The changes of fourier transform infrared spectrum in rat brain

Estimation of the time since death (postmortem interval [PMI]) is one of the most difficult problems in forensic investigations, and many methods currently are utilized to estimate the PMI. The goal of this study was to investigate the changes of attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectra of rat brain from postmortem time 0-144 h. The intensity ratios of major absorbance bands were examined (I(1066)/I(1392), I(1168)/I(1392), I(1234)/I(1454), I(1301)/I(1392), I(1647)/I(2956), I(2921)/I(2850), and I(1647)/I(1539)). The spectra of rat brain displayed prominent changes with increasing PMI. The band at 2871 and 1737 per cm became weak with the time increasing and even disappeared at postmortem 96 and 72 h, respectively. A close linear correlation was shown between the relative absorption intensity and the PMI, and the I(1234) /I(1454) offered a stronger correlation (r = 0.973). Our results indicate that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy may be a useful technique for estimating the PMI.     

Sex determination from the talus of Koreans by discriminant function analysis

The aims of this study were to investigate the sex discriminating potential of the talus in Koreans and compare this with other analyses in different populations. Statistical analyses were performed using data from nine measurements acquired from 140 tali (70 men, 70 women). The talus of Koreans is dimorphic between sexes in all measurements (p < 0.01). Discriminant function equations were generated by univariate, multivariate, and stepwise methods with a range of accuracy from 67.1 to 87.1%. Stepwise equations of other populations did not discriminate the sex of the Korean sample as accurately as each equation's own accuracies. The variables with high accuracy in this study are useful for sex determination of Koreans on the basis of confirmation of population specificity.     

Animal-related fatalities--part II: characteristic autopsy findings and variable causes of death associated with envenomation, poisoning, anaphylaxis, asphyxiation, and sepsis

In addition to blunt and sharp trauma, animal-related fatalities may result from envenomation, poisoning, anaphylaxis, asphyxiation, and sepsis. Although the majority of envenomation deaths are caused by hornets, bees, and wasps, the mechanism of death is most often anaphylaxis. Envenomation resulting from the injection of a poison or toxin into a victim occurs with snakes, spiders, and scorpions on land. Marine animal envenomation may result from stings and bites from jellyfish, octopus, stonefish, cone fish, stingrays, and sea snakes. At autopsy, the findings may be extremely subtle, and so a history of exposure is required. Poisoning may also occur from ingesting certain fish, with three main forms of neurotoxin poisoning involving ciguatera, tetrodotoxin ingestion, and paralytic shellfish poisoning. Asphyxiation may follow upper airway occlusion or neck/chest compression by animals, and sepsis may follow bites. Autopsy analysis of cases requires extensive toxinological, toxicological, and biochemical analyses of body fluids.     

The transfer of touch DNA from hands to glass, fabric and wood

The transfer of DNA from hands to objects by holding or touching has been examined in the past. The main purpose of this study was to examine the variation in the amount of DNA transferred from hands to glass, fabric and wood. The study involved 300 volunteers (100 for glass, 100 for fabric and 100 for wood) 50% of which were male and 50% female. The volunteers held the material for 60 s. The DNA was recovered from the objects using a minitape lift, quantified using the Quantifiler kit assay, extracted using a ‘Qiagen^® QIAamp DNA mini kit’ and amplified using the AmpFlSTR^® SGM Plus™ Amplification Kit at 28 cycles. The results show that using ANOVA there was a significant difference (F = 8.2, p < 0.05) between the three object types in the amount of DNA recovered. In terms of DNA transfer and recovery, wood gave the best yield, followed by fabric and then glass. The likelihood of success of obtaining a profile indicative of the holder was approximately 9% for glass samples, 23% for fabric and 36% for wood. There was no significant difference between the amount of DNA transferred by male or female volunteers. In this study good shedder status, as defined by obtaining useful profiles of 6 or more alleles, is estimated at approximately 22% of the population. The phenomenon of secondary transfer was observed when mixed DNA profiles were obtained but the incidence was low at approximately 10% of the total number of samples. DNA profiles corresponding to more than one person were found on objects which had been touched by only one volunteer. Although secondary transfer is possible the profiles obtained from touched objects are more likely to be as a result of primary transfer rather than a secondary source.     

法证科学领域的决策

随着法证DNA证据以及它所适用的概率模型日益凸显,反映了传统法证科学的局限性,并使人们对法证科学领域的决策产生了越来越多的质疑,焦点集中在对结论的解读方式和实际运用。分析表明,科学证据的本质不是绝对性或确定性的,而是概率性的;同时,事实审判者需要基于这些概率性的证据对事实作出明确的决定。因此,对于法证科学领域的决策,应当是专家在一系列归纳得出的特定假设基础上,就研究结果的概率进行恰当的报告,由事实审判者承担对概率作出决断的任务。     

植物SSR标记的研究现状及其在法庭科学中的应用

随着SSR分子标记技术的深入研究,其在植物遗传多样性分析、种属鉴定、个体识别中得到越来越广泛的应用。本文就植物SSR分子标记技术的特性、发展、研究现状进行综述,并探讨其在法庭科学中的应用前景,旨在为法庭科学和相关学科中的应用和相关领域中的研究提供参考。     

用Y-STR单倍型推断男性个体来源的分析

目的 利用17个Y-STR单倍型数据,推断分析浙江绍兴地区男性个体来源,为Y-STR数据库的建设与应用提供依据.方法 采集绍兴地区6县(市)区,104个镇(乡),1240个村的138个姓氏家族的7384份男性个体血样.采用YfilerTM复合扩增试剂盒进行17个Y-STR分型,所得数据进行县(市/区)/镇(乡/街道)/村/姓氏的组合和县(市/区)/镇(乡/街道)/村/姓氏/单倍型组合分布情况统计分析.结果 在7384份男性样本中,获得2 486种县(市/区)/镇(乡/街道)/村/姓氏组合,4957种县(市/区)/镇(乡/街道)/村/姓氏/单倍型组合,3149种Y-STR单倍型.其单倍型出现的次数从1至52次不等,其中仅出现1次的有2 471种(78.47％).对出现频率为17～ 52次的单倍型数据进行姓氏分析,发现平均有71.0％ (42.9％ ～87.5％)的人员来自同一姓氏,且在地域上多数为相邻镇或村的同姓人员.结论 利用Yfiler系统的17个Y-STR基因座单倍型数据,可以推断浙江绍兴地区男性个体的地域或姓氏来源.     

自然法抑或实证法——理性与意志视野下的美国宪法

在看待美国宪法观念中,一种观念将美国宪法视为自然法或高级法的摹本,认为美国宪法的特征在于人类凭借理性发现和宣布了自然法或高级法;另一种观念则将美国宪法视为纯粹的人民主权的意志表达。这两种观念都存在一定的曲解:美国宪法其实和古典自然法之间存在着巨大的断裂,是一种现代自然权利体系之下的人为宪法,但这种宪法并不是未经筛选的人民意志的表达,而是理性引导之下的意志表达。美国宪法的这种特征要求当代的法律人政治家既不能神话宪法,也不能轻视宪法,而是要求将宪法视为政治科学的教材,通过理解与对话来提升理性,从而思考宪法在当代的挑战。     

中国法文化传统与现代法治

中国传统社会未将自由与权利概念化并不意味着中国古人无自由与权利。中国传统法律制度在整体上应当被改造、被置换,但并不意味着古人积累的技术智慧与程序艺术不可被承继,更不意味着支撑法文化传统的基于人性又反映中国文化特质的原则可以被抛弃。中国文化传统仍然是我们探讨中国现代法治的逻辑起点。     

法医毒物鉴定的发展及其问题分析

文章阐述了法医毒物鉴定在对象种类、适用检材、技术方法、应用领域和结果运用方面的发展趋势,分析了现阶段我国毒物鉴定实验室在规范建设、鉴定能力、技术系统和质量控制中存在的问题和缺陷,提出要通过加强鉴定机构及鉴定人的准入控制,建设一支高资质、高水平的队伍;通过执业监管、认证认可、水平测试和质量评估,保障毒物鉴定结果的可靠、准确.