Identification of a Carbonized Body Using Implanted Surgical Plates: The Importance of Computed Tomography

In addition to clinical examination, forensic odontologists can use diagnostic imaging as an auxiliary method for identification. This paper reports a case where forensic odontologists from the Afrânio Peixoto Legal Medicine Institute in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) positively identified a carbonized and partially calcined body using oral and maxillofacial imaging. The cadaver showed several metallic plates fixed with metallic screws on bones of the neurocranium and viscerocranium. Family members provided spiral computed tomography scans of the skull and a panoramic radiograph that were acquired after an accident that required surgical procedures. Comparative analysis between the clinical exam and the maxillofacial images demonstrated complete coincidence, confirming the victim's identity. Dactyloscopy, which is the most commonly used method of identification, was not possible because of the body carbonization. Thus, diagnostic imaging, especially computed tomography, was essential for elucidation of this case.     

Comparison of the Performance of Two Methods for Height Estimation

Abstract: In the case study, two methods of performing body height measurements in images are compared based on projective geometry and 3D modeling of the crime scene. Accuracy and stability of height estimations are tested using reconstruction images of test persons of known height. Given unchanged camera settings, predictions of both methods are accurate. However, as the camera had been moved in the case, new vanishing points and camera matches had to be created for the reconstruction images. 3D modeling still yielded accurate and stable estimations. Projective geometry produced incorrect predictions for test persons and unstable intervals for questioned persons. The latter is probably caused by the straight lines in the field of view being hard to discern. With the quality of material presented, which is representative for our case practice, using vanishing points may thus yield unstable results. The results underline the importance of performing validation experiments in casework.     

Stature and Body Weight Estimation from Various Footprint Measurements Among Egyptian Population

Abstract: Analysis of footprints can reveal very important clues which can be used as a forensic evidence and help in the estimation of stature and body weight of an individual. In this work, bilateral footprints were obtained from 50 male Egyptian medical students ranging in age between 18 and 25. Nine measurements were taken on each footprint. The result revealed significant bilateral asymmetry (p < 0.001) except foot breadth at ball. The significant and positive highest correlation coefficients with stature were shown by toe‐5 length on right side (R = 0.58) and with body weight by foot breadth at ball on left side (R = ?0.52). Regression equations presented smaller standard errors of estimate (3.52–4.69) in determination of stature than those in estimation of body weight (4.05–5.28). In conclusion, this study has provided equations that help to estimate stature and body weight from footprint measurements among Egyptians.     

跨国合作：全球化视阈下食品安全治理的新构想

食品安全是关系到整个人类生存与发展的严峻问题,已成为各国政府和人民共同关注的焦点。经济全球化使得食品安全成为全球性问题,各合作治理主体加强合作,采取协调行动,实施跨国合作治理是解决该世界难题的有效之策。     

行政主体理论的检视与重构

行政主体理论是行政法体系的基石,对行政诉讼的司法实践起着重要的指导作用,但由于行政主体理论存在着诸多现实问题,因此通过对行政主体理论的检视,剥离行政主体与行政诉讼被告确认的逻辑关系、把非政府公共组织纳入行政主体的类型是进一步重构行政主体理论的必要之举。     

7146名城市青少年肥胖、超重和体瘦者的年龄推测

目的观察城市青少年肥胖、超重和体瘦者的骨发育特征。方法以《中国人手腕骨发育标准-中华05》RUS-CHN法对5城市7146名(男3986,女3160)12～18岁汉族正常青少年手腕部X线片骨龄进行评价,计算各骨龄组的体重指数(BMI),BMI第85百分位数的受试者分类为肥胖和超重,BMI第15百分位数者分类为体瘦,观察骨龄减年龄差值。结果肥胖、超重青少年偏向发育提前,骨龄减年龄差值分布的下限在-1岁;体瘦青少年偏向于发育延迟,骨龄减年龄差值分布的上限在+1岁。结论应用BMI,肥胖、超重和体瘦青少年的年龄推测范围可能缩小。     

食品安全监管主体的模式转换与法治化

近年来食品安全形势严峻,导致各国食品安全监管体制改革,我国政府同样在努力探索有效的食品安全监管模式。采取独立监管模式和社会性监管模式是近年来各国改革的趋势,我国应当加以借鉴。我国食品安全监管机构职权设定、变更应当法治化,为此需要健全我国的行政组织法。     

民法视角下的不同性别选择阶段的法益分析

性别选择得以产生不是因为生物性别的先天差异,而是缘于社会制度对性别的不平等对待.人的性别专属于自然人,属身体权保护的客体.针对不同的性别选择阶段,分别从选择主体的资格认定、风险责任的承担,生育知情与性别知情的辨别及选择目的的规范等方面进行分析,法律应通过立法技术的完善和法律位阶的提高把对性别选择的立法宗旨限定在为人类疾病控制和生命健康的维护范围内,以实现人与自然、人类自然性别的和谐发展.     

Evaluation of two DNA/RNA co-extraction methods for body fluid identification in forensics

Body fluid identification has become a field of interest in forensic casework as it can add value to particular investigative scenarios. Identifying the source of the biological material is not always an upfront task using conventional methods; therefore, profiling of specific mRNA markers can provide the answer. The implementation of RNA based analyses in forensic casework must focus on the quality and sensitivity of methods, starting with nucleic acid extraction, and without loss of DNA for STR profiling. In this work, two methods for DNA and RNA co-extraction were tested and compared: a commercial kit that uses a spin, mini column methodology, and a quick, simple nucleic acid isopropanol precipitation based protocol. Both methods simultaneously extract DNA and RNA, crucial for forensic casework and were tested in semen samples. Nucleic acid quantifications as well as purity assessment ratios (OD₂₆₀/OD₂₃₀ and OD₂₆₀/OD₂₈₀) were obtained by both methods to infer on the use of extracts in downstream applications such as PCR. The performance of the two tested protocols was further evaluated by analyzing two semen mRNA specific markers, PRM1 and SEMG1. When compared to the commercially developed kit, results suggest that the literature adapted protocol allowed more carryover of contaminants absorbing at 230 nm and 280 nm as the purity ratios were below the accepted standard ranges. Negative results for mRNA profiling supported the QC results obtained by spectrophotometry. On the hand, PRM1 and SEGM1 were positive in RNA samples extracted with the commercial kit.