Evaluation of usefulness of further Y-STR analysis in sexual assault cases on PSA positive samples resulting in female autosomal STR profiling

Samples from male to female sexual assault cases that are positive for the presumptive prostate specific antigen (PSA) test often do not result in a male autosomal STR profile. Due to highly unequal proportions of female and male DNA in typical sexual assault samples, routine autosomal STR analysis often fails to detect the DNA of the assailant, even after differential extraction of the samples. Previous studies have already shown the value of Y-STR analysis in such cases [1]. In Belgium, forensic DNA laboratories are only allowed to perform Y-STR profiling on sexual assault samples by a specific requisition, after routine autosomal STR analysis has been performed. However, a request for additional Y-STR analysis is rather exceptional.In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of further Y-STR analysis. For 100 PSA positive rinses and swabs from male to female sexual assault cases resulting in female autosomal STR profiling, 7% resulted in a full or partial Y-STR profile useful for comparison, using the 23-loci Y-STR PowerPlex Y23 System (Promega). The success rate raised to 12.5% with a higher DNA input in the PCR mix. In conclusion, these results support the usefulness of performing Y-STRs analysis on the sperm DNA extracts to identify the alleged assailant in sexual assault cases.     

A voice or a choice? Children’s views on participating in decisions about post-separation contact with domestically abusive fathers

ABSTRACT

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child explicitly calls for children to be granted the right to participate in legal proceedings that affect them. Despite this legal obligation and an evolving consensus that recognises children as social and competent actors, this rhetoric has struggled to achieve translation into meaningful practice reality, particularly when decisions are being made about contact arrangements for children where there has been a prior history of domestic violence. Drawing on the narratives of children who participated in three separate research projects in Ireland between 2009 and 2015, this paper will consider the manner in which they were involved in the decision-making process and the extent to which their views were ascertained and their voices heard. This paper concludes by raising the key question of how the child’s best interests can be served if the child’s views are not sought, heard or considered.     

Culture in transition: Awareness and appropriate response to domestic violence among Hmong American college students

This explanatory study examined Hmong college students’ experience, awareness, and appropriate response to domestic violence in the Hmong community, using a survey (n?=?231) at one of the largest Hmong-serving institutions in the United States. Findings indicated that 32.8% of Hmong college women had some violence from their romantic partners and two thirds of Hmong college men and women were aware of violence in the Hmong community. Those young generation Hmong reported that the most appropriate method to solve conflicts within the Hmong community is through the traditional clan system. These results can be used to begin formulating research-based cultural competence education for providers in the criminal justice system and facilitate discussions on youth perceptions.     

STR Genotyping from a Dry‐Cleaned Skirt in a Sexual Assault Case

In this sexual assault case, the standard preliminary semen examinations could not confirm physically or biochemically whether the accused's semen had stained the victim's skirt because the skirt had been dry‐cleaned for stain removal and had been worn for more than a year after the assault. Fortunately, however, a photograph taken just after the assault was found in the court records that showed white stains on the checkered skirt. The locations of the stains were estimated based on the checkered pattern of the fabric, and microscopic examination using Baecchi's staining revealed the presence of spermatozoa. Further analysis indicated the male DNA profile generated from the sperm cells was consistent with the suspect's DNA using three multiplex STR typing systems for a total of 21 autosomal and 17 Y chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). Ultimately, the result of the DNA profile played a very useful role as additional evidence.     

关于法学实践性教学的课堂内探索--以亲属法学为例

现行法学教育的教学方法在很大程度上存在着简单化、与实践脱节及教学手段单一的问题 ,以至学生学习机械、被动 ,严重影响学习兴趣 ,教学效果也不甚理想。作者尝试着将实践性教学方法引进亲属法学的课堂内 ,强调学生在学习中的主动性和互动性 ,鼓励讨论、质疑、带着问题学习的学习方式 ,启发学生思考问题的能力 ,培养和训练学生实际解决问题的能力 ,从而掌握本学科的基本理论和专业知识 ,具备运用所学知识认识和处理相关问题的技能。     

对强制猥亵妇女罪的思考

对刑法中的“强制猥亵妇女罪”概念及特征的认识学界可谓各持一端 ,尚无一个十分确定的看法。借鉴国际性学会在《香港性权宣言》中提出的新型性权利概念 ,来认识我国强制猥亵妇女罪的客体特征 ,并以此为切入点 ,科学界定其犯罪对象、客观方面、主观方面等特征 ,从而提出完善立法的建议。     

论WTO体系下农业补贴的特殊安排及未来展望

与WTO《补贴协定》及GATT1994相比,在总体规范方法、概念、规则结构、救济等方面,《农业协定》采取了一套独特的规制方式,但在WTO农业补贴争端中,《补贴协定》、GATT1994与《农业协定》常被共同适用于农业补贴。此举强化了对农业补贴的规制,但农业补贴是否,以及在多大程度上继续享有特殊地位和待遇,最终应由成员谈判确定。在未来一段时期内,特殊的农业补贴规则将继续存在,我国在参与WTO农业谈判、诉讼,调整国内农业政策时,应给予充分重视。     

人事诉讼判决效力的扩张与第三人程序保障

为保持身份关系的稳定,实现社会秩序的和谐,诸多国家都赋予了人事诉讼判决的对世效力,它是判决"相对效原则"的例外。通过检察官参与人事诉讼、限制适用辩论主义、实行职权探知等特别"法则"的施行,为人事诉讼判决既判力的扩张提供了依据。但从施行这些特别法则国家的司法实践来看,难以实现对案外第三人利益的保护。在固守人事诉讼判决"对世效力"为基本原则的同时,应另辟它路实现对法律地位受到影响的第三人的程序保障。     

国际法律秩序演变下国内法院的角色转换

国内法院在国际法律秩序中扮演了一种独特的角色。随着国际法从国家间的自助体制走向国际社会的规则体制的演变,国内法院成为了国内与国际法律秩序之间的“守门员”。国内法院阐明和适用国际法律规范,并通过司法审查职权监督其他国家机关遵守国际法;国家法律秩序的最新演变进一步使国内法院在一定意义上成了“国际的法院”,特别是,随着普遍管辖原则、国际人权法与国际司法体制的新发展,国内法院在某种程度上成了国际法律秩序的“代理机构”甚至“基层法院”。国内法院毕竟是国内机构,但它在国际法律秩序发展中的潜能值得关注。     

家务劳动的女权主义批判考察

家务劳动是人类社会的基本劳动方式之一.但在现代社会,这种劳动的无酬性使之日益被社会所轻视.同时,家务劳动承担上的社会性别失衡性使得女性的发展被进一步阻碍.20世纪以来,女权主义对家务劳动进行了深入的探讨与批判.对这些批判性理论的考察将有助于我们吸取其合理价值,促进我国的法制建设.