An evaluation of measurement uncertainty of trajectory angles using a 3D laser scanner

Measuring trajectory angles of bullet defects at a crime scene is an important part of crime scene investigation as these angles can be used for shooting incident reconstructions. The Washington State Patrol Crime Scene Response Team (WSP CSRT) had a desire to report and use measured trajectory angles. To report quantitative measurements, a statement of uncertainty for the measurement must also be reported due to an accreditation requirement through the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), through which the WSP CSRT is accredited. This evaluation examined the measurement uncertainty of the 3D laser scanning method that the WSP CSRT utilizes for measuring the vertical and azimuth angles from trajectory rods fitted to bullet defects. Three studies were performed which examined the variation of vertical and azimuth angle measurements from trajectory rods on flat surfaces, the variation of azimuth angle measurements from a trajectory rod on a curved surface, and a traceability study with known vertical and azimuth angle measurements. Seven common substrates were selected as target materials and were shot with 9 mm Luger and 0.45 Auto caliber bullets. A vehicle with one bullet defect was utilized for the curved surface study. The WSP's current fleet of Trimble X7 3D laser scanners, the WSP Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Detectives who operate these scanners, and the Forensic Scientists responsible for trajectory rod placement and angle measurements were utilized. An overall measurement uncertainty of +/− 2.6 degrees at an approximate 95% confidence interval was determined for all trajectory angles measured from trajectory rods.     

Detection of microRNAs in DNA Extractions for Forensic Biological Source Identification

Molecular‐based approaches for biological source identification are of great interest in the forensic community because of a lack of sensitivity and specificity in current methods. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been considered due to their robust nature and tissue specificity; however, analysis requires a separate RNA extraction, requiring an additional step in the forensic analysis workflow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate miRNA detection in blood, semen, and saliva using DNA extraction methods commonly utilized for forensic casework. RT‐qPCR analysis revealed that the tested miRNAs were consistently detectable across most tested DNA extraction methods, but detection was significantly reduced compared to RNA extracts in some biological fluids. DNase treatment was not necessary to achieve miRNA‐specific results. A previously developed miRNA panel for forensic body fluid identification was evaluated using DNA extracts, and largely demonstrated concordance with results from samples deriving from RNA extracts of semen, blood, and saliva.     

法庭科学中泥土物证XRF检验数据的分析研判

目的 对元素分析产生的大量数据进行统计,从而达到准确对样品进行区分和归类的目的.方法 利用X射线荧光光谱法对从北京郊区10个区县、辽宁沈阳、安徽泗县、四川泸州、山东威海和广西南宁提取的225个泥土样品进行元素定量分析.采用SPSS软件中欧氏距离计算泥土样品间的差异,利用主成分分析法进行样品归类.结果 确定了不同空间距离样品间差异的欧氏距离的阈值.主成分分析法可对225个泥土进行较为准确的分类.结论 欧氏距离值可为泥土样品的比对提供量化比对依据,利用主成分分析法可推断未知泥土样品的来源.     

Numerous,Capable, and Well-Funded Rebels: Insurgent Military Effectiveness and Deadly Attacks in Afghanistan

Why do some of Afghanistan's provinces experience more deadly attacks on counterinsurgents than others? We argue that provinces with more militarily effective insurgents will be deadlier for the forces of the counterinsurgency. We posit that insurgent military effectiveness is an interactive function of the rebel group's size, the quality of its recruits, and the group's operational budget. More militarily effective insurgents should, in turn, produce more deadly violence against Coalition forces. We model this relationship at the provincial level in Afghanistan using negative binomial regressions. Ultimately, we find that in provinces where the insurgency is more militarily effective, deadly attacks against counterinsurgent forces occur more often. Based on this finding, we conclude with directions for future research and policy recommendations for both the current operations in Afghanistan and for future counterinsurgency campaigns.     

警情含量与三分警务实战训练等级层次研究

基于对中国警务实战训练现状、普通警察与特殊警察不同、警察与军人区别等的分析,警务实战训练依据的警情含量可以分为初级、中级和高级三个不同的等级层次;同时训练等级层次的划分必然要求把量化警务实战训练硬件设施指标、进一步理清人与装备及其构成战斗力的关系这两大问题摆到应有的位置。     

Evaluating the Efficiency of Primer Extension Capture as a Method to Enrich DNA Extractions,

In this study, we sought to document the efficiency of primer extension capture (PEC) as a method to enrich DNA eluates of targeted DNA molecules and remove nontarget molecules from pools containing both. Efficiency of the method was estimated by comparing number of “copies in” to “copies out” by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. PEC retention of DNA targets ranging 109‐288 base pairs (bps) in length was 15.88–2.14% (i.e., loss of 84.12–97.86% of target molecules). Experimental modifications of the PEC method resulted in no significant improvements. However, the benefit of PEC was revealed in its ability to remove most nontarget DNA molecules (99.99%). We also discovered that many (56.69%) of the target molecules are “lost” prior to their immobilization on the streptavidin‐coated beads. These estimates of methodological efficiency are directly comparable to previous ones observed following “fishing” for DNA, an alternative method for DNA enrichment.     

微博犯罪与刑法应对

微博犯罪分为三种基本类型,其中微博作为犯罪对象依然可能,作为犯罪工具最为常见,作为犯罪空间正当其时。微博犯罪的对应罪名体系依据行为性质分为三大类型,内容行为、图利行为和其他行为分别对应数个罪名,各自适用情况有所不同;对微博犯罪具体适用何罪应当重视罪状中的"关键词"扩容,发展其立案追诉标准。未来需要根据微博犯罪罪名、定性和定量三方面的反思对其刑法策略进行系统完善。     

近红外光谱法快速分析玄参药材中毛蕊花糖苷含量

目的 建立玄参药材指标成分毛蕊花糖苷的近红外光谱快速定量模型。方法 采用偏最小二乘法建立玄参药材中毛蕊花糖苷的近红外光谱多元校正模型，并对未知样品进行含量预测。结果 校正模型相关系数r＝0.998 53，验证集预测误差平方根为0.027 3，验证集平均相对误差为3.7%。结论 近红外光谱检测快速，模型预测效果好，可用于玄参药材中毛蕊花糖苷的快速测定。     

Quantitative criminology in The Netherlands

This article briefly describes quantitative criminology in The Netherlands since the seventies. Dutch quantitative criminologists have been active in most fields of the discipline of criminology: research has been done on the etiology of crime and, in relation to this, the self-report methodology. A number of victimization surveys have been executed, and in relation to this, attention was given to fear of crime, victims in the judicial system, and situational approaches to crime. There has been research on policy evaluation, sentencing, and differential treatment in the criminal justice system, and alternative sanctions. Recently three major international studies have been coordinated by Dutch criminologists: an international self-report study, an international victim survey of households, and an international survey of victimization among businesses. In this article we describe the first two studies and briefly compare some of their features. Overall, it appears that Dutch quantitative criminology is embedded in the international mainstream of criminology and, in general, has been strongly related to policy concerns.     

犯罪数额的理论基础——犯罪概念的定量因素

犯罪数额是犯罪定量的重要体现，犯罪定量因素是犯罪数额的存在根据。为了正确评价犯罪数额在定罪量刑中的地位和作用，必须从一般理论角度，对犯罪定量因素进行研究。笔者重点讨论犯罪概念中定量因素的存在性、价值蕴含以及在司法实践中犯罪定量因素的判断和理解存在的困境。