The idea of a Southern Criminology

Southern Criminology is a theoretical perspective that shifts the focus from the state criminal justice process to global inequalities, transnational crime, and postcolonial politics. While recognising the importance of this shift in perspective for a globalising world, this paper asks two difficult questions. Firstly, how easy is it to generalise about whole regions of the world in advancing a political viewpoint? Secondly, is it possible for those in the West to imagine an alternative global criminology, if non-Western societies really do have different cultural values and epistemologies? For example, how should we respond to traditional practices among Indigenous Australians or a Confucian understanding of crime? These questions may make a Southern Criminology sound impossible in the same way as other varieties of critical theory. But this paper is intended to strengthen this emerging movement by acknowledging, and working through, potential difficulties.     

Two-dimensional linear analysis of dynamic bare footprints: A comparison of measurement techniques

In forensic intelligence-gathering, footprints have been shown to be valued evidence found at crime scenes. Forensic podiatrists and footprint examiners use a variety of techniques for measuring footprints for comparison of the crime scene evidence with the exemplar footprints. This study examines three different techniques of obtaining two-dimensional linear measurement data of dynamic bare footprints. Dynamic bare footprints were gathered from 50 students from a podiatric medical school using the Identicator® Inkless Shoe Print Model LE 25P system. After obtaining 100 bilateral footprints from the participants, the quantitative measurement data were collected by using three different measurement techniques: (i) a manual technique using a ruler (direct technique); (ii) an Adobe® Photoshop® technique; and (iii) a GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) technique. The seven Reel linear measurement methodology was used for producing measurements using these three techniques.This study showed that all the mean bare footprint measurements on the right and left feet obtained using the direct technique were larger than those obtained using GIMP and Adobe® Photoshop® images. Differences were also observed in measurements produced using GIMP software and Photoshop images. However, the differences observed in the three techniques used for bare footprint measurements were not found to be statistically significant. The study concludes that there are no significant differences between the three measurement techniques when applied to two-dimensional bare footprints using the Reel method. It further concluded that any of these measurement techniques can be used when employing the Reel methodology for footprint analysis without significant difference.     

Contactless Visualization of Latent Fingerprints on Nonporous Curved Surfaces of Circular Cross Section—A Statistical Evaluation on the Materials as Plane Mirror

A new contactless technique for latent fingerprint visualization on nonporous curved surfaces of circular cross section was introduced by Low et al. (1). The technique utilizes a plane mirror to convey the light rays toward the inspected surfaces for latent fingerprint visualization. This research activity came up as an extension of the previous study which utilized an aluminum plate as the plane mirror to illuminate the inspected surfaces. Dulling spray was used to increase the diffuse component of the reflective aluminum plate. However, the amount of dulling spray will affect the uniformity of the illumination on the inspected curved surfaces. In this study, a study on the new materials for the plane mirror was carried out. Coated aluminum, opal, and ground glass diffusers were selected as the new materials. The performance of the new materials was compared to the aluminum based on the quality of the captured images on various nonporous cylindrical surfaces. A statistical approach known as randomized complete block design was used to design the experiment. The quality of the captured images was obtained using Spectral Image Validation and Verification. Two‐way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test were used to analyze the quality of the images. From the results of the statistical analysis, coated aluminum has the best performance compared to aluminum, opal, and ground glass diffusers.     

Reviewing the effectiveness of the Oxford tutorial system in teaching an undergraduate qualifying law degree: a discussion of preliminary findings from a pilot study

At undergraduate level the tutorial system at Oxford University has several features that serve to make it almost unique in UK Higher Education. Undergraduates are taught in tutorial groups, typically made up of one to three students, on a weekly basis. Work is usually prepared in advance of these sessions by students and the tutorial is then used as an opportunity for students to receive direct feedback on their work, as well as a platform for further work and tutor-led discussion. The central issue to be explored in this paper, which reports the findings of tutorial observations and interviews involving Oxford University Law students, is the effectiveness of this system of teaching. Supporters of the Oxford tutorial system regard it as more academically challenging and rigorous than other methods of teaching, with its emphasis on developing critical thinking skills and a critical dialogue around feedback. Its detractors, meanwhile, consider it open to potential inconsistency and misuse by tutors. Key findings of this study give more support to the arguments of the former. It will also be demonstrated that there are a number of discipline-specific issues, which make consideration of the tutorial system particularly relevant and enlightening for undergraduate Law students.     

大众文化与文化产业——批判理论的批判与中国语境的规范

大众文化的崛起与文化产业的兴盛带来了许多理论话题与现实问题.西方有影响的文化理论与批评话语引进新中国后,刺激了中国大众文化批评的开展,也解决了一部分中国的大众文化现实问题,至今仍是我们走向中国大众文化理论所必须汲取的话语资源.但我们要警惕和防止以"他者"的文化眼光来遮蔽中国本土的问题情况,或把西方社会的文化问题硬性移植到中国而变成"假想敌".     

谈心理测试技术介入刑事诉讼

心理测试技术作为一种应用广泛的科技手段,在侦查实践中发挥着重要作用。但是,心理测试的结果能否作为刑事诉讼的证据,法律上对此并未作出明确的规定。为了进一步规范心理测试技术的应用,有必要就这项技术的产生、发展及其科学原理和测试结果在刑事诉讼中的地位等方面进行深入探讨,并建立、健全心理测试技术应用制度。     

论现行刑事技术管理体制存在的问题及改革构想

目前,我国的刑事技术和管理体制之间存在着运行规律和管理职能、市场与计划之间的矛盾,且缺乏统一运作的长效机制,因而,必须对我国的刑事科学技术管理体制进行改革,建立新型的刑事科学技术管理体制。具体来说,则应加强纯粹的刑事技术部门之间的联系,积极创建市场运行机制,合理分配资源。     

浅析铁路货盗案件作案手段的新特点及对策

在铁路货盗案件中 ,犯罪分子的作案手段也在不断地变化 :(1)选择目标准确 ,吊打车门的“智能化” ;(2 )采用技术手法 ,迫使列车慢行或停车 ;(3)内定联系暗号 ,掀盗货物的“专业化” ;(4)作案联络及运赃工具的“现代化”。如何发挥刑事技术在侦破货盗案件中的作用 ,成为摆在技术人员面前的重要课题。本文从铁路货盗犯罪作案手段的新特点和技术工作对策两方面进行了探讨。     

DNA分析与种属鉴定

种属鉴定在法医学实践中占有重要地位。现行用于法医学种属鉴定的方法主要有形态学、血清学和DNA分析技术。本文就种属鉴定的技术发展以及各种技术的优缺点做一比较,重点讨论了DNA分析技术在种属鉴定中的应用价值。     

对于文学批评的批评

当前文学批评界流行的"捧杀"、"棒杀"、"酷评",以及急功近利的浮躁心态等现象,与独立、批评、建设的文学批评精神是相违背的。这些现象的存在,使当代文学批评渐渐远离了文学,远离了社会和大众,对于代文学批评理论的建设是不利的,应该给予纠正。