Comparison of Different Analytical Methods for the Determination of Carbon Monoxide in Postmortem Blood

The determination of carbon monoxide (CO) and carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) is of utmost importance in forensic toxicology to determine the cause of death in cases of CO poisoning, fire, and explosions. To this end, reliable and updated analytical methods are required. In this paper, four different methods for the determination of carbon monoxide in postmortem blood samples were compared: (i) the spectrophotometric determination of COHb applying the method proposed by Rodkey and modified by Beutler–West, (ii) the spectrophotometric determination of CO using a micro-diffusion-based method, (iii) the determination of CO by gas chromatography coupled to a TCD detector, and (iv) the determination of COHb by blood gas analysis. Three postmortem blood samples were analyzed with all methods, and the results were comparable. The applied methodologies showed different features depending on the sensitivity, sample preparation, and volume. The HS-GC/TCD method in our hand was the most appropriate, on postmortem samples, and versatile to apply. Unfortunately, only a limited number of postmortem blood samples were available for this study due to the rarity of that kind of intoxication in our jurisdiction.     

Geomatic techniques in forensic science: A review

The purpose of this review paper is to highlight various geomatic techniques that crime scene reconstructionists or forensic practitioners can use to document different kinds of scenes, highlighting the advantages, disadvantages, and when best to use each technology. This paper explores geomatic techniques such as a total station, photogrammetry, laser scanners and structured light scanners and how they can be used to reconstruct crime scenes. The goal of this paper is not to discredit manual methods, as they are long standing and reliable, but instead to shed light on alternative methods that may produce equally or more accurate results with a more visually appealing final product. It is important for law enforcement and forensic professionals to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, knowing when certain techniques should be used (and when they should not), and being able to revert to traditional methods if required.     

苏轼“随物赋形”说新论

"随物赋形",指的是苏轼诗文表意自然顺畅而又灵活多变的特点.其形成表面上看是苏轼在创作过程中所采用的表现手法使然,但归根到底则与其观照世界和立意取境的独特方式有着密不可分的关系.在佛教的"现量"观和禅宗"随缘自适"、"任心"等思想的影响下,苏轼要求创作主体在观照外物的时候拥有"空且静"的内心,且不主动向外界搜求,而是即景会心,所见、所闻、所感、所悟即为诗料.苏轼对水"随物赋形"这一特征的认识并不限于文学领域,它体现在其为人处世的原则上则是以道家思想为主导、兼容儒家思想的人生观.     

PICKING CHERRIES WITH BLINDERS ON: A COMMENT ON ERICKSON ET AL. (2007) REGARDING THE USE OF TESTS IN FAMILY COURT*

Erickson, Lilienfeld, and Vitacco's (2007/this issue ) review of the suitability and limitations of psychological tests invites legal and mental health professionals to rely on it as an objective guide for selecting, using, and admitting psychological tests in family court matters. Unfortunately, their discussion is marred by a pronounced bias in favor of multiscale, objective personality inventories and against performance‐based or projective instruments. This bias is evident not only in their unbalanced emphasis on the strengths of the former and weaknesses of the latter, but also in their use of selective citations and loaded language in launching what amounts to a polemical argument in support of tests that they favor. Their discussion of the Rorschach inkblot test is particularly misleading. This article refutes their unwarranted criticisms of the theoretical underpinnings of the Rorschach test, its research base, its norms, its interscorer reliability, the validity of its scores, and its admissibility in the courtroom. The value of multimethod assessments that include the use of direct clinical observation of performance under standardized conditions in custody evaluations is highlighted.     

论刑事照相中的取景构图

摄影构图是照片表现力的关键,要拍摄制作出一张符合要求的刑事照片,除技术上的高标准以外,在很大程度上还有赖于正确地运用摄影构图。在实际工作中,刑事照相中的摄影构图已引起了一定的重视,但还存在一些问题,笔者从刑事照相的特点、刑事照相的取景构图处理及技巧等几个方面作一些讨论。     

利用网络言语特征刻画犯罪嫌疑人基本方法研究

随着网络语言广泛普及使用,犯罪言语呈现出网络言语独有特点。本文研究犯罪中的网络言语现象,揭示其个性化、形象化、口语化、符号化等特征,从语言学及鉴定学层面分析网络言语识别的可行性,并总结利用网络言语特征刻画犯罪嫌疑人性别、年龄、职业、民族、文化程度、心理的技术方法。     

The Scope for Joint Implementation in the EU Candidate Countries

Central and Eastern European Candidate countries are involved in negotiations with the EU on the implementation of the Acquis Communautaire in their domestic law. These countries are also preparing themselves for international co-operation in the framework of the Kyoto Protocol. Through this co-operation the Candidate countries will most likely transfer GHG emission reduction credits to other industrialised countries listed in Annex B of the Protocol. This can take place through JI project co-operation and/or International Emissions Trading. This paper argues that the Acquis environmental requirements will in general lead to GHG emission reduction in the Candidate countries, which will reduce the scope for JI in these countries. The extent to which the JI scope will be reduced depends, among others, on the timing of entering the EU and the transitional arrangements between the EU and the Candidates.     

The Influence of New Technologies on the Visual Attention of CSIs Performing a Crime Scene Investigation

Currently, a series of promising new tools are under development that will enable crime scene investigators (CSIs) to analyze traces in situ during the crime scene investigation or enable them to detect blood and provide information on the age of blood. An experiment is conducted with thirty CSIs investigating a violent robbery at a mock crime scene to study the influence of such technologies on the perception and interpretation of traces during the first phase of the investigation. Results show that in their search for traces, CSIs are not directed by the availability of technologies, which is a reassuring finding. Qualitative findings suggest that CSIs are generally more focused on analyzing perpetrator traces than on reconstructing the event. A focus on perpetrator traces might become a risk when other crime‐related traces are overlooked, and when analyzed traces are in fact not crime‐related and in consequence lead to the identification of innocent suspects.     

控制下交付国际准则研究

《联合国禁止非法贩运麻醉药品和精神药物公约》《联合国打击跨国有组织犯罪公约》与《联合国反腐败公约》对控制下交付国际准则作了明确的规定,具体包括适当使用原则、逐案判断原则、安全原则、同意原则、国家主权原则等五项基本准则,并在区域性国际公约、国际协议和国内法中得到广泛体认和贯彻。基于"条约必须信守"的原则,我国也必须体现和遵循控制下交付国际准则,然而由于国际公约对控制下交付国际准则并没有作出详细规定,所以我国在通过制定国内法严格遵守、履行控制下交付国际准则的同时,还必须对如何贯彻控制下交付国际准则做进一步的精细化制度设计。