Evaluation of the cognitive intervention programme ‘A New Direction’ targeting young offenders in Sweden

The treatment of offenders has changed from focusing on risk management to also emphasizing salutogenic experiences as a protective factor. The programme ‘A New Direction’ involves cognitive intervention combining the above-mentioned approaches to treat young criminals and young persons at risk of developing a criminal lifestyle. In evaluating this programme, 61 participants from the Swedish social services and youth care facilities were divided into two treatment groups and two control groups. All participants were subjected to pre- and post-measurements using two questionnaires: the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-13). The two treatment groups followed the programme during one week and 9–30 weeks, respectively, with the control groups measured at approximately the corresponding time intervals. The results show reduced PICTS from high to low levels and increased SOC only for the multi-week treatment group. Although the recidivism analysis revealed a greater reduction of convicted offences in the multi-week treatment group compared with the control group, the finding is tentative because of small sample sizes. To conclude, cognitive intervention shows promise for reducing criminal thinking patterns and increasing sense of coherence, which may have beneficial effects on the behaviour of young offenders.     

Comparison of four DNA extraction methods to extract DNA from cigarette butts collected in Lebanon

Cigarette butts collected from crime scenes represent valuable sources of DNA. However the extraction of the genetic material may deem challenging especially when different contaminants may compromise the integrity, quality, and quantity of DNA obtained. This study aims at comparing four extraction methods (Chelex-100, soaking + Chelex-100, Chelex-100?+?PK, and DNA IQ? System) with the intention of identifying the one with maximal recovery rate and profiling success. DNA was extracted using aforementioned four methods from 70 cigarette butts collected from sites across Lebanon. DNA was quantified by qPCR using TaqMan Quantifiler Kit on an Applied Biosystems 7300 SDS instrument and genotypes were obtained using the PowerPlex® 21 kit on an Applied Biosystems 3130 Genetic Analyser. The findings of this work showed that DNA extraction with Chelex-100?+?PK is preferred to the other three methods when seeking both, a high yield and the generation of maximal numbers of full profiles. The Chelex-100?+?PK method is simple, cost effective, and therefore suitable for routine cigarette butts case studies.     

Device and methods for the measurement of energy transfer in experiments involving thermal and electrical injuries of skin

This work is part of a larger investigation aiming at tracing differences between injuries caused by heat and electricity. Electrodes and heaters similar to the electrodes of an electric cattle baton are used to dissipate approximately 40 joules in 40 seconds in pig skin.Voltages in the range 40–60 volts (AC or DC) are applied via stainless steel electrodes and temperatures in the range 50–100 °C are applied via heaters made of copper wire. Heat transfer is controlled by electronically regulated heaters utilizing the temperature dependence of the heater wire itself as a thermometer.Transfer of electricity takes place from either commerical DC supply, from transformed voltage from the mains or from a sine voltage generator connected to a power amplifier. The energy transfer is in all cases measured by electronic integration of the dissipated power in time. The power supplied to the electrodes or the heaters is found by electronic multiplication of the applied voltage and current.Typical power vs. time curves are presented.     

Detection of diatom in formalin-fixed tissue by proteinase K digestion

The diatoms detection has been proposed to be useful in the diagnosis of drowning. Enzymatic digestion of unfixed lung tissues and other organs with proteinase K is widely employed to detect diatoms. Handling unfixed organs or blood from the bodies with some infectious diseases could prove to be dangerous. In this study, we examined the application of enzymatic digestion for diatom detection to formalin-fixed lung obtained at autopsy. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of hydrogen peroxide on the contamination of the lung specimen with foreign bodies inhaled in the course of drowning, smoking, or air pollution. Formalin-fixed lung was heated in 0.01 M Tris–HCl buffer (pH 7.5) containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (tissue lysis-buffer), with or without glycine. Thereafter, the lung was subjected to enzymatic digestion with proteinase K. A part of formalin-fixed or unfixed samples digested with proteinase K were incubated with hydrogen peroxide at 80 °C for 6 h or 12 h, while the residues were processed without incubation. Formalin-fixed samples heated in tissue lysis-buffer with glycine could be digested with proteinase K; further, the number and proportion of diatoms detected in both formalin-fixed and unfixed samples were observed to be similar. The results suggest that enzymatic detection of diatoms can be applied to formalin-fixed organs by heating the samples in glycine-containing tissue lysis-buffer. As the use of formalin-fixed tissue for diatom detection can decrease risk of contamination by pathogenic organisms during the course of enzymatic digestion, the method presented in this study would be beneficial, to some extent, to individuals performing diatom analysis. Moreover, our results suggest that archival organs stored in formalin solution could be available in diatom detection over a long time-period following autopsies. Clearer image of diatoms was observed in the specimen incubated with hydrogen peroxide for 6 h, in which inhaled foreign bodies were discolored, than those not subjected to incubation. Therefore, incubation of sample digested with hydrogen peroxide in the limited time would be helpful for quantitative and qualitative diatom analysis.     

Automated processing of forensic casework samples using robotic workstations equipped with nondisposable tips: contamination prevention

An automated process has been developed for the analysis of forensic casework samples using TECAN Genesis RSP 150/8 or Freedom EVO liquid handling workstations equipped exclusively with nondisposable tips. Robot tip cleaning routines have been incorporated strategically within the DNA extraction process as well as at the end of each session. Alternative options were examined for cleaning the tips and different strategies were employed to verify cross-contamination. A 2% sodium hypochlorite wash (1/5th dilution of the 10.8% commercial bleach stock) proved to be the best overall approach for preventing cross-contamination of samples processed using our automated protocol. The bleach wash steps do not adversely impact the short tandem repeat (STR) profiles developed from DNA extracted robotically and allow for major cost savings through the implementation of fixed tips. We have demonstrated that robotic workstations equipped with fixed pipette tips can be used with confidence with properly designed tip washing routines to process casework samples using an adapted magnetic bead extraction protocol.     

Gesetzliches Vorzugspfandrecht der Eigentümergemeinschaft nach § 27 WEG 2002 – detaillierte Forderungsanmeldung für die Meistbotsverteilung im Exekutionsverfahren

Wenn Mindest-/Miteigentumsanteile eines s?umigen Wohnungseigentümers zwangsversteigert worden sind, müssen die entsprechenden gesetzlichen Vorzugspfandrechte nach § 27 WEG 2002 sp?testens in der Verteilungstagsatzung gem § 210 EO angemeldet werden, da diese von Amts wegen nicht zu berücksichtigen sind. Die Anmeldung hat alle anspruchsbegründenden Tatsachen, n?mlich Zeitpunkt der "rückst?ndigen", f?lligen Forderungen, H?he der angemeldeten Forderungen samt Rechtsgründen sowie Bestehen der gesetzlichen Vorzugspfandrechte und deren Deckung in den Meistboten, detailliert zu enthalten. Deshalb ist eine blo? "globale" Forderungsanmeldung unzul?ssig; sie muss vielmehr so aufgeschlüsselt werden, dass die Forderungen den einzelnen WE-Objekten und den die entsprechenden Mindestanteile sichernden gesetzlichen Vorzugspfandrechten zugeordnet werden k?nnen. Sollten einzelne in Exekution gezogene Mindestanteile samt den damit verbundenen WE-Objekten keinen Erwerber finden, dürfen die durch die gesetzlichen Vorzugspfandrechte gesicherten Forderungen nicht durch jene Meistbote befriedigt werden, die für die anderen, erfolgreich zwangsversteigerten WE-Objekte erzielt worden sind.     

Wirksamkeit einer Beschlussfassung bei anonymer Stimmabgabe und Auszählung durch einen Notar

Die Enthebung und Bestellung des Verwalters geh?rt zu jenen Rechtsgesch?ften, die gem § 24 Abs 3 WEG einen Stimmrechtsausschluss gebieten, wenn durch das Naheverh?ltnis eines Wohnungseigentümers zum Verwalter Gemeinschaftsinteressen auf dem Spiel stehen. Das hat umso mehr zu gelten, wenn ein Miteigentümer selbst zum Verwalter bestellt ist. Bei Abbestellung eines Hausverwalters unter Neubestellung eines anderen Hausverwalters ist von zwei getrennten Beschlussgegenst?nden auszugehen, so dass der Stimmrechtsausschluss des betroffenen Wohnungseigentümers nur den ersten Beschlussgegenstand (Abbestellung des Hausverwalters) betrifft. Das "Transparenzgebot" betreffend das Abstimmungsverhalten der Mit- und Wohnungseigentümer sowie der Modalit?ten des Abstimmungsvorgangs ist schon auf der Rechtsgrundlage vor der WRN 2006 zu bejahen. Beschr?nkungen dieses Informationsanspruchs stellen eine wesentliche Behinderung des Beschlussanfechtungsrechts der überstimmten Minderheit dar und sind daher mit dem aus § 24 Abs 7 WEG 2002 folgenden Grundgedanken unvereinbar. Die Ankündigung einer gesetzwidrigen Anonymit?t (hier: Ausz?hlung durch einen Notar) erfasst und behindert bereits die Grundlage der Willensbildung der Mit- und Wohnungseigentümer, ist doch nicht auszuschlie?en, dass sich Einzelne gerade aus diesem Grund überhaupt nicht am Abstimmungsvorgang beteiligten.