The Linux FAT32 allocator and file creation order reconstruction

The allocation algorithm of the Linux FAT32 file system driver positions files on disk in such a way that their relative positions reveal information on the order in which these files have been created. This provides an opportunity to enrich information from (carved) file fragments with time information, even when such file fragments lack the file system metadata in which time-related information is usually to be found.Through source code analysis and experiments the behaviour of the Linux FAT allocator is examined. How an understanding of this allocator can be applied in practice is demonstrated with a case study involving a TomTom GPS car navigation device. In this case, time information played a crucial role. Large amounts of location records could be carved from this device's flash storage, yielding insight into the locations the device has visited—yet the carved records themselves offered no information on when the device had been at the locations. Still, bounds on the records' time of creation could be inferred when making use of filesystem timestamps related to neighbouring on-disk positions.Finally, we perform experiments which contrast the Linux behaviour with that of Windows 7. We show that the latter differs subtly, breaking the strong relation between creation order and position.     

Determination of average vehicle speed utilizing reverse projection

Reverse projection photogrammetry has long been used to estimate the height of an individual in forensic video examinations. A natural extrapolation would be to apply the same technique on a video to estimate the speed of an object by determining the distance traveled between two points over a set amount of time. To test this theory, five digital video recorders (DVRs) were connected to a single fixed camera to record a vehicle traveling down a track. The vehicle's speed was measured through Doppler radar by a trained operator and the speedometer of the vehicle was also recorded with a video camera. The recorded video was examined and the frames that best depict the beginning and end of the vehicles course were selected. Two reverse projection photogrammetric examinations were performed on the selected frames to establish the position of the vehicle. The distance between the two points was measured, and the time elapsed between the two points was examined. The outcome provided an accurate speed result with a standard degree of uncertainty. This study proves the feasibility of using video data and reverse projection photogrammetry to determine the speed of a vehicle with a limited set of variables. Further research is needed to determine how additional variables would impact the standard degree of uncertainty.     

Forensic Facial Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of Nasal Prediction Techniques

Prediction facial features from the skull are recurring theme on the forensic literature. The nose has been investigated since it has a significant role in facial recognition and the literature shows that there is not an universal method for nasal prediction. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to analyze what are the most consistent techniques of nasal reconstruction. Primary studies describing or validating nasal reconstruction techniques in adults and published in journals of Forensic Sciences were included in this review. Tedeschi‐Oliveira's method positioned nasal tip with acceptable accuracy as Gerasimov's method. The Krogman's and Iscan's technique underestimated nasal projection in North Americans. The Prokopec's and Ubelaker's method obtained accuracy in Caucasoid. George's method presented results similar to reference standard in Caucasoid. In a supplementary way, studies are needed to accurately estimate the nasal width.     

The road home: an examination of the successes and challenges of housing non-profits in New Orleans since Katrina

Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of nearly 1000 Louisiana residents and damaged about 80% of the building stock in New Orleans. Unequal protection from the hurricane and uneven recovery patterns have left some communities (predominantly low-income and black) with few options to rebuild their homes. These factors have created a high demand for housing non-profits specializing in new construction as well as low-cost home repairs. Drawing from interviews with a number of stakeholders including non-profits completing home repairs and new construction for low-income residents, this article identifies the type, amount and target areas for work done by housing non-profits in post-Katrina New Orleans. Additionally, it identifies the challenges for future work and limitations in the non-profits’ ability to address housing inequity in New Orleans.     

The Influence of Wood Grain on the Bullet's Ricochet Behavior

When a bullet ricochets from wood, various parameters will influence its behavior. In this study, the influence of the wood grain on the ricochet angle (β) and deflection angle (γ) is assessed. Series of five .32 Auto bullets were fired at different angles of incidence (α) on boards of six wood types. The results confirm the previously shown effect that the mean β‐angles usually exceed α and increase when α increases. Overall, the maximum mean γ occurs when the angle of wood grain (ζ), in relation to the plane of impact, lies between 30° and 75° but differs per combination of wood and α. The results show the inclination of γ toward the left or right, depending on the bullets left or right rotation while also showing that the direction of ζ can enhance or counteract this effect considerably, especially when α is close to the critical ricochet angle.     

Vertical Lip Position and Thickness in Facial Reconstruction: A Validation of Commonly Used Methods for Predicting the Position and Size of Lips

This study examined several methods used to estimate oral fissure position, lip margin position, and lip thickness recommended by Angel, George, Lebedinskaya, Taylor, Wilkinson et al., Balueva and Veselovskaya. A sample of 86 lateral head cephalograms of adult subjects from central Europe were measured and the actual and predicted dimensions were compared. The best estimation for oral fissure position was “opposite the lower ¾ mark of maxillary incisors” (error of 1.3 mm). Upper lip margin was predicted best by “upper ¼ mark of maxillary incisors” (error of 1.7 mm), and lower lip margin by “cementum‐enamel junction of mandibular incisors” (error of 2.3 mm). The regression equations of Wilkinson et al. displayed least error (1.3 mm and 1.8 mm, respectively) for upper and lower lip thickness, and method of George (error of 3.4 mm) for total lip thickness.     

犯罪压力下的警力资源不足之探讨

中国警力资源不足是客观存在的,造成中国警力资源不足最为主要的原因是犯罪压力太大,而不是警民比例"太低",警民比例"低"是受认识和计算方法的影响所至,仅用警民人数比例生搬硬套来说明警力不足既不全面也不科学,存在很多理论上的误区和漏洞.除犯罪压力影响外,经费保障不足和资源结构配置不够合理造成警力资源失衡、警察体制机制问题、警察工作倦怠以及警察大量的身心健康问题也加剧了警力资源的不足.针对警力资源不足,可采取的相应对策有进一步深化改革,推进"三基"工程建设,将工作落到实处,注重在科技强警上下功夫,给警力松绑,增加经费的投入,从制度上提供良好的后勤保障环境,从优待警,留住警察人才,以及关心警察、注重解决警察的身心健康问题等.     

爆炸案件现场重建初探

随着国际恐怖主义活动的日益猖獗,爆炸案件也呈逐年上升之势,爆炸案件向来是公安机关重点打击的刑事犯罪之一,因此爆炸案件的侦破工作显得尤为重要。而现场重建运用于现场破坏严重、现场范围大且难度天的爆炸案件现场勘查中有其独特的优势。分析爆炸案件特点、爆炸现场重建要解决的问题,探讨采集现场重建各要素的方式,整合刑事技术方面的多重信息,针对爆炸现场最大限度地提出重建与恢复的步骤、方法,从而使现场重建在爆炸案件侦破工作中发挥其重要作用。     

论对特殊被害人的刑法保护—以我国刑法第254条、255条之规定为视角

所谓特殊被害人,即我国刑法第254条、255条规定的遭受打击报复、陷害等犯罪行为的控告人、申诉人、批评人、举报人、会计人员、统计人员等六种被害人员。当前,这六种人员在履行职责、维护正义、维护国家、集体、自身利益时,其中的部分人时常遭到打击报复、陷害,人身权利和民主权利得不到保障。造成这一现象的原因固然众多,然而刑法第254条、255条规定之缺陷为重要缘由,因为对特殊被害人的刑法保护在法律上主要体现为刑法第254条、255条之规定。因此,为加强对特殊被害人的刑法保护,尽快完善这两条已成当务之急。     

全球背景下中国纠纷解决机制之重构

全球化对中国纠纷解决提出了特殊要求,主要体现为回应型的纠纷解决机理及纠纷解决模式的趋同,在此背景下,应对中国的纠纷解决机制进行反思,并重构当代中国的纠纷解决机制。