A quantitative assessment of the extent and distribution of textile fibre transfer to persons involved in physical assault

Knowledge of the number of fibres transferred during a particular activity is essential for the interpretation of findings in similar criminal cases. In this regard, violent contacts and physical assaults still present a challenge, due to a lack of robust published data. Hereby, we present the outcome of an empirical study where different assault activities were simulated by a Jiu Jitsu team and participants were asked to play either the role of an aggressive ‘assailant’ or a defensive ‘victim’, wearing cotton garments (i.e., Gi’s). Four different scenarios were simulated in replicates (n = 5), each of them involving different intensity levels (low and high) and duration times (30 and 60 s). Results showed that approximately 1,000 to 44,000 fibres were cross-transferred between the participants’ garments, with noticeable differences between the different scenarios. These values were significantly larger than those published in previous studies and, therefore, suggested the possibility of a current underestimation of the number of fibres transferred in physical assaults. Furthermore, statistical analysis by ANOVA indicated that the all the variables tested (i.e., intensity level, duration time, and participants role) had a significant effect on the number of transferred fibres (p < 0.001) and, consequently, that some knowledge of the case circumstances may be important to make more educated estimations. This is the first time that such a methodology has been applied for the quantitative assessment of fibre transfer between participants in assault activities. Data are expected to help practitioners with the interpretation of findings in real casework and lead to a more robust evidential assessment.     

South Africa and Namibia: Aspects of a relationship,historical and contemporary

South Africa occupied Namibia for 75 years. After that occupation ended in 1990, numerous ties between the two countries continued to exist and their economies are still intertwined more than 25 years later. In both countries the liberation movements that fought apartheid and then came to power are still in power. This might suggest that the relationship between the two countries would be a particularly close one. When the leaders of the two countries meet, as they regularly do, they speak of fraternal relations and point to ways in which the two countries are working together to enhance co-operation and regional integration. However, the relationship is a very unequal one, and the small state of Namibia retains suspicions of the regional hegemon, suspicions that have a long history. Areas of tension between the two states therefore remain. This paper considers aspects of their bilateral relations, within the multilateral contexts of the Southern African Customs Union and the Southern African Development Community.     

Management and safety of a medical mission: occupational hazards of volunteering

Medical aid missions involve travel to conflict or danger zones, posing safety risks in addition to the usual occupational risks arising from daily medical work. The note reports on a volunteer mission, using personal reports, anecdotal experiences, and the formal annual report to undertake an assessment similar to worksite assessments for hazards and control measures. Hazards were found to be prevalent, including physical noise and heat, infectious exposure from patients and local vectors, poor water sanitation, and psychosocial stress from unfamiliar environments and large patient numbers with limited means. Implementable preventative measures include increasing awareness with appropriate protective equipment usage and safety guidelines. Mission planning and management should also involve occupational health input.     

The role of the IFI and the EU Peace III Fund in creating sustainable peace in Northern Ireland and the border counties

NGOs aided by external economic aid can play a critical part in post-accord peacebuilding situations. This article explores the impact of the International Fund for Ireland and the European Union Peace III Fund in nurturing sustainable peace through development in Northern Ireland and the border counties of the Republic of Ireland by examining the perceptions and experiences of 107 local NGO leaders and 13 funding agency development officers. During the summer of 2010, 120 people were interviewed using semi-structured interviews in Derry city and nine border counties. The article explores the role of external economic international assistance aids in building sustainable development, reconciliation, and peace in Northern Ireland and the border counties.     

Reflections of an evaluator navigating between community development and welfare paradigms

This practical note discusses some of the challenges evaluators face when their values clash with those of their employer. A case example where the author was commissioned to complete an evaluation for a community development project within a welfare-minded NGO highlights evaluation issues for welfare-minded NGOs attempting to deliver community development programmes. A fundamental issue is the differing interpretation of key terms including evaluation, participation, and empowerment. The note discusses how the author attempted to navigate between maintaining community development principles in the evaluation process while at the same time fulfilling quantitative evaluation requirements mandated by the organisation and funders.     

“一带一路”战略下的反腐败刑事司法合作

"一带一路"战略是中国提出的重大战略,其已经成为世界经济增长的"引擎"。经济合作是"一带一路"的战略核心,然而经济合作的重点在基础设施建设、金融合作、货物贸易、能源开发等领域。面对这些领域的经济利益,部分沿线国家法治落后,权力得不到有效制约,导致这些领域很容易产生贪污腐败。由此沿线各国应重点加强联合侦查、证据交换、犯罪引渡、赃款追缴等领域的反腐败刑事司法合作,这对打击腐败行为,确保"一带一路"战略实施尤为关键。     

我国政府公共危机管理问责制的完善——基于矿难行政责任追究的视角

现阶段我国政府公共危机管理的绩效评价工作才刚刚起步,"官员问责"还存在着一些问题。在政府公共危机管理体系中,绩效评价和问责是较为薄弱的一环。从我国近几年发生的六起煤矿特别重大事故行政责任追究结果的分析看,我国政府公共危机管理绩效评价和问责存在的抗拒执法,非法生产;超负荷组织生产;管理混乱,腐败等问题。因此需要借鉴国外政府公共危机管理绩效评价工作的做法,建议应分别从问责目标、问责主体、问责对象、问责内容、问责程序和方法、问责结果的应用等方面完善我国政府公共危机管理问责制。     

清代北京竹枝词评析

清代中晚期的北京,流行着一种语言通俗、七言四句的诗体——竹枝词。这些通俗诗,描述了清代北京的风土民情,记述了清代北京的生活时尚,表现了清王廷由盛而衰的历史变迁。作为非物质文化遗产,成为那个特定时代的文化标记,为我们提供了解读帝都末期城市生活状貌的文本,具有独特的认知价值和审美价值。     

政府与社区协同管理模式——城市社区管理体制变革走势分析

居委会自其建立时始就具有强烈的“剩余性”和“行政赋予性”色彩,它增强了其在经济社会发展历程中职能发展的弹性和行政性发展的倾向,并使其成为企业、政府职责下放的承担者。居委会组织的现行角色与自治组织的定位明显不符引发了基层管理体制的变革要求。虽然在基层管理体制改革的问题上存在基层自治能力弱化、政府在基层缺乏职责承担者、单位社会遗痕影响社区资源整合等问题,但是构建政府管理与社区自治的协作共生机制依然是我们的适当选择。     

中国市场经济法律:进展与评价

我国建立社会主义市场经济是在计划经济的基础上进行的,由此决定了市场经济法律体系的特殊性。目前中国的市场经济法律体系已初步形成,但仍存在不足：如观念尚待更新;企业受到过多的行政管制;市场经济法律体系有待完备,须及早颁行反垄断法、国有资产法、国民经济稳定增长法、计划法等;法律可操作性不够。今后,更重要的将是提高执法水平、严格执法程序、惩治司法腐败。