A New Method for the Characterization of the Degree of Fire Damage to Gypsum Wallboard for Use in Fire Investigations

A new method to characterize the degree of fire damage to gypsum wallboard is introduced, implemented, and tested to determine the efficacy of its application among novices. The method was evaluated by comparing degree of fire damage assessments of novices with and without the method. Thirty-nine “novice” raters assessed damage to a gypsum wallboard surface, completing 66 ratings, first without the method, and then again using the method. The inter-rater reliability was evaluated for ratings of damage without and with the method. For novice fire investigators rating degree of damage without the aid of the method, ICC(1,2) = 0.277 with 95% CI (0.211, 0.365), and with the method, ICC(2,1) = 0.593 with 95% CI (0.509, 0.684). Results indicate that the raters were more reliable in their analysis of the degree of fire damage when using the method, which support the use of standardized processes to decrease the variability in data collection and interpretation.     

Penetration Depth of Projectiles Fired from a Replica of Colt Navy of 1851 in 20% Gelatin Blocks Correlated with Fatal Injuries Assessed in an Autopsy of a 78‐Year‐Old Man

Pursuant to the Polish Weapons and Ammunitions Law, muzzle‐loading black powder weapons, manufactured before 1885, or their replicas, as well as suitable projectiles, can be possessed legally without registration and special licenses. The aim of the study was to assess the penetration depth of projectiles fired from a black powder weapon, replica of Colt Navy of 1851, in 20% gelatin blocks and to compare the obtained results with the actual injuries found on autopsy of a 78‐year‐old man who had committed suicide. In the experiments, we used the black powder weapon and ammunitions, as well as gelatin blocks serving as a soft tissue model. We ascertained that solid spherical projectiles fired from black powder weapons cause extensive injuries, especially in the initial segment of the wound canal. Additionally, based on the presence and location of the wad in the wound canal, the distance from which the shot was fired can be determined.     

Male Versus Female Substance Abuse Patterns Among Incarcerated Juvenile Offenders: Comparing Strain and Social Learning Variables

The present study explores gender differences in substance use among a juvenile correctional population. Hypotheses derived from general strain theory and differential association/social learning theory are evaluated in order to examine the relative importance of family transitions, family dysfunctions, victimization, and peer substance use. The data include information on approximately 5,000 incarcerated juveniles (89 percent males, 11 percent females). Comparisons across gender indicate similarity with respect to alcohol and marijuana, but earlier age of onset and greater current use among females for most other substances. Regression analyses reveal similarity across genders in the preeminence of peer substance use as a predictor, but mixed results with respect to the influence of family factors and victimization. Findings are consistent with the tenets of differential association/social learning theory on the whole, but also indicate potential differences in sources of strain for males and females with respect to age of onset of alcohol/marijuana use.     

粉末法在指纹显现中的运用

粉末法是现场上显现潜指纹最常用、最方便的方法,即用玻璃纤维刷或毛刷将各种粉末刷到指纹区域,其通过物理机械或静电作用与乳突纹线上的指纹残留物发生吸附,而没有指纹残留物的小犁沟以及指纹承载体则不会吸附上粉末.最终的结果就是粉末粘附到乳突纹线上,与未粘附粉末的小犁沟和承栽体形成反差,从而显出潜指纹.     

Magnetic Fingerprint Powder from a Mineral Indigenous to Thailand

Abstract: A study was conducted to investigate whether natural magnetite (Fe₃O₄), which is an abundant mineral in Thailand, could be used as a magnetic powder in the detection of latent fingerprints. Because of the presence of impurities, powdered magnetite is only weakly attracted by a magnet and cannot be used as a magnetic fingerprint powder by itself. Mixing a small amount of magnetite powder with nickel powder greatly enhances the magnetic attraction. A mixture of magnetite powder and nickel powder in a mass ratio of approximately 1:100 was found to be suitable for use as a magnetic fingerprint powder. Fingerprints developed using the magnetite/nickel mixture on nonporous surfaces were found to exhibit good adherence and clarity. Using an automated fingerprint identification system, the number of minutiae detected in fingerprints developed by using the prepared powder on nonporous surfaces was found to be comparable to those detected in fingerprints developed by using a commercial black magnetic powder. The cost is lowered by more than 60%.     

有关环境危险犯罪形态研究

随着人类社会经济的不断发展,人类面对的环境破坏和环境污染问题也变得越来越多样化。面对这样严重的生存环境问题,不能置之不理,应当积极去探索,积极去寻求解决问题的方法。所以,将目前我国法律中暂时没有规定的危害环境的危险犯罪形态规定到刑法中来,这是非常有必要的。有利于充分预防环境犯罪,使存在的环境问题防患于未然,达到保护环境的目的。     

运输毒品罪犯罪形态初探

运输毒品罪是我国刑法处罚较重的罪名之一 ,因为我国将运输毒品作为独立的罪名予以规定 ,这一规定 ,对切断毒品从生产到交易再到消费的联系起到了很大作用。但是 ,在实践中 ,司法部门对运输毒品罪的犯罪形态认识不统一 ,处罚存在多样性 ,严重影响了刑法公正统一适用 ,有必要对运输毒品罪的既遂、未遂和毒品的运输方式进行探讨进而统一认识。     

试论农村社区警务方式之转变

农村地区的自然地理特点和社会人文环境状况以及农村社区公安机关有限的警力资源实际决定了农村社区警务方式转变既有其客观性又有其必要性。农村社区警务方式转变的途径包括划分职能、完善制度、强化建设等。     

西方自由与权利的合法性来源与存在样态——从古典到现代的历史考察

西方自由与权利的合法性来源一般有两种：一种是外在于国家权力，国家权力只能认可而不能创制；一种是内在于国家权力，是由国家权力创制和授予的。西方自由与权利的存在样态一般也有两种，一种是身份、等级、特权式的自由与权利；一种是普及化的、为大多民众普遍拥有的基本自由与权利。西方很早就产生了合法性来源外在于国家的自由与权利的情况，但这种自由与权利多是一种身份、等级、特权式的自由和权利。近代英美两国自由与权利的现代化成功转型，源于将这种身份、等级、特权式的自由与权利向更广大的社会阶层普及和开放，使得这种自由与权利为社会更多民众所普遍共享，进而推动了保障这种基本自由与权利的宪政机制的发展；而近代法国自由与权利的现代化转型失败，源于没有将这种身份、等级、特权式的自由与权利向更广大的社会阶层普及和开放，自由与权利没有摆脱狭隘的特权性和身份性限制，没有为社会广大阶层所普遍共享，进而也就无法推动保障这种基本自由与权利的宪政机制的发展。     

毒品犯罪的行为模式

毒品犯罪中较为常见的三种犯罪行为模式——贩毒集团的运行情况、被利用贩毒的人骡和被排斥的业余贩毒者。因此,公安机关打击毒品犯罪的锋芒要始终对准境内外毒枭、贩毒集团和职业毒贩。