China's Continuous Dam-building on the Mekong River

This article analyses China's hydro-politics along the Mekong River. It seeks to explain why China's unilateral dam-building projects on the upper reaches of the river have not been met with sustained criticism on the part of the downstream riparian countries, for which upstream dams are likely to have severe negative consequences. It is held that China has embarked on a strategy of implicit and broadly conceived actor-reversed issue linkage as a means to nip any loud disapproval of its dams in the bud. By downplaying its dam-building projects and instead promoting common development goals with the Mekong riparian countries through highly increased political and economic engagement, Beijing has successfully defused any potential counter-measures against its dams, at least for the time being. The sustainability of this strategy and its transferability to others of China's trans-boundary rivers must be questioned.     

Estimating the Skull‐to‐Camera Distance from Facial Photographs for Craniofacial Superimposition

The overlay of a skull and a face image for identification purposes requires similar subject‐to‐camera distances (SCD) to be used at both photographic sessions so that differences in perspective do not compromise the anatomical comparisons. As the facial photograph is the reference standard, it is crucial to determine its SCD first and apply this value to photography of the skull. So far, such a method for estimating the SCD has been elusive (some say impossible), compromising the technical validity of the superimposition procedure. This paper tests the feasibility of using the palpebral fissure length and a well‐established photographic algorithm to accurately estimate the SCD from the facial photograph. Recordings at known SCD across a 1–10 m range (repeated under two test conditions) demonstrate that the newly formulated method works: a mean SCD estimation error of 7% that translates into <1% perspective distortion error between estimated and actual conditions.     

Comparison of the Performance of Two Methods for Height Estimation

Abstract: In the case study, two methods of performing body height measurements in images are compared based on projective geometry and 3D modeling of the crime scene. Accuracy and stability of height estimations are tested using reconstruction images of test persons of known height. Given unchanged camera settings, predictions of both methods are accurate. However, as the camera had been moved in the case, new vanishing points and camera matches had to be created for the reconstruction images. 3D modeling still yielded accurate and stable estimations. Projective geometry produced incorrect predictions for test persons and unstable intervals for questioned persons. The latter is probably caused by the straight lines in the field of view being hard to discern. With the quality of material presented, which is representative for our case practice, using vanishing points may thus yield unstable results. The results underline the importance of performing validation experiments in casework.     

Agonal Sequences in Eight Filmed Hangings: Analysis of Respiratory and Movement Responses to Asphyxia by Hanging*

Abstract: It has been proposed that filmed hangings may hold the key to a better understanding of human asphyxia, and The Working Group on Human Asphyxia was formed to systematically review and compare these video recordings. This study analyzed eight filmed hangings. Considering time 0 to represent the onset of the final hanging, rapid loss of consciousness was observed (at 8–18 sec), closely followed by convulsions (at 10–19 sec). A complex pattern of decerebrate rigidity and decorticate rigidity then followed. Between 1 min 38 sec and 2 min 15 sec, muscle tone seemed to be lost, the body becoming progressively flaccid. From then on, isolated body movements were observed from time to time, the last one occurring between 1 min 2 sec and 7 min 31 sec. As for the respiratory responses, all cases presented deep rhythmic abdominal respiratory movements (last one between 1 min 2 sec and 2 min 5 sec).     

DMCA在美国视频网站侵权案中的适用分析

随着网络信息技术的日新月异和迅猛发展,网络悄然成为许多人每天生活的一部分,人们不仅可以通过网络查收邮件、进行工作或学术研究、获取指令等,还可以通过网络观看电视电影、欣赏音乐和读书看报。但互联网在为人们提供快捷便利服务的同时,也给网络版权保护领域带来了前所未有的困难和挑战。特别是互联网应用方式的层出不穷,互联网信息共享技术发展的多元化,使得版权侵权案件纷至沓来,如何更好地实现在线视频网络服务商的“安全港原则”保护,这是一个值得认真思考的法律问题。     

讯问犯罪嫌疑人同步录音录像的证据学分析

讯问犯罪嫌疑人录音录像的证据类型是动态的,根据证明目的的改变而改变。在审查其证据能力的时候应当以“没有异议可采,有异议有限可采”为标准。面对证据立法上的滞后,应该加快立法完善的步伐。     

Forensic investigation of cross platform massively multiplayer online games: Minecraft as a case study

Minecraft, a Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG), has reportedly millions of players from different age groups worldwide. With Minecraft being so popular, particularly with younger audiences, it is no surprise that the interactive nature of Minecraft has facilitated the commission of criminal activities such as denial of service attacks against gamers, cyberbullying, swatting, sexual communication, and online child grooming. In this research, there is a simulated scenario of a typical Minecraft setting, using a Linux Ubuntu 16.04.3 machine (acting as the MMOG server) and Windows client devices running Minecraft. Server and client devices are then examined to reveal the type and extent of evidential artefacts that can be extracted.     

试析网络暴力游戏之恶名及由来

网络暴力游戏是一个未经科学定义的、内涵模糊的词语,但却被人们普遍的使用。当网络游戏与暴力这两个语素组合到一起的时候,网络暴力游戏就被赋予了浓重的消极色彩。它成为了人们强烈抨击和谴责的对象,甚至成为未成年人暴力行为直接的、重要的诱发原因。社会形成了一场声势浩大并持久的对网络暴力游戏的讨伐运动。这场运动是以家长、老师对孩子的失望情绪和追责需要为前提和基础的;我国主流媒体则将这些情绪和需求聚焦并放大,使之成为强势主流话语,而最终形成了这场对网络暴力游戏的批判运动。     

制度变迁与权力博弈：国际货币体系的双重困境

在国际秩序变革期,国际货币体系的变迁和安全状况出现新的特征和问题。在体系演进的不同阶段,国际货币体系变革的核心逻辑不同。在运行之初和体系修正时期,制度变迁是核心逻辑,而在霸权护持和体系重构时期,权力政治是核心逻辑。由此,对国际货币体系变迁的解释需要综合考虑权力逻辑和制度逻辑在国际货币体系不同阶段的相互作用和共同影响。从制度逻辑而言,国际货币体系长期存在的诸多问题依然未能得到有效解决,甚至有更加恶化的趋势,主要包括主权货币充当国际货币的困局、全球宏观经济失衡与调整不力、汇率波动与失调持续加剧、全球货币治理组织低效等,国际货币制度变迁的“均衡困境”持续存在。同时,当前国际货币体系已步入霸权护持期,权力博弈和大国竞争更加显著,国际货币体系变革又陷入新困境,即国际货币体系的主导国美国无意或无力修正体系的根本性问题和解决其结构性矛盾,转而运用多种方略维护美元霸权,但这些霸权方略的反噬效应,使国际货币体系变得更加不稳定和不安全。国际货币制度变迁和权力政治博弈逻辑下的新旧困境交叠,维护国际与国家货币安全面临更加严峻的挑战,由此也为相关研究带来一个新的研究议程。     

Visualization of gunshot residue patterns on dark clothing

ABSTRACT: Determination of the muzzle‐to‐target distance is often a critical factor in criminal and civil investigations involving firearms. However, seeing and recording gunshot residue patterns can be difficult if the victim's clothing is dark and/or bloodstained. Trostle reported the use of infrared film for the detection of burn patterns. However, only after the film is developed are the results visible and multiple exposures at different settings may be needed. The Video Spectral Comparator^? 2000 (Foster & Freeman Ltd., Evesham, Worcestershire, U.K.) is an imaging instrument routinely used by forensic document examiners. Without use of specialized film could the VSC 2000 (at appropriate instrument settings) quickly, easily, and reliably provide instantaneous viewing, saving, and printing of gunshot residue patterns on dark and/or blood soaked clothing? At muzzle‐to‐target distances of 6, 12, and 18 in., test fires were made into five different types of dark clothing using eight different handguns of different calibers. Gunshot residues were detected for all eight calibers, and powder burn patterns were seen on dark clothing for all three target distances and calibers except 0.22 long rifle and 0.25 ACP. Bloodstains did not preclude the viewing of these patterns.