Legislative genesis and judicial death of a directive: The European Court of Justice invalidated the data retention directive (2006/24/EC) thereby creating a sustained period of legal uncertainty about the validity of national laws which enacted it

The Grand Chamber has ruled that the data retention directive was invalid ex tunc since it seriously interfered with the fundamental rights to respect for private life and protection of personal data and exceeded the limits of the principle of proportionality which are provided for in the Charter. The scope and temporal effects of this ruling should be clarified, especially its legal impacts on national laws of Member States which enacted the directive. In addition, the findings of the Grand Chamber on geographical safeguards have far-reaching implications on the retention and storage of personal data in the EU.     

Analysis of Job Market in Germany and Spain in Order to Reduce Unemployment in Serbia

The percentage of unemployed in Germany was at the lower level than in Spain until 2004. In 2004, the percentage of jobless citizens in Germany almost reached Spanish average, while in 2005 and 2006, German unemployment rate even overcame Spanish one. During the period of the crisis, unemployment rate in Spain has been nearly five times higher than in Germany and more than two times higher than the average unemployment rate in the EU. Youth unemployment in Spain is 50%. On the other side, Germany is becoming even stronger in the period of crisis The incredible recovery that Germany experienced after World War II is commonly referred to as the Wirtschaftswunder, which translates into English as the ＂economic miracle＂. It can be said that Germany＇s successful recovery following the global financial crisis could justifiably be classified as the Wirtschaftswunder II. In Serbia, situation is much worse than in above-mentioned countries and it could not be concluded that it is just caused by the crisis. Periods of wars, economic sanctions and hyperinflation, as well as the transition process from the centrally planned to the market economy caused great number of jobs to be lost.     

Developmental validation of the AmpFℓSTR® Identifiler® Plus PCR Amplification Kit: an established multiplex assay with improved performance

Abstract: Analysis of length polymorphism at short tandem repeat (STR) loci utilizing multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) remains the primary method for genotyping forensic samples. The AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® Plus PCR Amplification Kit is an improved version of the AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® PCR Amplification Kit and amplifies the core CODIS loci: D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, CSF1PO, FGA, TH01, TPOX, and vWA. Additional loci amplified in the multiplex reaction are the sex‐determinant, amelogenin, and two internationally accepted loci, D2S1338 and D19S433. While the primer sequences and dye configurations were unchanged, the AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® Plus PCR Amplification Kit features an enhanced buffer formulation and an optimized PCR cycling protocol that increases sensitivity, provides better tolerance to PCR inhibitors, and improves performance on mixture samples. The AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® Plus PCR Amplification Kit has been validated according to the FBI/National Standards and Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) guidelines. The validation results support the use of the AmpF?STR^® Identifiler^® Plus PCR Amplification Kit for human identity and parentage testing.     

Data processing by police and criminal justice authorities in Europe – The influence of the Commission's draft on the national police laws and laws of criminal procedure

The proposal for a fundamental reform of the European data protection law, published by the EU Commission on 25 January 2012 is composed of two elements. Apart from a General Data Protection Regulation, the Commission proposes a second regulatory instrument, namely a Directive with regard to data processing by police and criminal justice authorities that shall supersede the Council Framework Decision 2008/977/JHA. This paper seeks to analyse the draft Directive in the context of the entire reform approach and scrutinizes a number of specific issues in regard to the scope, the requirements of data processing, notification duties and data transfer to third countries.     

Y-chromosome and autosomal STR diversity in four proximate settlements in Central Anatolia

Due to the longstanding human presence in the region and the influence of social traditions, the genetic make-up of populations currently inhabiting Turkey (Anatolia) is quite complex. To characterize the patterns of genetic diversity in rural Central Anatolian villages, we analyzed samples collected at four local settlements for variation at 17 Y-chromosome STR and 15 autosomal STR loci. The resulting data reveal considerable diversity within these settlements, as well as some structure in the paternal genetic variation, with a limited number of haplotypes being shared between the communities. These findings have important implications for forensic studies of Turkish populations.     

Validation of Half‐Reaction Amplification Using Promega PowerPlex® 16*

Abstract: DNA amplification is a fundamental yet costly process used in DNA analysis. This study evaluated half‐reaction amplification (12.5, 12, and 13 uL) using the Promega Powerplex^® 16 Kit with the hope of reducing sample analysis costs by half. A sensitivity study was completed, along with the testing of various blood stain samples including those with low (<0.40 ng) and high DNA concentrations (>3.0 ng), peak height imbalances, and allelic drop‐out. Also, 467 samples submitted to the MUFSC laboratory for testing were analyzed. Results indicate that half‐reaction amplification produced higher quality profiles than full‐reactions. Average peak heights increased by 85%, peak height imbalances improved, and drop‐out was eliminated in 75.8% of samples. Only eight of 467 case samples required re‐amplification, a success rate of 94% was observed, and the repeat rate decreased significantly. Finally, a DNA input of 0.25–1.0 ng is ideal for half‐reaction amplification.     

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.     

“十一五”期间江苏省面临的报复社会型风险及其对策

江苏省近几年及“十一五”期间面临投毒、爆炸、杀人、劫持等报复社会型风险。这些风险严重危及人民群众的生命财产安全,破坏社会稳定和地方经济的发展。应对这种风险的措施有:讲求社会公平,缩小贫富差距;多管齐下,健全社会支持网络;加强法制教育,培养公众的“侵犯焦虑”;“疏”、“堵”结合,控制报复社会型犯罪渠道;运用大众传媒,进行必要的信息控制和正确的舆论导向;加强防卫,保护重点人群和场所,管理好外来人口。     

中国与东盟关系:现状和前景

在 2 0 0 1年 ,世界上发生了 4件大事 ,它们是 :布什上台后 ,对美国的对外政策进行了一系列重大调整 ;“9·11”事件爆发 ,美国在全球范围内开展反对国际恐怖主义的斗争 ;中国正式加入世界贸易组织 ;中国与东盟领导人同意用10年左右的时间组建中国———东盟自由贸易区。这 4件大事正在或者将要对中国与东盟关系产生重大影响 ,而中国与东盟关系如何发展 ,向什么方向发展 ,也将对亚太地区乃至全球产生深刻的影响。     

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.