Accuracy of Identifying Juvenile/Adult Status from Third Molar Development using Prediction Probabilities Derived from Logistic Regression Analysis

The use of third molars in predicting juvenile/adult status (</≥ 18 years) has important legal ramifications. Third molar development was assessed using Köhler's grading on 268 orthopantomograms of Indian subjects. Logistic regression analysis was applied to determine allocation accuracy of juvenile/adult status and the level of probability that is “reliable” in predicting juvenile/adult status. Allocation accuracies ranged between 75.8% and 78.2% for the sexes combined, with minimal male‐female differences. Adults were categorized more accurately than juveniles, suggesting that Köhler's grading puts Indian juveniles at greater risk of unwarranted punishment. In both sexes, juvenile/adult status was “reliably” predicted when the probability was >80% using individual third molars (excepting the lower right third molar in males); combining upper and lower third molars on the left/right sides, “reliable” predictions were possible when the probability was >80% and >90% for females and males, respectively. Overall, “reliable” juvenile/adult status prediction was achieved in c. 36% of subjects.     

Shot Through the Heart—Firepower and Potential Lethality of Air Weapons

Although certain air weapons attain muzzle velocities comparable to some firearms, their successful use for committing suicide is rarely seen. Herein, we report a case of a young female died shortly after urgent admission to the hospital with penetrating gunshot wound to the chest. The autopsy revealed perforation of the pericardium and two perforative defects to the right heart ventricle. Injury was inflicted by a 0.177 caliber pellet, fired from an air rifle found near her body. Investigation ruled the death as suicide. The used air rifle fired the pellet with the energy density of 1.9 J/mm², substantially above the threshold for inflicting injury. The pellet penetrated through two layers of cotton fabric and several layers of tissue to inflict fatal injury to the heart. In addition, we provide an insight into the wounding potential of air weapons, which illustrates the need for greater caution in handling those devices.     

Comparison of Age Estimation in Japanese and Scandinavian Teeth Using Amino Acid Racemization*

Abstract: Racemization method is currently considered to be one of the most accurate methods for age estimation. There are many factors that affect racemization reaction velocities. We investigated ethnic differences in the racemization reaction velocities between Japanese and Scandinavian teeth. After a heating experiment, the Arrhenius equation was used to obtain a rate constant (k). Both groups presented almost identical velocities, indicating that there was no difference in the tooth racemization reaction between the two groups. However, because 14 of the 18 Scandinavian teeth had multiple roots, it is possible that accurate racemization rates of the teeth themselves were not reflected in the results. These findings reconfirm that the type of tooth selected is extremely important when evaluating age by racemization.     

Age Estimation in Indians Using Demirjian’s 8‐teeth Method

Abstract: Demirjian’s grading of tooth calcification is widely used to assess age of individuals with developing dentitions. However, its application on numerous populations has resulted in wide variations in age estimates and consequent suggestions for the method’s adaptation to the local sample. Conventionally, Demirjian’s method utilized seven mandibular teeth on the left side. A recent modification incorporated the third molar with a view to apply the method on a wider age‐group. Moreover, the revised method developed regression formulas for assessing age. This paper tested the 8‐teeth method using 547 Indians (348 females, 199 males) aged 7–25 years. Demirjian’s formulas resulted in inferior age prediction in Indians (9.2% misclassification at 99% confidence interval vs. 0% misclassification in the original study); therefore, India‐specific regression formulas were developed, which gave better age estimates (mean absolute error, MAE = 0.87 years) than the original formulas (MAE = 1.29 years). This suggests that Demirjian’s 8‐teeth method also needs adaptation prior to use in diverse populations.     

Estimation of Gestational Age from Tooth Germs: Biometric Study of DentaScan Images

Abstract: The few available studies on fetal age estimation concern very small samples, and statistical analysis is sometimes inadequate. In this survey, we used germs of deciduous teeth to estimate fetal age. Forty‐nine fetuses and 40 mandibles were scanned, and observations and measurements were made on DentaScan images. After checking their repeatability and reproducibility (analysis of variance), we defined thresholds using Fisher’s linear discriminant analysis to calculate the probability that a fetus was over or below a predefined age threshold. The forensic threshold which is of particular interest in France is 22 weeks amenorrhea. Relationships between fetal age and deciduous germ measurements were then sought by multiple linear regression. The thresholds gave very good results: 91.84% of good probability for the threshold of 22 weeks amenorrhea with no chance of error. The most precise age evaluation obtained nevertheless gave a range of ±4.6 weeks amenorrhea, so greater accuracy is still needed.     

法治信念的危机与法治论者的姿态——法治进入方法论时代的背景考察

中国的法治建设,在起步阶段就遇到一系列理论冲突与现实矛盾,这属于法治进程中正常现象。面对冲突的理论和复杂的社会现实,法律人对法治的信念不能丢失。信念的丢失而引发法治的危机说法多少有点危言耸听,但是,从面死而生的角度看,这会使人们更加理性和正确地看待法治的进程。也许只有在法治论者的苦苦挣扎中,我们才能够深入理解法治的真谛。坚守法治信念是法律人的基本意识形态,是法治理论和法治建设中不可缺少的精神支柱。     

Marriage and power: Age at first marriage and spousal age gap in lesser developed countries

This paper examines age at first marriage for women and spousal age gap as an indicator for female agency from 1950 to 2005. Using a dataset of 77 LDCs this paper seeks to explore which variables determine differences at a country level in marriage patterns. We look at the influence of urbanisation, education, percentage population of Muslim faith, and family type. We find that education is a key in determining at what age women marry, having as would be expected a positive effect on age at first marriage and depressing spousal age gap. Urbanisation is significant, with a positive effect on age and negative on spousal age gap, although the effect is not very large. The percentage Muslim variable depresses female age at first marriage and increases spousal age gap but only when family type is not controlled for. The initially strong negative effect of percentage population Muslim over the period under consideration on age of first marriage has decreased, which raises some interesting questions about the role of Islam in female empowerment.     

小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中α7nAChR表达与损伤时间关系

目的检测皮肤切创愈合过程中α7nAChR的表达及其时间规律性变化。方法建立小鼠皮肤切创模型,应用免疫组织化学技术及Western blot方法检测切创后不同时间段皮肤中α7nAChR的表达。结果免疫组织化学结果显示,对照组α7nAChR表达于表皮、毛囊、皮脂腺、血管内皮及真皮中少数的成纤维细胞;伤后6～12h切创皮肤损伤区及周边区可见少量多核粒细胞和单核细胞表达α7nAChR,1～3d以单核细胞阳性表达为主,5～14d以成纤维细胞为主。α7nAChR阳性细胞率于伤后1d开始升高,伤后7d达最高峰,随后逐渐下降。经Western blot检测显示,对照组及各实验组均有α7nAChR阳性条带,其中伤后7d为α7nAChR表达高峰。结论α7nAChR在小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中呈现一定的时序性变化。     

小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中Ⅱ型大麻素受体的表达

目的观察皮肤切创愈合过程中CB2R表达变化的时问规律性。方法 健康小鼠50只,随机分为10组,建立皮肤切创模型,应用免疫组织化学技术及Westernbloting方法检测切创后不同时间段小鼠背部正中皮肤CB2R的表达。结果免疫组织化学结果显示,对照组CB2R表达于表皮、毛囊、皮脂腺、皮肌层、血管平滑肌、神经纤维外膜及神经纤维束束膜;伤后6h损伤区及周边区多核粒细胞少量表达CB2R,12～24h以单个核细胞阳性表达为主,3d以单个核细胞和梭形成纤维细胞表达为主,5～14d以梭形成纤维细胞为主。CB2R阳性细胞率于0h～3d逐渐升高,5d达最高峰,随后逐渐下降。经Westernblotting检测显示,对照及各个损伤时间段都有CB2R阳性条带,其中5d为CB2R表达高峰。结论小鼠皮肤切创愈合过程中,CB2R于损伤区及周边区多核粒细胞、单个核细胞、梭形成纤维细胞中表达,并具有规律性,提示CB2R可能参与皮肤损伤愈合,并可用于皮肤损伤时间的推断。     

RNA分析技术在法医学中的应用

RNA是近年来分子生物学技术领域的研究热点之一,随着分子生物学技术的发展与成熟,RNA技术逐渐在法医学领域得到应用,用来处理传统的DNA分析方法难以解决的法医学问题,如推断死亡时间（PMI）,检测伤口形成时间以及体液鉴定等。本文综述介绍目前RNA分析技术在法医学中的国际发展趋势以及目前存在的局限性,为今后该技术在法医学领域的更广泛应用奠定基础。