What do forensic analysts consider relevant to their decision making?

In response to research demonstrating that irrelevant contextual information can bias forensic science analyses, authorities have increasingly urged laboratories to limit analysts' access to irrelevant and potentially biasing information (Dror and Cole (2010) [3]; National Academy of Sciences (2009) [18]; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2016) [22]; UK Forensic Science Regulator (2015) [26]). However, a great challenge in implementing this reform is determining which information is task-relevant and which is task-irrelevant. In the current study, we surveyed 183 forensic analysts to examine what they consider relevant versus irrelevant in their forensic analyses. Results revealed that analysts generally do not regard information regarding the suspect or victim as essential to their analytic tasks. However, there was significant variability among analysts within and between disciplines. Findings suggest that forensic science disciplines need to agree on what they regard as task-relevant before context management procedures can be properly implemented. The lack of consensus about what is relevant information not only leaves room for biasing information, but also reveals foundational gaps in what analysts consider crucial in forensic decision making.     

Plural strategies of accessing land among peri-urban squatters

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses strategies utilized by migrants/squatters in accessing land for settlement and livelihoods in places where the state and the indigenes are not sympathetic to their needs. Although of significant policy and theoretical significance, this area has not received attention from scholarship, its dominant focus being on understanding the diverse origins, destinations, drivers and processes of migration. In addressing this issue, the study uses the case of Malawian migrants located in Zimbabwe’s peri-urban area of Norton. The finding of the paper is that there are as many strategies for acquiring land as they are migrants. The identified strategies (inheritance, seizures, and purchase) are contingent based – varying according to the access of the parties involved in the transactions.     

贷款诈骗罪构成要件疑难问题研究

贷款诈骗罪构成要件的疑难问题集中地体现于二点:单位骗贷问题与非法占有目的。在疏理了对单位骗贷问题的无罪论、等同论和变通论等观点之后,重点阐释了变通论的不足与等同论的合理根据。对非法占有目的问题,应在应然上坚持客观主义立场的不要说,同时应注意认定此目的时的复杂情形。同时,对本罪客观方面的疑难之处,本文也予以简要分析。     

中国共产党的利益代表性和社会利益关系调节

中国共产党要调节好各种社会利益关系,必须以各种群体利益的共同发展为出发点,制定方针政策,着重调节经济利益,疏通利益表达渠道,扩大执政的群众基础。     

论新课程观下的数学教师素质

教师素质是直接影响课程实施的重要因素。因而对新课程观下数学教师应具备的政治素质、专业素质、创新意识、信息技术等方面进行较深入地探讨十分必要。     

信息语境下的侦查路径分析

社会分工条件下侦查主体面临着信息成本无限扩张与侦查能力相对有限之间的矛盾,社会变迁及科技发展为侦查主体加强对个体信息的渗透提供了无限可能,但这种可能性受到私权的严格限制。信息交易为侦查主体提供了一种新的低代价的信息获取渠道。     

论加强对高校大学生法律行为的教育

为实现高校培养新型人才的目标 ,高校对大学生进行法律行为教育势在必行。法律行为的可变性和社会性是法律行为教育理论依据的关键 ,应采取多种方式加强对高校大学生法律行为的教育。     

内地与澳门程序性违法法律后果之比较

内地与澳门虽然都建立了程序性违法的制裁制度,但价值理念、法律传统等诸多方面的不同导致了两地在有关刑事诉讼程序性违法法律后果的规定上存在较大差异。针对警察、检察官或法官的各种违反法定诉讼程序的行为,澳门刑事诉讼法规定了诉讼行为无效制度和非法证据排除规则,构成其较为完善的程序性裁判机制。相比而言,内地有关程序性违法法律后果的规定则存在不少问题。深入比较两地的程序性违法法律后果,研究其各自的运作机理和制度绩效,对于两地尤其是我国内地程序性违法制裁制度的改革与完善具有重要的借鉴意义。