Effects of histological staining on the analysis of human DNA from archived slides

Abstract: Archived slides of cell smears treated with histological stains for sperm detection are often the only source of DNA available when cold cases are reopened. There have been conflicting reports as to the negative effects of particular histological stains on DNA recovery and quality from human cells, making stain selection an important consideration for forensic laboratories. This study investigates the effect of several staining systems on DNA recovery from histological slide samples stored from 0 to 10 weeks. DNA profiles obtained after analysis of these samples with AmpFlSTR^® Identifiler? and increased cycle AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus? short tandem repeat (STR) profiling systems and the effects that these stains have on DNA quantity and quality over time are described. Results indicate that Christmas Tree and Hematoxylin and Eosin stains do not have significantly different effects on DNA quality after 10‐week storage of slides. This research will assist scientists to select staining systems that have minimal deleterious effects on the DNA recovered.     

同源激光雕刻橡塑印章印文的鉴别方法

目的找出同源激光雕刻橡塑印章印文之间的特征差异,建立检验鉴定此类印章印文的鉴别方法。方法制作14枚同源激光雕刻橡塑印章,借助文件仪、显微数字分析仪等仪器观察分析其盖印的印文样本。结果找出了各种细节特征差异。结论同源性激光雕刻橡塑印章因其规格性特征符合很好,检验鉴定要以细节特征比对为主。     

Variation in the Measurement of Cranial Volume and Surface Area Using 3D Laser Scanning Technology

Abstract: Three‐dimensional (3D) laser scanner models of human crania can be used for forensic facial reconstruction, and for obtaining craniometric data useful for estimating age, sex, and population affinity of unidentified human remains. However, the use of computer‐generated measurements in a casework setting requires the measurement precision to be known. Here, we assess the repeatability and precision of cranial volume and surface area measurements using 3D laser scanner models created by different operators using different protocols for collecting and processing data. We report intraobserver measurement errors of 0.2% and interobserver errors of 2% of the total area and volume values, suggesting that observer‐related errors do not pose major obstacles for sharing, combining, or comparing such measurements. Nevertheless, as no standardized procedure exists for area or volume measurements from 3D models, it is imperative to report the scanning and postscanning protocols employed when such measurements are conducted in a forensic setting.     

Study of Color Laser Printer and Photocopier Class Using a Pattern Location Measurement Method

A trace code pattern location measurement approach is proposed. It includes a method that can precisely extract the trace code pattern to identify the color laser printer or photocopier class. In this study, we collected 379 samples from 15 brands, including 129 models and 196 printers or photocopiers. The trace code pattern class is identified. Four class characteristics are used to identify the print source: (i) the relation between the pattern and print output direction; (ii) observation of the shape features from among the trace code pattern units; (iii) the feature arrangement from among the trace code pattern units; and (iv) the arrangement relation of the trace code pattern. Blind testing shows that the accuracy of the proposed method is approximately 96.9% for the Questioned Document Examiners, and 84.3% in the non‐Questioned Document Examiners. It is thus an effective technique for determining a print's color laser printer or photocopier source class.     

Estimating Biological Characteristics With Virtual Laser Data

Laser scanning technology is increasingly being used in forensic anthropological research to obtain virtual data for archival purposes and post hoc measurement collection. This research compared the measurement accuracy of two laser scanners—the FARO Focus^3D 330X and the FARO Freestyle^3D—against traditionally obtained (i.e., by hand) control data (N = 454). Skeletal data were collected to address a novel question: the ability of laser scanning technology to produce measurements useful for biological characteristic estimation, such as sex and stature. Results indicate that both devices produced measurements very similar to control (c. 3‐mm average absolute error), but also illuminate a tendency to under‐measure. Despite these findings, the virtual data produced sex and stature estimates that varied little from control‐produced estimates, signifying the usefulness of virtual data for preliminary biological identification when the skeletal elements are no longer available for physical analysis.     

Intersectional Disadvantage: Exploring Differences Between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal Parents with Intellectual Disability in the New South Wales Child Protection System

Background: Parents with intellectual disability and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents are overrepresented in child removal but research has not explored the intersection of Aboriginality and intellectual disability in child protection.

Methods: A case file review of 45 parents with intellectual disability (n = 14 Aboriginal and n = 31 non-Aboriginal) engaged in care proceedings in New South Wales was undertaken. Parent and child demographics and investigation triggers and outcomes were compared.

Results: Aboriginal parents were significantly younger than non-Aboriginal parents at initiation of an investigation, twice as likely to be investigated due to concerns about parenting capacity, and more likely to have children removed than non-Aboriginal parents.

Conclusion: The intersection of Aboriginality and intellectual disability appears to increase the risk of negative encounters with child protection systems. Targeted support for young Aboriginal parents and greater disability awareness and cultural sensitivity by child welfare workers are needed.     

唐代的贬官制度及其行政处罚作用

唐代对官吏的惩治措施虽然以刑罚为主,但这并不意味着统治者对官吏的违法行为一律采用刑罚予以处置。事实上,唐代还有不少惩治官吏的行政处罚措施。贬官就是最常用的办法之一。     

由拆迁引发的群体性事件的原因及防范机制

目前,由拆迁导致的群体性事件有增无减,其原因主要有《城市房屋拆迁管理条例》缺乏公正性、合理性,不能维护被拆迁人的利益;政府行为中存在不规范、违法现象;城市房屋拆迁补偿标准不合理,没有推向市场等。解决这些问题需要建立初层次和深层防范机制。     

Inter-observer error for area of origin analysis using FARO Zone 3D

In a bloodletting incident, the area of origin (AO) of an impact bloodstain pattern is crucial when establishing the sequence of events. The use of laser scanners and other three-dimensional (3D) technologies to document and analyse bloodstains have been the subject of previous papers, especially where AO analysis is concerned. FARO Zone 3D (FZ3D) is a relatively new software programme that can be used for bloodstain AO analysis. FZ3D requires a greater understanding of inter-observer errors associated with AO. This study looked at the inter-observer variation between 21 examiners when repeatedly calculating the AO six times for a single impact pattern on a plain white wall. An impact rig which consisted of a spring tension arm was positioned and fixed 45 cm from the X wall (right wall), and 45 cm from the Y wall (left wall). This experimental design resembles an impact blow for a bloodletting event. The AO was unknown to all examiners, making it a blind study. The collected results were documented in a Microsoft Excel datasheet and later analysed. From previous literature, a 30 cm acceptable allowance was utilised for AO analysis; however, there is currently no accepted standard error for this type of analysis. The overall total 3D mean error for all examiners was 5.62 cm. The maximum error for any one impact analysis was 24.27 cm. The variation of the data, which was collected by all examiners, was documented as X = 1.14 cm, Y = 1.24 cm, Z = 1.68 cm, and the total 3D error = 2.28 cm. The total 3D error for any one examiner and the variance between examiners did not exceed the 30 cm acceptable allowance utilised in previous literature.     

排除危害类公益诉讼理论、制度和实践

我国环境法学界大多从环境民事责任形式角度论述排除危害。然而,由于环境危害有公益危害和私益危害之区别,制度上理应有排除危害类公益诉讼与排除侵害类私益诉讼之划分。排除危害类公益诉讼的理论基础在于良好环境权的公法保护理念与法院司法审查角色拓展和职能限制理论。决策者应以上述理论为基础,综合考量我国现实状况,将排除危害类公益诉讼制度适用范围从环境污染类危害扩展到生态破坏类危害领域,并设计正当的诉讼程序和合理的裁判方法。