Utilizing a magnetic locator to search for buried firearms and miscellaneous weapons at a controlled research site

Forensic personnel generally use basic all-metal detectors for weapon searches because of their ease of use and cost efficiency. For ferromagnetic targets, an alternative easy to use and low-cost geophysical tool is a magnetic locator. The following study was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of a common, commercially available magnetic locator in forensic weapon searches by determining the maximum depth of detection for 32 metallic forensic targets and testing the effects of metallic composition on detection. Maximum depth of detection was determined for 16 decommissioned street-level firearms, six pieces of assorted scrap metals, and 10 blunt or bladed weapons by burying each target at 5-cm intervals until the weapons were no longer detected. As expected, only ferromagnetic items were detected; weapons containing both ferromagnetic and nonferromagnetic components were generally detected to shallower depths. Overall, the magnetic locator can be a useful addition to weapon searches involving buried ferromagnetic weapons.     

The Google conundrum: Perpetrator or facilitator on the net? – Forging a fair copyright framework of rights, liability and responsibility in response to search engine 2.0 – Part I: The Google Images Search Engine

Is Google in its quest for search engine optimization through the creation of new technologies, which not only improves its search algorithms but also refines its search functions for users, doing it in a manner that makes it a perpetrator of primary copyright infringement or an invaluable facilitator for Internet functionality? How should the balance of interests in the treatment of creative works be recalibrated in the face of changes in search engine technology and operations, and the disputes that have arisen within the last decade in the context of the digital age and its needs? Using Google as a case study, this paper will look at the two main areas of dispute over the operations of information locator tools and services that either threatens search engine functionality and efficiency or weakens copyright holders’ exclusive rights. It proposes a concerted set of solutions through a reassessment and amendment of copyright law to optimize the social benefits and objectives of both the copyright regime and technological innovations in the electronic model of information archiving, indexing and delivery. A fair distribution of responsibilities and allocation of rights and liabilities will be suggested. In the process, due consideration will be given to both public and private interests, with the former taking precedence; while the recommended solutions will be made within the currently outdated framework for Internet intermediary protection (i.e. safe harbor laws) and exceptions (i.e. specific statutory exemptions and the general fair use defense) under the existing copyright regime. Thus, the proposed changes will be far reaching without being too radical a departure from current law, an evolution that will likely be more acceptable and realistic a solution to the problem.This paper is published in two parts. Part One of this paper will deal with the challenges to the copyright regime posed by the operations and technology behind the Google Images Search Engine, while Part Two that will be published in the subsequent edition of the CLSR will assess the benefits of the Google Books Search Project vis-à-vis the effects it will have on the scope of copyright protection. Recommendations are made to copyright law to accommodate both functions while generally preserving the main objectives of copyright protection.     

基于工作搜寻理论的大学毕业生就业问题研究

本文通过对首都经济贸易大学2009年应届大学毕业生的问卷调查,分析了高校毕业生在就业过程中的工作搜寻途径、就业信息获取评价、就业歧视等问题,最后提出促进大学生就业的对策和建议。     

盘查程序与相对人的协助义务

盘查是在宪法规定的迁徙自由的情境下产生的一种警察应对措施。赋予警察盘查权,实现了从＂静态执法＂向＂动态执法＂的转变,增加了警察执法的机动性、灵活性和应变能力,适应了由计划经济向市场经济转轨之后社会治安形势发生的变化与要求。对盘查的控制,主要通过程序来完成。这是盘查的随机性、及时性、合成性等属性使然。一方面,要充分发挥程序对相对人权益的保障作用,另一方面,程序也不能过于繁琐、影响行政效率。而对于相对人的协助义务,无论是国内还是国外尚无定论,是亟待理论进一步回应、有待实践努力解决的一个重要问题。     

电子证据在刑事诉讼中的收集与认证

基于计算机和互联网的犯罪案件急剧增长,由此形成的电子证据给诉讼中的证明提出了挑战。刑诉法修正案将电子证据增加为一种证据种类,但是,电子证据的收集与认证与传统证据既有相同之处又存在着很多的不同。电子证据的保护、搜查扣押、实时收集与鉴证等是传统调查方式无法取代的,也不能完全使用传统方法进行。依靠电子证据定案既要追求客观真相、依靠科学的证明,又要遵循既定的程序性规则,从而对电子证据的证明能力和证明力进行判断。     

论网络隐私权保护的现实困境及决策应对

随着《侵权责任法》被列为2009年重点立法项目,网络隐私权保护的问题再次摆在了立法者的面前。有效保护公民的网络隐私权,需要法律法规、主管部门规定、伦理道德等外在因素予以支持,同时也需要网络用户和网络服务提供者等网络活动参与者的配合。针对保护网络隐私权遭遇的现实困境,我国保护措施的不足,应从侵权责任主体出发,从他律、道德内化以及自律三方面进行突破,寻求解决路径。     

论同意搜查制度

作为一种无令状搜查,同意搜查由于缺乏事前的司法审查,侦查人员极易利用其启动的宽松条件规避法律的限制,在司法监督缺位的情况下侵犯公民的基本权利。因此,须确立并完善适合中国国情的同意搜查制度。     

搜索引擎的法律治理——以表达自由和知情权为视角

为迎合自己的使用群体,搜索引擎服务商会对搜索内容做一些编辑和调整,这些编辑和调整会对某些内容产生系统化的偏好,于是产生了＂搜索引擎偏见＂（Search Engine Bias）现象。＂搜索引擎偏见＂有其存在的现实合理性,但是不当的＂偏见＂能够干扰互联网环境下的表达自由并侵犯公众知情权,给社会带来负面影响,因此有必要采取适宜的法律治理措施规范搜索引擎市场。     

论我国刑事附带搜查制度的重构——以美国法为参照的分析

刑事附带搜查,是指执法者在执行拘留、逮捕等强制措施之时,基于“保护执法人员及其他相关人员安全”和“避免证据毁损或灭失”的目的,搜查被追诉者的无令状搜查制度。构建我国真正的附带搜查制度,必须将其与有证搜查、紧急搜查区分开;立法应当明确规定附带搜查启动的具体要件,严格限定附带搜查的实施范围,完善对违法附带搜查的救济措施的规定。     

What Drives the Selection of Political Information on Google? Tension Between Ideal Democracy and the Influence of Ranking

The emergence of the Internet has altered how individuals obtain information—this also applies to political information. Search engines have taken over the role of political information gatekeepers, thus becoming key players in democracy. However, surprisingly little is known about the role of search engines in the political information process, that is, whether they represent an opportunity or a threat to democracy. Through an online survey experiment, which mimicked a Google web interface, this study examines how Swiss citizens select political information on a political news event from a Google search results page. Although citizens consider textual cues from snippets, they are more likely to select sources of information from the top of a Google results page, regardless of the source. We discuss these findings from a democratic theory perspective.