive employed in a terrorist attack. This paper describes the background behind the trials, the procedures for preparation of witness materials and charges, and the collection and analysis of physical and chemical evidence.     

Population genetics of nine STR loci in two populations from Brazil

The Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) D3S1358, HUMvWA31/A, HUMFIBRA/FGA, D8S 1179, D2S11, D18S51, D5S818, D13S317, and D7S820 were studied in two Brazilian populations (from Amazonia and S. Paulo) using the "AmpF1 STR Profiler Plus PCR Amplification Kit." The nine loci showed a combined discrimination power greater than 0.9999999999 and a chance of exclusion of 0.9999.     

Streifenlichttopometrie (SLT): a new method for the three-dimensional photorealistic forensic documentation in colour

By means of the new method of Streifenlichttopometrie (SLT) it is possible to record the complete body surface of casualties in a practically photorealistic fashion, i.e. three-dimensionally and in colour. In comparison with the classic method of Photogrammetry Streifenlichttopometrie (SLT) is remarkably faster (10,000 points/s instead of 1 point/s) and in addition the colour of every point measured upon the corpse's surface is instantly recorded. Taking into consideration the resolution required and the qualities of the camera system the body surface is recorded in 'patches', i.e., areas of a defined extension (in the present case 500 mmx500 mmx200 mm) which are marked with a body fixed reference frame to grant the exact matching of the data after the recording process. Length, perimeter, square and volume of the body segments and injuries can be determined. Furthermore the natural colour of the wounds can be used for an immediate classification according to the intensity of the impact forces. In addition the 3-D coordinates of the body surface including the wounds can be transferred into an animated computer simulation for the reconstruction of the traumatic events.     

PREVENTING JUDICIALLY MANDATED ORPHANS

The courts intrude into the sancity of family relationships too often, especially with respect to impoverished families. Many circumtances found in such families, including economic factors, employment, and drug and alcohol abuse, are prevalent in poor communities. Instead of stripping children from their parents, the courts should aid families by targeting common problems and helping to preserve the parent-child relationship. This article focuses on the conflicting interests comprising the child protective system, some federal and state child welfare legislation, the idea of increasing the standard of proof in termination Not only is that proceedings, and the constitutionality of relecant legislation and its implementation. Not only is that legislation unconstitutional, but it is unfair to impovershed families, and not completely ineffective at reaching its goal.     

HIV/AIDS legal issues in the United States

The HIV/AIDS epidemic continues to be a leading public health issue in the United States. During the past decade, the epidemic has shifted away from the gay community, although gay and bisexual men continue to be the largest single HIV exposure category. Now, HIV increasingly affects low-income people of colour in urban areas, as well as women. As AIDS becomes more and more a minority, inner-city disease, public focus on the epidemic as a significant social and political issue is waning. While a full survey of current issues in US law is beyond the scope of this article, the focus here is on current issues that are highly relevant to the direction the epidemic appears to be taking.