Technology and torts: Memory costs, nondurable precautions and interference effects

This article examines the influence of nondurable precaution technologies on the expansion of tort awards. We provide four contributions to the literature. First, we present a general, formal model on durable and non-durable precaution technology that focuses on memory costs. Second, because liability exposure creates interference, we argue that tort law perpetuates the expansion of awards. Third, because plaintiffs do not consider the social costs of interference effects, private litigation induces socially excessive suits. Fourth, while new harm-reducing technologies likely increase accident rates, such technologies also raise the ratio of trial costs to harm, leaving undetermined the overall effect of new technologies on the rate of litigation.     

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.     

Identification of synthetic cannabinoids in herbal incense blends in the United States

Abstract: Synthetic cannabinoid agonists are chemically diverse with multiple analogs gaining popularity as drugs of abuse. We report on the use of thin layer chromatography, gas chromatography mass spectrometry, high‐performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry for the identification and quantitation of these pharmacologically active chemicals in street drug dosage forms. Using these approaches, we have identified the synthetic cannabinoids JWH‐018, JWH‐019, JWH‐073, JWH‐081, JWH‐200, JWH‐210, JWH‐250, CP47,497 (C=8) (cannabicyclohexanol), RCS‐4, RCS‐8, AM‐2201, and AM‐694 in various commercially available products. Other noncannabinoid drugs including mitragynine have also been detected. Typical concentrations of drug in the materials are in the range 5–20 mg/g, or 0.5–2% by weight for each compound, although many products contained more than one drug.     

K9s killed in the line of duty

While police work comes with a slew of dangers, little research has focused on deaths of police dogs in the line of duty. The purpose of this paper is to begin a conversation about violence toward police dogs and the treatment of animals working with the police.

To do so, a database of 96 police dogs that died in the line of duty in the United States between 2011 and 2015 was compiled, drawn from the Officer Down Memorial Page. More police dog deaths were reported in 2014 and 2015, during summer months, with half clustering in the Southern US. The victim police dogs were mostly younger and recently employed by the policing agency. The most frequent cause of death was heat exhaustion, followed by gunfire and automobiles. Most offenders were apprehended by police or shot.

Policymakers and researchers should encourage systematic data collection for a better understanding of the extent of the issue.     

Socially optimal liability rules for firms with natural monopoly in contestable markets

This article considers the problem of socially efficient liability rules for firms in contestable markets where natural monopoly prevails due to decreasing average cost. If the fixed cost that pushes the entry-limiting price above marginal cost is large relative to the level of external harm of firms, the negligence regime is socially superior to the strict liability regime. In the opposite case, the strict liability rule may be socially superior.     

Ortsnamenregelungen aus völkerrechtlicher und aus europarechtlicher Sicht – unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Kärntner Ortstafelfrage

Ortsnamenfragen haben sich in vielen Staaten als politisch ?u?erst brisant erwiesen. Zur L?sung dieser Fragen stehen nunmehr einschl?gige v?lkerrechtliche und europarechtliche Standards zur Verfügung. Oft werden diese aber auch ignoriert und fehlinterpretiert. Ziel dieses Beitrages ist es, die Reichweite und Leistungsf?higkeit dieser Standards zu untersuchen. Es wird gezeigt, dass die Vertragspraxis in Bezug auf die Europ?ische Rahmenkonvention zum Schutz nationaler Minderheiten zu einer extensiven Auslegung der an und für sich sehr vorsichtig formulierten Ortsnamenbestimmungen in dieser Konvention geführt hat. In ?sterreich hat die – wenn auch dogmatisch umstrittene – Rechtsprechung des Verfassungsgerichtshofs in dieser Frage weitere minderheitenfreundliche Ma?st?be gesetzt. Wird die K?rntner Minderheitenproblematik in diesem Sinne gel?st, so würde dies ?sterreichs traditionell sehr gute Reputation im Minderheitenrecht weiter st?rken.     

Modeling Forensic DNA Database Performance*

Abstract: Over the past decade or more, DNA databases have been a focal point of development for the forensic field. Using this approach, forensic and law enforcement agencies have aided millions of investigations, many of which would remain unsolved but for the intelligence links provided from DNA database comparison. However, despite their widespread use and increasingly broad legislative and operational reach, there has been limited overarching performance modeling or reflection on drivers of operational or financial efficiency. This study derives an inferential model for DNA database performance using data from major national DNA database programs. Parameters that optimize desirable database outputs (matches) are isolated and discussed, as is an approach for maximizing financial efficiency and minimizing ethical impact. This research takes important steps toward identifying measures of performance for forensic DNA database operations.