FACE‐R—A 3D Database of 400 Living Individuals' Full Head CT‐ and Face Scans and Preliminary GMM Analysis for Craniofacial Reconstruction

In the past, improvements in craniofacial reconstructions (CFR) methodology languished due to the lack of adequate 3D databases that were sufficiently large and appropriate for 3‐dimensional shape statistics. In our study, we created the “FACE‐R” database from CT records and 3D surface scans of 400 clinical patients from Hungary, providing a significantly larger sample that was available before. The uniqueness of our database is linking of two data types that makes possible to investigate the bone and skin surface of the same individual, in upright position, thus eliminating many of the gravitational effects on the face during CT scanning. We performed a preliminary geometric morphometric (GMM) study using 3D data that produces a general idea of skull and face shape correlations. The vertical position of the tip of the (soft) nose for a skull and landmarks such as rhinion need to be taken into account. Likewise, the anterior nasal spine appears to exert some influence in this regard.     

Privacy by design and anonymisation techniques in action: Case study of Match technology

Privacy by Design is now enjoying widespread acceptance. The EU has recently expressly included it as one of the key principles in the revised data protection legal framework. But how does Privacy by design and data anonymisation work in practise? In this article the authors address this question from a practical point of view by analysing a case study on EU Financial Intelligence Units (“FIUs”) using the Ma³tch technology as additional feature to the existing exchange of information via FIU.NET decentralised computer network. They present, analyse, and evaluate Ma³tch technology from the perspective of personal data protection. The authors conclude that Ma³tch technology can be seen as a valuable example of Privacy by Design. It achieves data anonymisation and enhances data minimisation and data security, which are the fundamental elements of Privacy by Design. Therefore, it may not only improve the exchange of information among FIUs and allow for the data processing to be in line with applicable data protection requirements, but it may also substantially contribute to the protection of privacy of related data subjects. At the same time, the case study clearly shows that Privacy by Design needs to be supported and complemented by appropriate organisational and technical procedures to assure that the technology solutions devised to protect privacy would in fact do so.     

Concordance Between the AmpFℓSTR® MiniFiler™ and AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® PCR Amplification Kits in the Kuwaiti Population

Abstract:  The AmpFℓSTR^® MiniFiler™ polymerase chain reaction amplification kit, developed and supplied by Applied Biosystems, complements the AmpFℓSTR^® Identifiler^® polymerase chain reaction amplification kit (Applied Biosystems, Warrington, U.K.) by improving the success rate when profiling DNA that is degraded or contains inhibitors. Before applying the MiniFiler™ kit to casework, the profiles from 200 unrelated Kuwaitis were compared to Identifiler^® profiles. Concordance was observed for 99.875% (1598 of 1600) of the compared STR loci. The two discordant profiles displayed allelic dropout: one at the D13S317 locus due to nonamplification of allele 10 in the MiniFiler™ profile, and one at the D18S51 locus due to nonamplification of allele 18 in the Identifiler^® profile.     

Validation of the AMPFℓSTR® MiniFilerTM PCR Amplification Kit for Use in Forensic Casework*

Abstract: The AmpF?STR^® MiniFiler^TM PCR Amplification Kit is designed to genotype degraded and/or inhibited DNA samples when the AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^TM PCR Amplification Kit is incapable of generating a complete genetic profile. Validation experiments, following the SWGDAM guidelines, were designed to evaluate the performance of MiniFiler. Data obtained demonstrated that MiniFiler, when used in conjunction with Identifiler, provided an increased ability to obtain genetic profiles from challenged samples. The optimum template range was found to be between 0.2 and 0.6 ng, with 0.3 ng yielding the best results. Full concordance was achieved between the MiniFiler kit and Identifiler kit except in a single case of a null allele at locus D21S11. Numerous instances of severe heterozygous peak imbalance (<50%) were observed in single source samples amplified within the optimum range of input DNA suggesting that caution be taken when attempting to deduce component genotypes in a mixture.     

Validation of the Short Amplicon Multiplex Q8 Including the German DNA Database Systems*

Abstract: We have developed a concept to enable the analyzing of degraded stains with limited DNA template quantity. Therefore we have constructed a short tandem repeat (STR) multiplex including the German DNA database systems (Q8). The amplicon lengths are smaller than 280 bp. For the validation of Q8 over 50 degraded samples were investigated. Amplifications were performed with “low copy number” PCR, the number of PCR cycles was increased to 33 and the reaction volume was decreased to 12.5 μL. Compared with the MPX2 and Nonaplex kit, the average success rate was increased using the Q8 kit by approximately 20% and 30%, respectively. The efficiency of a sensitive STR multiplex with reduced amplicon lengths was confirmed in comparing the success rates of Q8 for typing degraded samples and samples with limited amount of DNA template while partial profiles were observed with the majority of the samples using commercially available kits.     

Determining an Optimal Sequence for Chemical Development of Latent Prints on Cartridge Casings and Shotgun Shells*,†

Abstract: In developing latent prints on cartridge casings and shotgun shells, multiple chemical processes should be used in order to obtain the best results. In Phase I, this study established an optimal chemical sequence for both Brass and Nickel cartridge casings based on six sequences involving four chemicals: Cyanoacrylate, Black Powder, Rhodamine 6G and Acidified Hydrogen Peroxide. Phase II was a validation study of Phase I involving a random sample of both Brass and Nickel cartridge casings, which were processed according to the determined optimal sequences. In addition, ribbed shotgun shells were processed under Phase I results and determined to be dependent upon the utilization of a CrimeScope at 515 nm. Consideration should be given to the type of cartridge case being examined. Although limitations exist, some chemical sequences undeniably work better than others. All photographs were manipulated with Adobe^® Photoshop^®. All results were verified by a senior latent print examiner.     

Niederlassungsbewilligungen aus humanitären Gründen: Antragsrecht des betroffenen Einzelnen verfassungsrechtlich erforderlich

§11 Abs3 NAG schafftkeine M?glichkeit der Antragstellung auf Erteilung eines humanit?ren Aufenthaltstitels. Auf Grund der Art 8 iVm 13 MRK und aus rechtsstaatlichen Erw?gungen muss neben einer Erteilung von Amts wegen auch ein Antragsrecht des in seinen subjektiven Rechten Betroffenen auf Erteilung eines humanit?ren Aufenthaltstitels vorgesehen sein.     

Unzulässigkeit des Rechtswegs für Klage einer Gemeinde gegen Postamtsauflösung

Informationen und Stellungnahmen der Gemeinden zu einer beabsichtigten Schlie?ung von Post?mtern sind in § 4 Abs 5 PostG 1997 idF nach der Novelle 2006 in die Beurteilung des nach dieser Bestimmung zu erstellenden Universaldienstkonzeptes eingebettet. Diese Beurteilung kommt nunmehr dem BMVIT zu. In diesem Rahmen hat das BMVIT auch die M?glichkeit, die Schlie?ung einzelner Gesch?ftsstellen mit Bescheid zu untersagen. Dabei sind die gesetzlich festgelegten Kriterien anzuwenden. Damit ist klargestellt, dass die geltend gemachten Rechtspositionen im Rahmen eines Verwaltungsverfahrens einer überprüfung zugeführt werden k?nnen. Die im Rahmen des Prüfungsverfahrens nach § 4 Abs 5 PostG 1997 den Gemeinden einger?umten Rechte k?nnen nun aber nicht mehr als auf Gleichbehandlung beruhende privatrechtliche Rechtsbeziehungen zwischen beliebigen Rechtssubjekten angesehen werden, über die im Zweifel von den ordentlichen Gerichten zu entscheiden w?re. Für eine auf die genannten Bestimmungen gestützte Klage ist daher der Rechtsweg unzul?ssig.     

Geographic and technological R&;D spillovers within the triad: micro evidence from US patents

This paper aims at assessing the magnitude of R&D spillover effects on large international R&D companies’ productivity growth. In particular, we investigate the extent to which R&D spillover effects are intensified by both geographic and technological proximities between spillover generating and receiving firms. We also control for the firm’s ability to identify, assimilate and absorb the external knowledge stock. The results estimated by means of panel data econometric methods (system GMM) indicate a positive and significant impact of both types of R&D spillovers and of absorptive capacity on productivity performance.