Digital analysis of experimental human bitemarks: application of two new methods

Bitemark determination in forensic odontology is commonly performed by comparing the morphology of the dentition of the suspect with life-sized photographs of injury on the victim's skin using transparent overlays or computers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the suitability of two new different methods for identification of bitemarks by digital analysis. A sample of 50 volunteers was asked to make experimental bitemarks on the arms of each other. Stone study casts were prepared from upper and lower dental arches of each volunteer. The bitemarks and the study casts were photographed; the photos were entered into the computer and Adobe Photoshop software program was applied to analyze the results. Two methods (2D polyline and Painting) of identification were used. In the 2D polyline method, fixed points were chosen on the tips of the canines and a straight line was drawn between the two fixed points in the arch (intercanine line). Straight lines passing between the incisal edges of the incisors were drawn vertically on the intercanine line; the lines and angles created were calculated. In the painting method, identification was based on canine-to-canine distance, tooth width and the thickness, and rotational value of each tooth. The results showed that both methods were applicable. However, the 2D polyline method was more convenient to use and gave prompt computer-read results, whereas the painting method depended on the visual reading of the operator.     

“三个代表”重要思想与党的群众路线

"三个代表"重要思想的提出既是不断解放思想的过程,又是实现党的群众路线的过程。确立"三个代表"重要思想在全党指导地位的过程,也是坚持群众路线的过程。坚持科学性与群众性相统一,是理论创新的现实源泉。要以人民群众的实践作为检验"三个代表"重要思想是真理的客观尺度。"三个代表"重要思想的进一步丰富和发展,仍需倾听人民群众的呼声,尊重人民群众的实践,在新世纪社会主义现代化建设和执政党建设实践中不断完善和成熟起来。     

马克思主义理论的"继生性"发展轨迹

"与时俱进"是马克思主义理论的伟大品质.如果从历史的角度分析,"继生性"则应是马克思主义理论的另一伟大品质,是与时俱进理论的基础.历史发展的轨迹告诉我们,创新理论思想的析出是马克思主义理论的实践偏差不断得到修正的结果,一方面是马克思主义理论"与时俱进"的表现,另一方面则是继承与发展的成功举证.     

中国外交三十年:对进步与不足的若干思考

本文是对改革开放以来中国外交进步与转型的一种评估。作者认为,在过去的三十年,中国外交正在形成静悄悄的革命,其演进方向与全球进步的潮流是一致的,即:更加慎重的军事力量的使用;更加看重市场和贸易的因素;更多介入国际组织和法律的制订与实施过程;更加注意外交学习和制度创新;也更加强调外交为民服务和以人为本的宗旨。同时,作者指出了需要改进和加强的一些地方,如:"和谐世界"理念的落实问题;对外部批评的某些态度问题;应对复杂的主权纠纷时的不足问题;外交服务对象多重性的平衡问题;相对美国而言外交应对机制的单薄问题;资源的有限性与涉外安全需求之间日益扩大的矛盾现象;以及外交公信力研讨上的不足;等等。作者在看好中国外交转型的前景的同时,指出了这种转型的任重道远。     

掀起伪造印章的面纱来

近几年来,随着计算机技术、照排技术及打印与印刷技术的普及与提高,利用伪造印章进行违法犯罪的现象日益突出,而且手法不断翻新,伪造痕迹愈加隐蔽。通过分析伪造手法中存在的共同特征及常见印章伪造所形成的特征,为掀起伪造印章的面纱提供途径与方法,实现司法公正。     

Calculating Point of Origin of Blood Spatter Using Laser Scanning Technology

The point of origin of an impact pattern is important in establishing the chain of events in a bloodletting incident. In this study, the accuracy and reproducibility of the point of origin estimation using the FARO Scene software with the FARO Focus^3D laser scanner was determined. Five impact patterns were created for each of three combinations of distances from the floor (z) and the front wall (x). Fifteen spatters were created using a custom impact rig, scanned using the laser scanner, photographed using a DSLR camera, and processed using the Scene software. Overall results gave a SD = 3.49 cm (p < 0.0001) in the x‐direction, SD = 1.14 cm (p = 0.9291) in the y‐direction, and SD = 9.08 cm (p < 0.0115) in the z‐direction. The technique performs within literature ranges of accepted accuracy and reproducibility and is comparable to results reported for other virtual stringing software.     

Surface Curvature of Pelvic Joints from Three Laser Scanners: Separating Anatomy from Measurement Error

Recent studies have reported that quantifying symphyseal and auricular surface curvature changes on 3D models acquired by laser scanners has a potential for age estimation. However, no tests have been carried out to evaluate the repeatability of the results between different laser scanners. 3D models of the two pelvic joints were generated using three laser scanners (Custom, Faro, and Minolta). The surface curvature, the surface area, and the distance between co‐registered meshes were investigated. Close results were found for surface areas (differences between 0.3% and 2.4%) and for distance deviations (average <20 μm, SD <200 μm). The curvature values were found to be systematically biased between different laser scanners, but still showing similar trends with increasing phases/scores. Applying a smoothing factor to the 3D models, it was possible to separate anatomy from the measurement error of each instrument, so that similar curvature values could be obtained (p < 0.05) independent of the specific laser scanner.     

Squaring the Virtuous Circle: Exploring the Potential of the ‘Five Cs’

During his May 2014 visit to Australia Pascal Lamy, former Director General of the World Trade Organization, urged ‘public institutions, civil society, and global businesses’ to forge ‘creative coalitions’ for the purpose of engaging constructively and positively with the complex problems standing in the way of achieving social and economic sustainability. Lamy's visit was but the first of several occasions during 2014 in which intense public discussion erupted about the need for government, business, and civil society to pool their capacities in boundary‐spanning efforts to address complex policy problems. This article investigates whether the public discussion portends a heightened policy focus on the ‘five Cs’: co‐production, co‐design, corporate social responsibility, collective impact, and Lamy's creative coalitions.     

Determination of the sequence of intersecting lines using Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscope

The aim of this study was to verify that the combination of focused ion beam (FIB) and scanning electron microscope/energy‐dispersive X‐ray (SEM/EDX) could be applied to determine the sequence of line crossings. The samples were transferred into FIB/SEM for FIB milling and an imaging operation. EDX was able to explore the chemical components and the corresponding elemental distribution in the intersection. The technique was successful in determining the sequence of heterogeneous line intersections produced using gel pens and red sealing ink with highest success rate (100% correctness). These observations show that the FIB/SEM was the appropriate instrument for an overall examination of document.     

Identification of organic pigments in automotive coatings using laser desorption mass spectrometry

When one looks at an automotive coating, one sees color due to pigments. Modern organic pigments, with high molar absorptivities, may be only minor components of the mixture. Laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) has been shown to be a useful tool for the analysis of colorants such as pen ink dyes. Here, LDMS is used to determine its utility for the identification of pigments, in simple media and in more complex paints. Small paint chips can be introduced into the LDMS instrument, and when an ultraviolet laser is focused on a portion of a chip, ions representative of the pigment(s) are selectively formed. Some pigments such as quinacridones and copper phthalocyanine are very stable and are desorbed and ionized intact. In contrast, benzimidazolones, which contain some single-skeletal bonds, form fragment ions. This method proves to be sensitive and convenient, as no sample preparation is required. The presence of inorganic pigments in addition to modern organic pigments can be determined, and pigments can be directly identified in actual automotive paint chip samples.