Mitochondrial DNA Validation in a State Laboratory*,†

Abstract: Because of the inception of the FBI Regional mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) laboratories, many do not see establishing state/local mtDNA processing laboratories as a priority. Yet there is a long‐term need for mtDNA processing that will exceed the capabilities of the FBI Regional mtDNA laboratories and the few other laboratories that are currently processing mtDNA, and that need can be fulfilled by state/local laboratories. Thus, the DNA Unit of the Delaware Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME‐DNA Unit) completed validation of in‐house mtDNA testing in January 2007. The validation plan for mtDNA processing included the following sections: preliminary research, sensitivity and contamination studies, ExoSAP‐IT^® optimization, BigDye^® optimization, sequencing and 310 optimization, sample preparation and extraction optimization, heteroplasmy, mixtures, and reproducibility. All sections of the validation were successfully completed, and mtDNA processing of skeletal remains, teeth, and hairs, as well as blood and buccal reference samples was adopted by the OCME‐DNA Unit.     

清末改革司法职权配置考察

清末改革中按照立宪政体和三权分立模式建立起相对独立的司法权体系,但法部的司法行政权过大,处处与大理院争权,对审判权的独立行使构成阻碍。大理院内审判权与检察权初步实现了职权独立和相互制约,但对外都受到法部的制约,难以发挥各自应有的作用。清末缺少足够的新式法律人才、配套法律和财政支撑,社会也没有相应的思想准备,尤其是清政府力图强化中央集权和政策统一的指导思想都影响了新建立的司法权体系的独立运行。     

公安机关审理金融犯罪案件具体适用法律若干疑难问题探讨

本文对公安机关审理金融犯罪案件时常见的疑难问题进行了探讨,认为承包企业、单位的内部组织能成为金融犯罪主体;单位不能成为贷款诈骗罪的主体;金融诈骗罪均须"以非法占有为目的"作为构成要件;破坏证券交易管理秩序罪中"情节严重"的数额标准不能过低;保险诈骗罪存在未遂的情形.     

Collection and direct amplification methods using the GlobalFiler™ kit for DNA recovered from common pipe bomb substrates

When analyzing DNA from exploded pipe bombs, quantities are often in trace amounts, making DNA typing extremely difficult. Amplifying minute amounts of DNA can cause stochastic effects resulting in partial or uninterpretable profiles. Therefore, the initial DNA collection from “touch” evidence must be optimized to maximize the amount of DNA available for analysis.This proof-of-concept study evaluated two different swab types with two direct amplification strategies to identify the most effective method for recovering DNA from common pipe bomb substrates. PVC and steel pipes, electrical tape, and copper wire spiked with epithelial cells were swabbed with cotton or microFLOQ® Direct Swabs and amplified directly or via a pre-treatment prior to STR amplification.Not only was the microFLOQ® Direct Swab protocol the quickest method with the least risk of contamination, but in combination with direct amplification, the microFLOQ® Direct Swabs also generated the most complete STR profiles.     

The Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018: Updating the Federal Approach to Youth Involved,and At‐Risk of Becoming Involved,in the Juvenile Justice System

On December 21, 2018, the Juvenile Justice Reform Act was signed into law, marking the first update in 16 years to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, as amended. The reforms reflect much of the knowledge that has been gained through research and science over the past decade and strengthen the Act’s core protections for youth in the juvenile justice system. The changes also expand the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s role in research, and technical assistance, and provide for additional oversight for related programs.