A Computational Framework for Age‐at‐Death Estimation from the Skeleton: Surface and Outline Analysis of 3D Laser Scans of the Adult Pubic Symphysis

In forensic anthropology, age‐at‐death estimation typically requires the macroscopic assessment of the skeletal indicator and its association with a phase or score. High subjectivity and error are the recognized disadvantages of this approach, creating a need for alternative tools that enable the objective and mathematically robust assessment of true chronological age. We describe, here, three fully computational, quantitative shape analysis methods and a combinatory approach that make use of three‐dimensional laser scans of the pubic symphysis. We report a novel age‐related shape measure, focusing on the changes observed in the ventral margin curvature, and refine two former methods, whose measures capture the flatness of the symphyseal surface. We show how we can decrease age‐estimation error and improve prior results by combining these outline and surface measures in two multivariate regression models. The presented models produce objective age‐estimates that are comparable to current practices with root‐mean‐square‐errors between 13.7 and 16.5 years.     

Hierarchical,Three‐Dimensional Measurement System for Crime Scene Scanning

We present a new generation of three‐dimensional (3D) measuring systems, developed for the process of crime scene documentation. This measuring system facilitates the preparation of more insightful, complete, and objective documentation for crime scenes. Our system reflects the actual requirements for hierarchical documentation, and it consists of three independent 3D scanners: a laser scanner for overall measurements, a situational structured light scanner for more minute measurements, and a detailed structured light scanner for the most detailed parts of tscene. Each scanner has its own spatial resolution, of 2.0, 0.3, and 0.05 mm, respectively. The results of interviews we have conducted with technicians indicate that our developed 3D measuring system has significant potential to become a useful tool for forensic technicians. To ensure the maximum compatibility of our measuring system with the standards that regulate the documentation process, we have also performed a metrological validation and designated the maximum permissible length measurement error E_MPE for each structured light scanner. In this study, we present additional results regarding documentation processes conducted during crime scene inspections and a training session.     

20723例亲子鉴定中19个STR基因座的突变分析

目的观察并分析肯定亲权关系的案件,探索STR基因座的突变规律。方法采用Goldeneye 20A试剂盒对20723例肯定亲权关系的案件筛选等位基因突变事件,统计各基因座的突变率和突变等位基因的来源、片段大小、突变步数及重复单位的增加或减少情况,分析突变相关因素的特点。结果 19个STR基因座共发现548例突变,观察到557个突变事件,基因座的突变率为0.07‰~2.23‰。父系突变与母系突变的比例为3.06∶1。突变以一步突变为主,增加与减少重复单位的情况相当;二步以上(含二步)突变更易出现重复单位减少。突变主要发生于中等位基因,重复单位增减比例相当,长等位基因突变中重复单位减少显著多于增加。父系突变出现重复单位增加与减少的比例相当,母系突变重复单位减少较增加多见。结论各基因座的突变率差异具有统计学意义,当出现1~2个基因座不符合遗传规律时,应当加测其他检测系统,并结合突变基因座的信息计算PI值,以进一步明确鉴定意见。     

Predictors of Initial Court Agreement and 1‐Year Relitigation in Title IV‐D Contested Paternity Cases

We examined potential predictors of initial court agreement and 1‐year relitigation in a sample of contested paternity cases involving unmarried parents coming to court to establish paternity, child support, and other issues. Cases participated in an RCT of a parent program and of a waiting period between establishment of paternity and court hearing. We controlled for RCT study factors and used baseline assessment data to predict likelihood of reaching full agreement in the initial court hearing and relitigation in the following year. Findings suggest that cases in which parents get along better outside of court are more likely to reach agreement and less likely to return to court. Additionally, particular parent demographics predict lower likelihood of reaching initial agreement (e.g., parents are non‐White, father earns below $10,000 yearly), more relitigation (e.g., parents are non‐White, mother earns above $10,000 yearly, father has children with others), and less relitigation (e.g., father earns above $10,000 yearly). Child demographics and most parent relationship characteristics did not predict outcomes. We discuss findings and offer suggestions for court interventions.     

传染性喉气管炎病毒WG株糖蛋白gD基因主要抗原区的表达

为表达传染性喉气管炎病毒(ILTV)gD蛋白,根据GenBank中登录的ILTV全基因组序列(EU675324)设计了1对引物,进行gD全基因的PCR扩增,产物经纯化后连接至pGEM-T Easy载体,进行序列测定,采用DNAStar软件分析gD蛋白的抗原性,选择抗原性强的第256～405aa的编码片段设计引物并进行PCR扩增,结果获得截短的gD基因,将其克隆至原核表达载体pET-32a中,并转化E.coli BL21(DE3)。经IPTG诱导后,获得大小为43.5ku的重组蛋白,命名为r-gD。Western-blot分析结果表明,r-gD具有较强的抗原性。     

口蹄疫病毒3C基因与增强型绿色荧光蛋白基因的真核共表达

为验证siRNAs对口蹄疫病毒(FMDV)复制的抑制效果,用反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)扩增Asia 1型口蹄疫病毒Jiangsu/China/2005株的3C基因,克隆入增强型绿色荧光蛋白(EGFP)表达载体pEGFP-N1中,并进行双酶切、PCR及测序鉴定。将阳性重组质粒转染PK-15细胞,检测EGFP的表达和3C基因转录水平。结果显示,经PCR及双酶切鉴定,目的基因片段大小与预期相符,测序结果与Jiangsu/China/2005株相应序列一致。荧光显微镜和流式细胞仪均检测到细胞内有EGFP表达,实时荧光定量PCR检测到细胞内有3C基因的转录。证实,成功构建了FMDV 3C基因与EGFP共表达质粒并在PK-15细胞中获得了表达。     

中美三个联合公报的条约性质研析——兼论中国的对策

长期以来,中美两国对于中美三个联合公报的法律性质存在着极大的争议:中国认为中美三个联合公报是有拘束力的条约,美国却否认这一点。这种争议的结果既严重损害了中美三个联合公报的权威性,更严重阻碍了中美关系的正常发展。根据国际条约法的基本原则和基本理论,特别是从条约的基本特征、美国国内法关于条约的定性、三个联合公报的履约情况等方面进行的深入分析表明,中美三个联合公报确定无疑是有拘束力的条约。基于此,中国政府应该积极寻求维护中美三个联合公报权威性及其条约性质的法律对策。     

原发性脑干损伤神经元凋亡及caspase3的表达

目的观察原发性脑干损伤（PBSI）致死者脑干神经元凋亡及caspase3的表达情况,探讨其法医学意义。方法选择法医学检案中30例确定为原发性脑干损伤致死者脑干,按伤后不同存活时间（t≤5min、5min〈t≤15min、15min〈t≤1h、1h〈t≤24h）分为4组,以5例非脑干损伤死亡者脑干为对照组;分别运用常规HE、免疫组化和TUNEL染色检测中脑、桥脑及延脑重要核团内神经元凋亡及caspase3的表达情况。结果原发性脑干损伤后15min～24h出现明显神经元细胞凋亡（23.2%～35.9%）和caspase3阳性表达（28%～54%）,并呈现随损伤时间进行性增加的趋势,与对照组有显著性差异（P〈0.01）。结论原发性脑干损伤早期即出现神经元凋亡及caspase3表达增加,并随损伤时间的延长呈进行性增加,可据此辅助诊断原发性脑干损伤死亡。     

河南汉族群体D6S1043和D12S391遗传多态性

本文调查了D12S391和D6S1043基因座等位基因频率在231名河南汉族群体中的分布,以期为这两个基因座在相关汉族群体内的应用提供基础数据。