Developmental validation of feline, bovine, equine, and cervid quantitative PCR assays

Accurate DNA quantification is essential for optimizing DNA testing and minimizing sample consumption. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays have been published for human and canine nuclear DNA, and the need for quantifying other forensically important species was evident. Following the strategy employed for the canine qPCR assay, we developed individual assays to accurately quantify feline, bovine, equine, and cervid nuclear DNA. Each TaqMan-based assay incorporates a genus-specific probe targeting the Melanocortin-1 Receptor gene and includes a piece of synthetic DNA that acts as an internal PCR control for detecting inhibition. Developmental validations were carried out following the revised guidelines of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods with modifications necessary for validation of nonhuman qPCR assays. All assays demonstrated the specificity, sensitivity, stability, reproducibility, accuracy, and precision required for forensic casework. The application of these assays to animal forensic DNA analysis has both conserved laboratory resources and improved genotyping results.     

Screening for malingering/exaggeration of psychiatric symptomatology in prison inmates using the PICTS Confusion and Infrequency scales

A sample of 76 federal prison inmates with a history or current complaints of significant psychiatric symptomatology at intake were followed for a period of 4-39 months by a psychologist who rated the inmate as malingering (n=12), substantially exaggerating (n=32), minimally exaggerating (n=23), or honestly reporting (n=9) signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, or severe anxiety disorder. The Confusion-revised (Cf-r) and Infrequency (INF) scales of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles, which had been administered routinely at intake, revealed that only the INF successfully predicted malingering and exaggeration of psychiatric symptomatology even after pre-existing group differences in age, race, and overall criminal thinking were controlled. These results suggest that the INF scale can potentially serve as an effective initial screening measure for malingering/exaggeration in inmates presenting with mental health complaints.     

Laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of triacylglycerols and other components in fingermark samples

The chemical composition of fingermarks could potentially be important for determining investigative leads, placing individuals at the time of a crime, and has applications as biomarkers of disease. Fingermark samples containing triacylglycerols (TAGs) and other components were analyzed using laser desorption/ionization (LDI) time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS). Only LDI appeared to be useful for this application while conventional matrix-assisted LDI-TOF MS was not. Tandem MS was used to identify/confirm selected TAGs. A limited gender comparison, based on a simple t-distribution and peaks intensities, indicated that two TAGs showed gender specificity at the 95% confidence level and two others at 97.5% confidence. Because gender-related TAGs differences were most often close to the standard deviation of the measurements, the majority of the TAGs showed no gender specificity. Thus, LDI-TOF MS is not a reliable indicator of gender based on fingermark analysis. Cosmetic ingredients present in some samples were identified.     

Analysis of alprazolam by DART-TOF mass spectrometry in counterfeit and routine drug identification cases

The high prevalence of alprazolam abuse translates to an increased workload for crime laboratories in characterizing seized tablets. These tablets may originate as diverted pharmaceuticals or counterfeited mimics, so efficient analytical techniques should provide confirmatory data while minimizing destruction of evidence. We offer the first report of a validated forensic method for confirming alprazolam tablets by direct analysis in real time-time of flight (DART-TOF) mass spectrometric analysis. This technique provides rapid identification of target analytes with minimal sample preparation, allowing direct analysis in the atmospheric sample gap. Selectivity is achieved through high resolution and mass accuracy, unique ion fragments, and chlorine isotopic ratios. This method utilizes fragmentation in two separate voltage functions to observe the alprazolam pseudo molecular ion at 309.09070 using 40 V and major ion fragments of 281.07197 and 205.07657 at 120 V. These parameters allow our laboratory to confirm alprazolam tablets efficiently, without compromising quality forensic standards.     

Visualizing latent fingerprints on color-printed papers using ultraviolet fluorescence

Laser detection of latent fingerprints on a white paper has been performed, previously. Ultraviolet fluorescence from various kinds of printer toner and ink used for home printers were measured to study fluorescence imaging of fingerprints on a color-printed white paper. The experimental system consisted of a nanosecond pulsed tunable laser and a cooled CCD camera. Excitation wavelengths are 230 and 280 nm. Fourteen printers consisting of three color laser printers, three color inkjet printers, five monochrome laser printers, two monochrome copy machines, and a color copy machine were tested. Toner and ink of most printers exhibited fluorescence in the region from 360 to 550 nm. In most cases, clear fluorescence images were obtained by time-resolved imaging with a band-pass filter and 280-nm excitation. However for toners from laser color printers that showed strong fluorescence, better results were obtained with 230-nm excitation. Latent fingerprints on a photograph page and a black-character page of a newspaper were also imaged.     

论民事诉讼申请再审期间制度之重构——以《民事诉讼法》修改为背景

《民事诉讼法》的修订在即,再审制度的完善仍然是本次修法的焦点。申请再审期间制度是再审制度的重要内容,也是考量再审制度设置合理化、规范化的重要问题。目前,我国现有申请再审期间的规定被学者们广为诟病,在实践中也不利于申诉滥情形的治理,故在本次《民事诉讼法》修订时,对该制度进行重构势在必行。     

大鼠闭合性脑损伤后MAP-2的时序性表达

目的探讨大鼠闭合性颅脑损伤后脑组织微管相关蛋门－2（MAP－2）表达变化规律。方法建立大鼠闭合性颅脯挫伤模型,64只Wistar大鼠随机分为损伤后0．5h、6h、12h、ld、3d、7d、14d7个损伤组及对照组,每组8只。应用免疫组化和蛋h印记Western blot法及图像分析技术,检测脑挫伤后各设定时间点挫伤脯组织中MAP－2的变化。结果免疫纽化染色显示：对照组大鼠脑组织中可见MAP－2阳性表达;实验组伤后0．5h,挫伤灶及周同MAP－2阳性表达下降,伤后6h阳性表达降至最低,伤后12h,阳性表达逐渐增多,伤后14d,仍保持较高水平;蛋白印记结果与免疫组化结果一致。统计学分析显爪：MAP－2的表达各损伤组与对照组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,伤后12h、3d及14d与上…组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论大鼠脑挫伤后14d内,MAP－2存脑组织挫伤灶及其周同呈现先减少后逐渐增多的表达变化,可作为推断脑挫伤经过时间的参考指标之一。     

外伤性癫痫法医学评定100例分析

目的探讨颅脑外伤后癫痫的法医学评定要点,提出外伤性癫痫的法医学评定依据。方法对100例颅脑损伤后癫痫患者门诊及住院病历,结合临床脑电图（EEG）结果、CT片、MRI片等影像学资料,进行了回顾性分析。结果依据GBl8667-2002《道路交通事故受伤人员伤残评定》标准有关颅脑损伤后癫痫发作类型、发作频率的相关条款规定,Ⅲ级伤残8人,Ⅴ级伤残10人,Ⅶ级伤残22人,Ⅸ级伤残40人,Ⅹ级伤残20人。误工期限、营养期限和护理期限评定结论时间长短差异较大,具有个体化特征。结论外伤后癫痫常继发于严重的颅脑损伤,其发作特点决定于颅脑外伤的部位和程度,外伤性癫痫法医学鉴定必须以外伤史及既往史为基础,结合电生理及影像学检查,综合癫痫发作类型、频率及药物控制情况作出正确的伤残等级及误工期限、护理期限、营养期限的鉴定结论。     

How important are interview methods and questionnaire designs in research on self-reported juvenile delinquency? An experimental comparison of Internet vs paper-and-pencil questionnaires and different definitions of the reference period

There has been relatively little change over recent decades in the methods used in research on self-reported delinquency. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered interviews in the classroom are still the predominant alternatives envisaged. New methods have been brought into the picture by recent computer technology, the Internet, and an increasing availability of computer equipment and Internet access in schools. In the autumn of 2004, a controlled experiment was conducted with 1,203 students in Lausanne (Switzerland), where “paper-and-pencil” questionnaires were compared with computer-assisted interviews through the Internet. The experiment included a test of two different definitions of the (same) reference period. After the introductory question (“Did you ever...”), students were asked how many times they had done it (or experienced it), if ever, “over the last 12 months” or “since the October 2003 vacation”. Few significant differences were found between the results obtained by the two methods and for the two definitions of the reference period, in the answers concerning victimisation, self-reported delinquency, drug use, failure to respond (missing data). Students were found to be more motivated to respond through the Internet, take less time for filling out the questionnaire, and were apparently more confident of privacy, while the school principals were less reluctant to allow classes to be interviewed through the Internet. The Internet method also involves considerable cost reductions, which is a critical advantage if self-reported delinquency surveys are to become a routinely applied method of evaluation, particularly so in countries with limited resources. On balance, the Internet may be instrumental in making research on self-reported delinquency far more feasible in situations where limited resources so far have prevented its implementation.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of canine DNA

The accurate quantification of target DNA is an important step in the short tandem repeat analysis of forensic biological samples. By utilizing quantification data to control the amount of template DNA in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), forensic scientists can optimize testing and minimize the consumption of limited samples. The ability to identify and quantify target DNA in mixed-species samples is crucial when it may be overwhelmed by nontarget DNA, as in cases of dog attack. We evaluated two quantitative real-time PCR assays for dynamic range, species specificity, and inhibition by humic acid. While both assays proved to be highly sensitive and discriminating, the Melanocortin-1 Receptor (MC1R) gene Taqman assay had the advantages of a shorter run time, greater efficiency, and safer reagents. In its application to forensic casework, the MC1R assay has been advantageous for quantifying dog DNA in a variety of mixed-species samples and facilitating the successful profiling of individual dogs.