An Archival Analysis of Actual Cases of Historic Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparison of Jury and Bench Trials

Logistic regression analyses were used to predict verdicts from 466 Canadian jury and 644 Canadian judge-alone criminal trials involving delayed or historic allegations of child sexual abuse. Variables in regard to the complainant and offence were selected from the legal, clinical, and experimental literatures, including mock juror research. Of six variables that had been related to decisions reached in mock juror research concerning delayed allegations of child sexual abuse (i.e., repressed memory testimony, involvement in therapy, length of delay, age of complainant, presence of experts, and frequency of abuse) two (age of complainant and presence of expert) predicted verdicts. An additional five variables (duration, severity, complainant–accused relationship, threats, and complainant gender) were also examined: of these, threats and the complainant–accused relationship reliably predicted jury verdicts. For judge-alone trials, five variables predicted verdict: length of the delay, offence severity, claims of repression, the relationship between complainant and accused, and presence of an expert. Implications of the jurors' and judges' differential sensitivity to these variables for future simulation and archival research are discussed.     

Towards an epigenetic approach to experimental criminology: The 2004 Joan McCord Prize Lecture

One of the numerous important contributions of Joan McCord to criminology was her long term follow up of an exceptionally well designed experimental prevention study initiated in the 1930s. Her work influenced a large number of longitudinal and experimental studies which form the basis of developmental and experimental criminology. The aim of this paper is to highlight how developmental criminology, experimental criminology, and developmental genetics (epigenetics) are starting to blend together to explain the causes of antisocial behavior, and more importantly to help prevent chronic antisocial behavior. The paper uses physical aggression as an example of a developmental outcome of gene–environment interactions.     

"三个代表"与"三个考验"

“三个代表”的重大意义和生命力在于对“建设一个什么样的党、怎样建设党”这一现实问题,对“三个考验”的挑战作出了适时而有力的回答。     

Expert Evidence As Context: Historical Patterns and Contemporary Attitudes in the Prosecution of Sexual Offences

In H.M. Advocate v. Grimmond ¹ the judge in a Scottish High Court trial refused permission for expert psychological evidence to be admitted on behalf of the Crown in a prosecution involving sexual offences against two children. The Crown had sought to lead an expert witness to explain to the jury about patterns of disclosure in child sexual abuse cases. The case was remarkable, not so much for the strict application of the longstanding rule in R. v. Turner that constrains the use in the courtroom of expert evidence from the behavioural sciences, but for the way in which the arguments presented by the Crown in Grimmond resonate with enduring feminist critiques regarding the treatment of women in rape trials. The theoretical issues raised by the decision include the quest for context to counter rigid evidential frameworks, and the choice of a child sexual abuse case as the medium for challenging the boundaries of the admissibility of expert evidence in the courtroom. The ramifications of Grimmond are tangible as legislation intended to benefit children and women has already been enacted by the Scottish Parliament to ameliorate the effects of the decision. This article suggests that while this legislation should be given a cautious welcome it remains to be seen whether the heralded benefits will actually materialise. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

控制下交付论纲

控制下交付作为打击毒品犯罪尤其是跨国的有组织的毒品犯罪的重要措施和手段 ,已发挥出越来越重要的作用 ,是其他缉毒措施和手段所无法取代的。有鉴于此 ,世界各国纷纷通过有关法律对控制下交付予以肯定和规范 ,并积极地运用于缉毒斗争中 ,取得了显著的成效。但是控制下交付的艰巨性和复杂性又决定了运用该项措施必须注意策略与方法 ,否则极易功亏一篑 ,导致不利局面的出现     

The Effect of Temperature and Laboratory Rearing Conditions on the Development of Dermestes maculatus (Coleoptera: Dermestidae)

Experiments were conducted to study the life cycle of Dermestes maculatus and to establish the total developmental time and the developmental time of immature stages, in relation with six different temperatures. We also analyzed the variations in size, morphology, and other indicators of temporal variation during life cycle of D. maculatus, in relation with temperature. One hundred larvae were selected per experiment, reared individually. The remaining larvae were reared to evaluate and establish temporal variations among the instars (length, cephalic width, and dry weight). In all trials, survivorship was greater than 50% and seven larval instars were found. Data of the average developmental time of immature stages and of the total cycle, at different temperatures, are provided. This is of relevance when estimating particularly, a minimum PMI. No relation between morphometric parameters and temperature was found, suggesting that other random factors may have been involved. Thus, this indicates that the method of isomegalen diagrams could not be used for calculating PMI.     

论公司法法律规范类型及其适用

公司法兼具强制性和任意性的特点,决定着公司法法律规范中既有强制性规范．又有大量的任意性规范和倡导性规范。如何区分和判别公司法法律规范的类型是公司法实务中面临的首要问题．更是正确适用公司法的前提。判别和适用公司法法律规范,不仅要从法条文意上进行理解,还要结合公司法立法精神、执法理念及相关法条等进行综合分析和判断。     

建构主义学习理论在英语教学中的应用

建构主义学习理论为英语教师提供了很好的借鉴作用。它强调学生的主体地位和教师的指导作用,注重学习情境的真实性、学习的协作性和对意义建构的独立性。这种理论指导下的教学方法——支架式教学、抛锚式教学和随机进入教学,对英语教学有很好的启示作用。     

Development of a Protein‐based Human Identification Capability from a Single Hair

Shed human hair (lacking root nuclear DNA) frequently contributes important information to forensic investigations involving human identification. Detection of genetic variation observed in amino acid sequences of hair proteins provides a new suite of identity markers that augment microscopic hair analysis and mitochondrial DNA sequencing. In this study, a new method that completely dissolves single hairs using a combination of heat, ultrasonication, and surfactants was developed. Dissolved proteins were digested and genetically variant peptide (GVP) profiles were obtained for single hairs (25 mm) via high‐resolution nanoflow liquid chromatography‐based mass spectrometry and a novel exome‐driven bioinformatic approach. Overall, 6519 unique peptides were identified and a total of 57 GVPs were confirmed. Random match probabilities ranged between 2.6 × 10^?2 and 6.0 × 10^?9. The new bioinformatic strategy and ability to analyze GVPs in forensically relevant samples sizes demonstrate applicability of this approach to distinguish individuals in forensic contexts.     

Parental attitudes following exposure to child abuse prevention campaign materials: a randomized trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate child abuse prevention campaign materials. Using a randomized posttest design, 600 parents from an online research panel were recruited and surveyed. Multiple regression results indicate that exposure to the campaign materials had a significant relationship with four of the five domains (effects of child maltreatment, the appropriateness of harsh parenting, the physical dangers and needs unique to childhood, and the power to prevent child maltreatment). These results have implications for the child abuse prevention practitioners who seek to design and distribute effective campaign materials.