An Evaluation of Differentially Spliced Genes as Markers of Sex for Forensic Entomology,,

Blow flies (Calliphoridae) are important medically and economically and are commonly used in forensics as temporal markers in death investigations. While phenotypic traits in adult flies can be sexually dimorphic, sex identification in immatures is difficult. Consequently, little is known about how sex may result in developmental disparities among sexes even though there are indications that they may be important in some instances. Since genetic mechanisms for sex are well studied in model flies and species of agricultural and medical importance, we exploit the sex-specifically spliced genes transformer (tra) and doublesex (dsx) in the sex determination pathway to optimize a sex identification assay for immatures. Using known primer sets for tra and with a novel one for dsx, we develop PCR assays for identifying sex in four forensically relevant Calliphoridae species: Lucilia sericata (Meigen), Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius), and Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) and evaluated their performance. Band detection rates were found to range from 71 to 100%, call rates ranged from 90 to 100%, and no error was found when bands could be called. Such information is informative for purposes of testimony and in preparation for development studies. The developed assays will assist in further differentiating sexually dimorphic differences in development of the Calliphoridae and aid in more accurately estimating insect age when age predictive markers (size, development time, molecular expression) are sexually dimorphic.     

Evaluation of direct PCR for routine DNA profiling of non-decomposed deceased individuals

Forensic DNA profiling is a standard method used in the attempt to identify deceased individuals. In routine investigations, and if available, the preferred sample type is usually blood. However, this requires the invasive re-opening of the body, days or weeks after the autopsy, which is undesirable in resource-constrained mortuary settings. Motivated by the ease of sampling as well as reduced health and safety risks, this study aimed to establish the success rate of generating a full DNA profile on first attempt from buccal swab lysates using a direct PCR approach. Buccal swab samples were collected from 100 unidentified deceased males, and were subjected to direct DNA profiling with use of the Promega PowerPlex® Y23 Kit. At the time of sample collection, these individuals had been stored for between 1 and 887 days. This study shows that full DNA profiles were initially obtained from 73% of samples, which constitutes the first empirical data pertaining to first time success rates of direct PCR from post-mortem buccal lysates. Further investigation of partial and failed DNA profiles using real-time PCR showed that samples did not contain PCR inhibitors, DNA was not degraded, but DNA concentration was particularly low. Repeating DNA profiling with increased lysate input and extra PCR cycles yielded an additional six full DNA profiles, resulting in an overall success rate of 79%. Overall, DNA profile success rate was not associated with the duration of storage (p = 0.387). Lastly, massively parallel sequencing with the ForenSeq™ Signature DNA Prep kit provided more informative profiles for three additional samples. These results indicate that blood should therefore remain the sample of choice in a post-mortem setting, yet buccal lysates hold potential to be optimised further, which may ease the human identification workflow.     

A Review of Proposed Positive Dental Identifications from the World War II Era

In 1949, the American Graves Registration Service Pacific Zone proposed the identification of 27 sets of remains (skulls/crania/mandibles) based on comparisons with written dental records. All were denied, and the remains were buried as unknowns. In 2003 and 2015, the remains were exhumed by the DPAA. Currently, 26 individuals previously recommended for identification have been positively identified. The DPAA Science Director's opinion corresponded with 24 of their recommendations, while DNA excluded three. Caution should be taken by the forensic scientist when building assemblages through skeletal and dental articulation. The forensic odontologist must always consider variations in restorative care/extraction patterns and the possibility of documentation errors when reviewing/interpreting historical and current day dental records used for AM/PM comparisons. The odontologist should base their opinion on the strength of the antemortem/postmortem comparison, number and type of concordances, and distinct dental care and extraction patterns.     

Analysis of Frontal Sinuses for Personal Identification in a Chinese Sample Using a New Code Number

The study of frontal sinuses for personal identification is a considered approach in the forensic field. In Yoshino's system, the frontal sinus patterns of a given person were formulated as a code number (codY) obtained by arranging the class numbers in each classification item. The aim of this work was to use a new code number (codC) with eight digits that includes other two continuous variables obtained as ratios SOR₁ (left frontal sinus area/left orbit area) and SOR₂ (right frontal sinus area/right orbit area), comparing the results with that of Yoshino. Digital radiographic images of the skulls of 150 Chinese people were analyzed. Spearman's partial correlation coefficients were evaluated between variables characterizing frontal sinus patterns. We used a maximum-weight dependence tree for statistical analysis. Results demonstrated that codC significantly reduced the probability of having the same personal code number compared with codY. Our scientific approach results valid for personal identification purposes.     

超龄人员用工法律关系研究 —— 以《审理劳动争议案件解释（三）》第七条为切入点

因《劳动合同法》与《劳动合同法实施条例》存在相左规定,司法实践中,对超龄用工关系性质的认定不统一。《最高人民法院关于审理劳动争议案件适用法律若干问题的解释(三)》第七条对此冲突进行了补正。然而,因超龄用工关系认定理论的不足,仍未能解决司法实务中判断基准与裁判标准不统一问题,影响了司法的稳定性和可预见性。对此问题应以广阔的视角和务实的精神加以检讨:即以"社会保险待遇说"和"特殊劳动关系说"为理论支撑,在辨识劳动关系和劳动法律关系的前提下,从"分类以视之"的分析方式和解决思路入手,厘清超龄用工关系之情形,以准确认定其法律性质。     

论刑法对社会同一性的自我确认--适时性原则之讨论

法规范在认识上被充分确保与整个社会系统维持一种同一性关系的最关键点在于刑法对社会同一性予以自我确认,而这种自我确认的实现途径就在于将适时性作为刑事立法的一项基本原则。适时性原则,主要是指刑事立法要遵循适应社会现实需要,以确认与社会保持同一性的原则。其价值蕴涵反映出刑法对社会同一性自我确认的本质属性。     

当前印章鉴定的复杂性探源

印章签定复杂化的原因在于随着科技的发展 ,犯罪手段更加高明 ;当事人不提供或不能提供鉴定所需样本或提供不真实样本 ;文件正常行文规范被打破 ;鉴定人员能力不足以及送检人有意设障等因素的影响。对此 ,应从法律法规建设、遵守行文规范、鉴定人员能力培养、加强学术交流等方面着手 ,提高印章鉴定的水平。     

Measuring Party Identification: Britain, Canada, and the United States

The article proposes an empirically based reflection on how to measure party identification cross nationally, using data from the 1997 Canadian Election Study, the 1997 British Election Study, and the 1996 American National Election Study. These studies included both traditional national questions and a new common one, which allows for an assessment of the effects of question wording on the distribution and correlates of party identification. We show that the distribution of party identification is strongly affected by question wording and that the relationship between party identification and variables such as party and leader ratings, and voting behavior does not quite conform to theoretical expectations. We point out problems in the wording of party identification questions and propose an alternative formulation.     

析侦查实验、搜查、辨认三种笔录的证据能力

立法上规定的刑事证据有七种表现形式,除此之外,还存在其他＂能够证明案件真实情况的事实＂,如侦查实验、搜查、辨认笔录等。因此这几种在司法实践中能够证明案件情况的笔录是否属于证据以及应当归属于何种证据是个需要迫待解决的问题。     

利用牙齿影像进行同一认定的研究进展

牙齿是人体最坚固的组织,利用牙齿进行个体识别是最基础也是最具价值的方法之一。本文通过对国内外牙齿形态影像在个体识别中的特异性、稳定性及其技术的综述,提出了建立我国法齿学的设想。