Age estimation by pulp/tooth ratio in canines by mesial and vestibular peri-apical X-rays

Changes in the size of the pulp canal, caused by apposition of secondary dentine, are the best morphometric parameters for estimating age by X-rays. The apposition of secondary dentine is the most frequently used method for age estimation in adult subjects. In two previous papers, we studied the application of the pulp/tooth area ratio by peri-apical X-rays as an indicator of age at death. The aim of the present study was to test the accuracy of age evaluation by combined analysis of labio-lingual and mesial peri-apical X-rays of lower and upper canines. A total of 200 such X-rays were assembled from 57 male and 43 female skeletons of Caucasian origin, aged between 20 and 79 years. For each skeleton, dental maturity was evaluated by measuring the pulp/tooth area ratio according to labio-lingual and mesial X-rays on upper (x(1), x(2)) and lower (x(3), x(4)) canines. Very good agreement was found between intra-observer measurements. Statistical analysis showed that all variables x(1), x(2), x(3), and x(4) and the first-order interaction between x(1) and x(3) contributed significantly to the fit, so that they were included in the regression model, yielding the following regression formula: Age = 120.737 - 337.112x(1) - 79.709x(2) - 364.534x(3) - 65.655x(4) + 1531.918x(1)x(3) . The residual standard error of estimated ages was 3.62 years, with 94 degrees of freedom, and the median of the residuals was -0.155 years, with an interquartile range of 4.96 years. The accuracy of the method was ME = 2.8 years, where ME is the mean prediction error. The model also explained 94% of total variance (R(2) = 0.94).     

Ossification Degrees of Cranial Sutures Determined with Flat‐Panel Computed Tomography: Narrowing the Age Estimate with Extrema

Abstract: Since Broca’s time (1824–1880), ossification of the neurocranial sutures has been used as a characteristic of age. Current approaches include the visual macroscopic examination of ecto and endocranial sutures. The evaluation of the cross‐section of sutures usually necessitates the destruction of the neurocranium. In a nondestructive alternative approach that was tested within the context of the “Digital Forensic Osteology” project that ran in cooperation with the Virtopsy^®‐Project, it emerged that the resolution of conventional multi‐slice computed tomography data sets was not high enough to image sutures. Thus for the experiments presented here, the eXplore Locus Ultra flat‐panel computed tomography scanner from GE Healthcare was used. Calottes were scanned during autopsy and then immediately returned to the corpse. So far, the skullcaps of 221 individuals have been scanned. The cross‐sections of 14 suture segments could be assessed for seven previously defined stages of ossification. In a converse step, the 14 highest and lowest age estimate values corresponding to the individual stages of suture closure found were estimated for each calotte. The obtained ranges narrowing down the age estimate were evaluated with statistics. A mean value of 43.31 years for the range of narrowed age estimates shows that this method can be a useful aid in estimating age. The results of intra‐ and inter‐observer tests showed good overall agreement between the findings of three observers. This method is suitable for a nondestructive age estimation and can be used for the entire calotte.     

Testing Discriminant Functions for Sex Determination from Deciduous Teeth*,†

Abstract: Three studies have proposed discriminant functions for sex determination from deciduous tooth crown dimensions, and this study tests the existing functions on a sample of 46 Portuguese immature skeletons of known sex, aged from birth to 10 years. Deciduous teeth were measured in their mesiodistal and faciolingual crown dimensions, and percentage of correct allocation accuracy in determining sex using each specific function was determined. Discriminant functions were also calculated from data collected for this study and tested using cross‐validation. Results show poor overall accuracy (33.3–75%) and poor cross‐validation (46.2–60.0%). This is related to low sexual dimorphism in deciduous tooth crown size, as well as differences in degree of sexual dimorphism and in overall tooth size between different samples. For these reasons, deciduous crown size does not seem to show significant forensic value as discriminator of sex, particularly when methods developed on one population are applied to individuals of another population.     

论高管“问题薪酬”的董事问责

如遇高管薪酬,董事就可能基于互惠和群体思维等情景以及单纯接触效应和框定效应下的生物本能,无意识地"董董相护",高管"寻租"如愿以偿,自应对董事问责。理性回路下的注意路径不能对情感回路下的"董董相护"对症下药,实际上放纵了高管"问题薪酬"。以诚信路径予以涵摄,则可以不枉不纵。是否构成"董董相护",需借助于高管薪酬的合理性进行推论。基于高管薪酬合理性边界的模糊性,拿捏高管薪酬的合理性,需以企业价值最大化为指针,借助高管薪酬的标准、水平和结构的合理性,厘定相应的参照系。     

氟乙酰胺代谢产物氟离子检测芯片的研究

目的研制含氟毒物的检测芯片,实现氟乙酰胺等含氟毒物的快速电化学检测。方法利用氟离子选择电极制备含氟毒物的检测芯片,对芯片各项性能进行测试;建立氟乙酰胺染毒动物模型,使用制备的氟离子芯片检测染毒致死大白兔体内氟离子浓度。结果血液添加标准检测氟离子其线性响应范围为1～10-6mol/L,相关系数为0.9994,平均斜率接近理论斜率,检测限为5×10-7mol/L。染毒组大耳白兔血中氟离子含量较对照组高5～6倍（P〈0.01）,肝、肾、脑组织中氟离子含量较对照组高2～4倍（P〈0.01）。结论此含氟毒物的检测芯片检测氟离子快速、简便、灵敏,可应用于氟乙酰胺等含氟毒物中毒案件的初筛。     

试论渎职犯罪中直接经济损失与间接经济损失的司法认定

渎职犯罪的多个罪名中直接经济损失、间接经济损失直接影响法律责任的认定,因此经济损失的认定成为检察机关反渎职侵权部门应用《立案标准》、查办案件过程中必须予以先期解决的问题。本文拟对实务中涉及的几个问题进行探讨、梳理,以期助益于工作。     

应用枕骨大孔面积判定性别的研究进展

性别是个体识别的主要生物学指标之一,是法医学鉴定不明骨骼残骸的重要初始步骤。枕骨大孔因其解剖学位置的隐匿性、形态学的稳定性、性别与种族的差异性成为法医学性别判定的研究热点,其中枕骨大孔面积是枕骨大孔区域中进行性别判定准确率较高的指标之一。本文以枕骨大孔面积为主要研究对象,就国外学者通过干颅骨样本、CT影像、CBCT影像测量枕骨大孔面积判定性别的方法进行总结,对国内应用枕骨大孔面积进行性别判定研究提供参考。     

Secular Trend in the Development of Permanent Teeth in a Population of Istria and the Littoral Region of Croatia

The study evaluated secular trends in dental development during a period of 30 years, correlation between dental and chronological age in Istria and the littoral region of Croatia. The sample consisted of 1000 panoramic radiographs of children, aged 6–16 years (mean 10.0 ± 1.8), taken in the period 1977–1979 (N = 500; 243 females) and 2007–2009 (N = 500; 299 females). Dental age was assessed according to Demirjian's method. Correlation between chronological and dental age was linear, positive, high, and statistically significant in both periods and genders, ranging from 0.73 to 0.86. Dental age was underestimated when compared to chronological age by 1 year on average, more 30 years ago (?1.35 ± 1.17) than today (?0.63 ± 1.09), less for girls (?0.80 ± 1.22) than boys (?1.21 ± 1.10). A statistically significant positive secular trend in acceleration of dental development was present of 0.72 years during the 30‐year period and was more significant in girls than boys (0.83‐ and 0.51‐year acceleration).     

扒窃型盗窃罪的司法认定研究

近年来扒窃案件发案率持续增加,且团伙作案、流窜作案、惯犯作案频发,严重危害了人民财产安全和社会秩序。自2011年5月1日起实施的《刑法修正案(八)》首次将扒窃写入刑法,从犯罪形态、停止形态、定罪量刑这三个角度出发对扒窃型盗窃罪进行司法认定研究,以此有效解决扒窃入刑后标准模糊、界限不明等争议。     

证据保全制度的功能及其扩大化

基于诉讼数量不断增长和现代型诉讼要求先收集证据、后提出事实主张的客观需要,为实现预防诉讼、促进诉讼、集中化审理和多元化解决纠纷之目标,两大法系各主要国家纷纷对证据保全及类似制度进行了改革,使证据保全制度除保全证据外,又具有了确定事实、开示证据和诉讼外解决纠纷的多种功能。为强化当事人举证责任,保障当事人证据收集权和证明权的实现,我国也必须扩大证据保全制度的机能,一方面增设确定事物状态和经对方当事人同意之证据保全类型,另一方面鼓励当事人在证据保全程序中就与纠纷解决相关的事项达成协议。