Is Fluorescence Under an Alternate Light Source Sufficient to Accurately Diagnose Subclinical Bruising?

This single‐blinded, randomized validation study was conducted to evaluate whether fluorescence under alternate light sources (ALS) is sufficient to diagnose subclinical bruising (bruising not visible under white light). Standardized trauma was induced on randomly selected ventral forearms. On days 1, 7, and 14 investigators independently examined case forearms under white light for perceived bruising and under ALS for fluorescence and compared body maps. 56 case and 62 control forearms (n = 118) were examined. Sensitivity of ALS on days 1, 7, and 14 was 76.8%, 69.6%, and 60.7%, respectively, compared to 69.6%, 60.0%, and 32.1% for white light. The specificity of ALS on days 1, 7, and 14 was 51.6%, 59.7%, and 53.2%, respectively, compared to 71.0%, 81.4%, and 86.9% for white light. ALS has increased sensitivity yet low specificity compared to white light in accurately detecting bruises. Fluorescence under ALS is not sufficient to accurately or responsibly diagnose subclinical bruising.     

Perspectives of Justice for Victims of Sexual Violence

Many victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse seek justice through the courts. This study explored disjunctures in the perceptions of two key groups of professionals, agents of the court and victim therapists/advocates, regarding the role, experiences and outcomes for victims of sexual violence in the criminal justice system. Concerns are expressed that their divergent views shape the expectations of victims, potentially contributing to disappointment and a sense of re-victimization.     

警察权的限度：以使用致命武器为例的分析

为保障警察依法履行其职责，法律规定警察有使用致命武器的权利。但近年来，我国警察在使用致命武器的问题上却处于十分尴尬的境地。在现实中。警察权的行使到底应以什么为限？警察使用致命武器的标准是什么？当多个利益发生冲突时。如何寻求一种平衡来达到整体的最佳效果？为此，建议考虑在“正常警察理论”下制定相关法律，厘清并明晰此项权利的限度，以为保护公民合法权益筑起一道堡垒。     

CHOOSE TO HUG,NOT HIT*

This article discusses reasonable chastisement of children as a defense by parents to assault charges. It suggests that its continued retention contravenes the rights of children and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It compares developments in various countries, such as the Scandinavian countries and New Zealand, where the defense has been abolished, as compared with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where it has been retained. It suggests that its continued retention encourages bullying and violence in schools and in later adult life.     

回溯与前瞻——女性性自治权的刑法保护

性侵犯罪的历史是一个从财产到权利的演变过程,从性侵犯罪的沿革来看,刑法对于性自治权的保护呈上升趋势,侵犯性自治权犯罪的起刑点在不断降低。我国刑法在性侵犯罪中仍然存在对女性的歧视,这不符合国际公约的标准。当前,应当进一步降低性侵犯罪的入罪起点,将婚内强奸、疏忽性侵犯规定为犯罪,同时设立新的同意标准。     

ALCOHOL AND THE RISK OF PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMIZATION*

We examine the effect of alcohol consumption on an individual's risk of victimization for physical and sexual assault. Analyses of the National Violence Against Women Survey suggest that the frequency and amount of alcohol people consume has strong effects on their risk of victimization when drinking, but is not associated with their victimization while sober. This evidence suggests that drinking has a situational causal effect on victimization, and cannot be attributed to opportunity factors associated with drinking. This effect is particularly strong for men and young adults, who may be more likely to behave provocatively when under the influence. Victims of sexual assaults and men assaulted by their female partners are also particularly likely to be drinking.     

THIS WEEK

正JOINT MARITIME DRILLS A task force launches a simulated assault on a"hijacked"ship off the coastal city of Qingdao,east China’s Shandong Province,on April 23,as part of multi-national maritime drills.Warships,helicopters and marine corps from eight countries were organized in the water near Qingdao for exercises that focused on joint search and rescue operations.     

Choose Your Weapon: The Impact of Strategic Considerations and Resource Constraints on Terrorist Group Weapon Selection

ABSTRACT

Historians of terrorism note that modern terrorists rely almost exclusively on two weapon types: the gun and the bomb. However, the comparative use of these weapons differs from one terrorist group to the next. We exploit this variation to examine how the tactical decisions of terrorists respond to both strategic aspirations and resource constraints. We argue that a group’s goals (a strategic consideration) and size (a resource constraint) provide a parsimonious explanation for weapon selection. Because firearms inherently expose the shooter to higher risk, are more precise, and must be used if a group aspires to maintain social order, they are unlikely to be used by groups with limited recruits in a campaign of violence. We test this theory using data on over 350 terrorist organizations. Our analysis shows that strategic considerations and resource constraints both impact tactical choices, although groups with the most expansive goals, those which transcend national borders, as well as militias, are two interesting exceptions to our theory. Our research has implications for the use of disaggregated tactical data and in furthering our understanding of the rationality of terrorism.     

Self-Reports of Traumatic Events in a Random Sample of Incarcerated Women

Abstract

As the number of incarcerated women increases, in-depth knowledge about women's life experiences is needed to direct treatment, pre-release planning, and supervision. This study describes the nature, scope, and socioeconomic correlates of traumatic life events in a random sample of 403 women entering a state correctional facility. Ninety-nine percent of the sample reported having experienced at least one traumatic life event; 81% experienced five or more. Reports of several experiences differed by age, race, and marital status. The most compelling findings were related to the experience of homelessness. Women who had been without a place to live for at least seven days were between 2.19 and 5.62 times more likely to have experienced 14 of 21 traumatic events. Most of these events were defined by interpersonal violence. Implications for correctional policy are discussed, particularly the potential for incarceration to replicate or ameliorate symptoms of traumatic stress through the structure and routine of the prison environment.     

Development and validation of molecular methodologies for identification of biological traces from crime scenes

This study aimed to develop a methodology to identify biological fluids in sexual assault cases through mRNA markers. Biological fluid samples such as blood, saliva, and semen were collected from volunteers and submitted to RT-qPCR reactions with specific primers for the biomarkers HTN3 (saliva), ALAS (blood) andTGM4 (semen). The Melting (Tm) of each biological fluid was analyzed and the result inferred a high specificity capable of differentiating such traces. Biplex systems were generated to improve trace analysis in a single qPCR reaction.