Positional Asphyxia in Opioid-Related Deaths: Is It Being Overlooked?

The contribution of positional asphyxia in opioid-related deaths is currently unknown. Diagnostic criteria for positional asphyxia include finding the decedent in a position that does not allow for adequate respiration and an inability to extricate themselves from the position due to various conditions. Our primary objective was to assess whether positional asphyxia and the resulting airway compromise were a contributing factor to death due to the toxic effects of opioids. We evaluated 225 deaths where the death scene investigation contained adequate information to evaluate for positional asphyxia and performed a Pearson chi-square test to determine if the proportion of deaths found in an airway compromising position was higher when opioid(s) caused the death. The proportion of decedents found in a potential airway compromising position was greater when the death was related to opioid use (p < 0.0001). Further, narrowing the dataset to decedents who were definitely in an airway compromising position [Yes (24.49%) vs. No (11.02%)] showed a statistically significant association between positional asphyxia and deaths related to opioid use (p = 0.0021). Carefully documenting the position in which the decedent was initially found may be a significant factor in accurate reporting and in harm reduction efforts to decrease the opioid mortality rate.     

毒物分析在侦查破案中的应用

毒物分析主要研究涉及法律问题的生物检材或其他检材中毒物的分离与鉴定,能查明中毒原因,澄清案件性质,在死因鉴定中是不可或缺的关键环节。近年来,随着毒物检验鉴定技术的不断发展,毒物分析技术手段已在侦查破案中发挥着越来越重要的作用。本文报道了两起中毒死亡的案例,通过运用气相色谱-质谱联用技术,在关键检材中分别检出特丁硫磷和一氧化碳目标物质,后结合现场勘查等材料成功侦破,还原了案件真实面目,突显了毒物分析技术在服务和支撑实战中发挥的决定性作用。     

Geomatic techniques in forensic science: A review

The purpose of this review paper is to highlight various geomatic techniques that crime scene reconstructionists or forensic practitioners can use to document different kinds of scenes, highlighting the advantages, disadvantages, and when best to use each technology. This paper explores geomatic techniques such as a total station, photogrammetry, laser scanners and structured light scanners and how they can be used to reconstruct crime scenes. The goal of this paper is not to discredit manual methods, as they are long standing and reliable, but instead to shed light on alternative methods that may produce equally or more accurate results with a more visually appealing final product. It is important for law enforcement and forensic professionals to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, knowing when certain techniques should be used (and when they should not), and being able to revert to traditional methods if required.     

浅析治安案件的证据收集

治安部门的现场执法活动是一种特殊的治安行政管理行为。行政权的独立性和权威性,使得治安管理机关在执法活动中对证据的收集、确认、使用不像刑侦部门那样规范。对于广大民警来说,需要进一步强化证据意识和学习证据方面的法律法规,靠证据说话,否则会授人以柄。治安管理工作的一个重要环节就是对违反治安管理行为给以行政（治安）处罚,而处罚的核心就是要用证据证明案件的事实,并以此作为处罚的事实依据。     

现场勘查与程序正义、人权保障

现场勘查是刑事案件侦查当中的一个重要环节。现场勘查处理的好坏往往成为一起刑事案件成败与否的关键。针对当前现场勘查中存在的问题,必须强调在现场勘查过程中要注意程序问题,以确保程序正义的实现;并且也要充分体现出其保障人权的价值,否则,现场勘查的价值就会逊色很多。     

刑事犯罪现场勘查人员构成模式之探讨

世界各国犯罪现场勘查人员构成模式主要有技术人员勘查、检察官或司法警察勘查、侦查人员勘查、侦查员和技术员共同勘查等四种。根据我国国情，可借鉴第四种模式，对传统的以技术人员为主的勘查模式进行改革，根据现场复杂程度，建立“侦查员直勘”、“侦、技协作”和“专家会诊复查”等分级式现场勘查人员构成模式，这种模式的运行不仅是必要的而且是可行的。     

对犯罪现场“心理痕迹”若干问题的探讨

犯罪现场心理痕迹是侦查学研究的热点问题之一,它包括犯罪心理痕迹、非犯罪心理痕迹和被害人心理痕迹,这些心理痕迹具有重要的侦查价值。犯罪现场心理痕迹的捕捉过程实际上就是其再现的过程,在分析现场心理痕迹时要注意一因多果行为、偶然因素的影响,同时,对心理痕迹的侦查价值应持理性态度。     

The value of DNA material recovered from crime scenes

Abstract:  DNA material is now collected routinely from crime scenes for a wide range of offenses and its timely processing is acknowledged as a key element to its success in solving crime. An analysis of the processing of approximately 1500 samples of DNA material recovered from the property crime offenses of residential burglary, commercial burglary, and theft of motor vehicle in Northamptonshire, U.K. during 2006 identified saliva and cigarette ends as the main sources of DNA recovered (approximately 63% of samples) with blood, cellular DNA, and chewing gum accounting for the remainder. The conversion of these DNA samples into DNA profiles and then into matches with offender profiles held on the U.K. National DNA database is considered in terms of the ease with which Crime Scene Examiners can recover DNA rich samples of different sources, the location of the DNA at the crime scene, and its mobility. A logistical regression of the DNA material recovered has revealed a number of predictors, other than timeliness, that greatly influence its conversion into a DNA profile. The most significant predictor was found to be Crime Scene Examiner accreditation with offense type and DNA sample condition also being relevant. A similar logistical regression of DNA samples profiled that produced a match with an offender on the U.K. National DNA database showed no significance with any of the predictors considered.     

论犯罪现场模拟

犯罪现场模拟是模拟类比推理在侦查破案中的具体运用,在侦查实践中具有较高的应用价值。本文就犯罪现场模拟的相关概念及其实施依据,犯罪现场模拟的特点,犯罪现场模拟的动态过程及其常用方法等问题做出了系统性论述,以期进一步推广犯罪现场模拟在现实中的规范应用。     

论现场心理痕迹分析

当前,无论是侦查理论界还是侦查实务界对现场心理痕迹分析都有一定的研究,并取得了相应的成果。但相比国外的犯罪现场分析法、侦查心理学和行为证据分析法的研究,国内的研究仍处于＂潜科学阶段＂,未形成系统的观点和理论且实践性研究较为薄弱,与理性研究还有一定差距。为了更好地为侦查破案服务,现场心理痕迹分析研究应条理化、系统化和模式化。在切实加强基础理论研究的同时,借鉴英美国家的研究方法,对已破案件的犯罪嫌疑人进行访谈,通过案例积累,为基础理论研究提供丰富的素材,建立符合我国国情的犯罪行为人心理分析指标体系,并将培养专业的心理痕迹分析人员作为公安队伍建设的一项长期计划。