Detection of Gunshot Primer Residue on Bone in an Experimental Setting—An Unexpected Finding*

Abstract: Pork ribs with intact muscle tissue were used in an experimental attempt to identify bullet wipe on bone at distances from 1 to 6 feet with 0.45 caliber, full metal jacket ammunition. This resulted in the unexpected finding of primer‐derived gunshot residue (GSR) deep within the wound tract. Of significance is the fact that the GSR was deposited on the bone, under the periosteum, after the bullet passed through a Ziploc^® bag and c. 1 inch of muscle tissue. It is also important to note that the GSR persisted on the bone after the periosteum was forcibly removed. The presence of primer‐derived GSR on bone provides the potential to differentiate gunshot trauma from blunt trauma when the bone presents an atypical gunshot wound. In this study, the presence of gunshot primer residue at a distance of 6 feet demonstrates the potential for establishing maximum gun‐to‐target distance for remote shootings.     

The Development and Evaluation of Radiological Decontamination Procedures for Documents,Document Inks,and Latent Fingermarks on Porous Surfaces*†

Abstract: Criminal acts such as an attack utilizing a radiological dispersal device (RDD or dirty bomb), the manufacture of such a device, or the illicit trafficking of radioactive materials would warrant a criminal investigation. This could involve the collection, transportation, and analysis of radiologically contaminated trace evidence. But are law enforcement agencies and forensic scientists capable of dealing with this? This research investigates the decontamination efficacy of two decontamination techniques (chemical and physical) designed for the removal of radiological material from documents of forensic importance. The impact that these procedures have on the development of latent fingermarks and the forensic analysis of the inks on these documents is also studied. It was found that slight changes in the color and chemical composition of a variety of document inks and a destruction of fingermark ridges occurred after chemical decontamination. Physical decontamination had no impact on these parameters.     

对我国行政审批程序进行改革的思考

＂先具备条件,后审批＂是我国各级政府现行的行政审批程序。这种程序导致公民、法人或者其他组织可以先＂从事特定活动＂,后要求行政机关审批。改革开放以来出现的无序建设、产能过剩、行政审批腐败等问题,都与政府采用这种行政审批程序有关。多年来,我国用结构调整、淘汰落后产能和事后监督的办法来解决无序建设、产能过剩和审批腐败问题,成效不是很理想。原因就在于现行的行政审批程序,对公民、法人或者其他组织＂从事特定活动＂没有事先控制权,国家一边调控,一边新的过剩产能和不合理结构继续产生。如果改变现行的行政审批程序,按照审批事项建设的三个阶段（＂确定建设意向＂、＂设计和制定建设计划＂、＂完成设计和建设计划＂）,分别设立审批环节,申请人三次申请,行政机关三次审批,就可以避免上述种种弊端。     

非领导职务公务员考核量化管理模型构建及实现路径

目前,非领导职务公务员考核存在定性多、定量少,主观因素多、客观标准少等突出问题,缺乏一套科学、完整、民主参与、可操作性强的考核管理体系。因此,要解决考核的合理性与可行性之间的矛盾,就应当在科学理论指导下,运用先进的绩效考核方法,构建非领导职务公务员考核量化管理模型,积极探索切实可行的实现路径。     

进一步改革税务行政审批制度,防范税务执法风险

行政审批是我国税务机关实施税收管理的主要方式之一,也是产生税务执法风险的源头之一。作为行政审批制度的重要组成部分,税务行政审批制度的改革一直是摆在各级税务机关面前的一项重大而紧迫的课题。本文对税务行政审批制度中存在的问题进行了分析,并对进一步改革税务行政审批制度,防范税务执法风险提出了相关建议。     

腐败血液中乙醇的顶空气相色谱分析

目的分析血液腐败后产生的乙醇及其他物质并探讨腐败血液中乙醇的检测及计算方法。方法以正常人空白血液制作腐败血样,采用1,4-二氧六环为内标物,通过顶空气相色谱进行定性及定量分析。结果血中乙醇在0.0625～1mg/mL范围内线性关系良好（r^2=0.9996）,各质量浓度组的变异系数（CV%）〈2%,血中乙醇的最低检出限为1μg/mL（S/N≥3）。腐败血样所产生乙醇与正丙醇的比例大致为25：1。结论检验方法简便、准确。为法医毒化检验相关工作提供了依据。     

论担保物权独立性与物权行为无因性的关系

大陆法系各主要国家不同的立法说明了担保物权独立性与物权行为无因性并不存在必然的关联,并且两者各自所抽象的原因不同。在形式审查主义下,物权行为无因性为物权登记公信力提供了支撑,并与担保物权独立性协力为担保物权登记公信力提供了制度上的支持。     

X‐ray Powder Diffraction for Characterization of Raw Materials in Banknotes

We report about the X‐ray powder diffraction characterization of crystalline materials used to produce genuine and counterfeit banknotes, performed with a single‐crystal diffractometer that permits fast and nondestructive measurements in different 0.5‐mm sized areas; 20‐euro denomination genuine banknotes were analyzed, and results were compared with counterfeit banknotes. The analysis shows that the papers used to print real banknotes are composed, as expected, of cotton‐based cellulose and titanium dioxide as crystalline additive, but different polymorphs of TiO₂ for different emission countries are evidenced. The counterfeit banknotes are composed of cellulose based on wood pulp; moreover, an unexpected significant quantity of TiO₂ was found to be mixed with calcite, indicating that the paper employed by forgers is not simply a common low‐cost type. The crystalline index and intensity ratios between the peaks attributable to cellulose and fillers can provide additional information to trace back paper suppliers for forensic purposes.     

A Preliminary Study on Sources of Banding Artifacts for the Identification of Monochromatic Laser Printers,

The analysis of questioned documents printed with monochromatic toner has been a great challenge to document examiners. Banding artifacts, which are often perceived in the outputs of laser printers, could be a solution to the identification of printers. In this study, sources other than the gear transmission errors were discovered for some primary banding frequency components. By detecting the angular velocity variation of photosensitive drums and other rotating parts of the tested printers and comparing them with the banding signals extracted from the printouts, the authors located the sources of banding frequency components. It was shown that the sources of some primary and persistent banding signals, which were previously unknown, were traced to the periodic velocity variations of the motors or the timing belts. As inherent signatures, banding artifacts could be promising features for discriminating documents printed by individual laser printers.     

Wavelet Analysis of Resultant Velocity Belonging to Genuine and Forged Signatures

This study presents a wavelet analysis of resultant velocity features belonging to genuine and forged groups of signature sample. Signatures of individuals were initially classified based on visual human perceptions of their relative sizes, complexities, and legibilities of the genuine counterparts. Then, the resultant velocity was extracted and modeled through wavelet analysis from each sample. The wavelet signal was decomposed into several layers based on maximum overlap discrete wavelet transform (MODWT). Next, the zero crossing rate features were calculated from all the high wavelet sub‐bands. A total of seven hypotheses were then tested using a two‐way ANOVA testing methodology. Of these, four hypotheses were conducted to test for significance differences between distributions. In addition, three hypotheses were run to provide test for interaction between two factors of signature authentication versus perceived classification. The results demonstrated that both feature distributions belonging to genuine and forged groups of samples cannot be distinguished by themselves. Instead, they were significantly different under the influence of two other inherent factors, namely perceived size and legibility. Such new findings are useful information particularly in providing bases for forensic justifications in establishing the authenticity of handwritten signature specimens.