Subjectivity and bias in forensic DNA mixture interpretation

The objectivity of forensic science decision making has received increased attention and scrutiny. However, there are only a few published studies experimentally addressing the potential for contextual bias. Because of the esteem of DNA evidence, it is important to study and assess the impact of subjectivity and bias on DNA mixture interpretation. The study reported here presents empirical data suggesting that DNA mixture interpretation is subjective. When 17 North American expert DNA examiners were asked for their interpretation of data from an adjudicated criminal case in that jurisdiction, they produced inconsistent interpretations. Furthermore, the majority of 'context free' experts disagreed with the laboratory's pre-trial conclusions, suggesting that the extraneous context of the criminal case may have influenced the interpretation of the DNA evidence, thereby showing a biasing effect of contextual information in DNA mixture interpretation.     

科学的“人”学——马克思哲学的完整视域与本质特征

马克思"人"学之科学性在于其"现实性",这种"现实性"是在立基于"实践"的思考中、在对各种"关系"的反思中,亦即在对"现实的个人"及其"现实的发展"的关注中历史地生成的。只有始终保持与社会现实的亲和性,才能提高马克思哲学的解释力与有效性,使其真正成为实现个人与社会全面发展的思想武器。     

人与自然的双重解放——福斯特生态学马克思主义理论评析

福斯特的生态学马克思主义以符合时代特征的生态范式重新解读历史唯物主义理论,建立起马克思主义和现代生态学之间的有机联系;借助"马克思的物质变换断裂"理论所完成的对十九世纪资本主义的生态批判以及通过揭示当代资本主义化解生态危机的经济学路径和技术路径的虚伪性和不可能性,指出资本主义制度的反生态本性;强调消解生态危机的出路与社会主义前景密不可分,希冀引导生态运动等新社会运动转向社会主义变革道路,最终实现人与自然的双重解放。在找寻社会变革的现实力量方面,福斯特的理论都还处在探索阶段,有待进一步地深化与完善。     

人权保护视野下的侦查理念

侦查理念是人们对如何开展、怎样开展侦查活动的认识结晶。侦查理念指导侦查机关的侦查活动,是侦查机关依法行使侦查权力、办理刑事案件的行动指南。当前树立人权保护的侦查理念并让其转化为侦查机关的自觉行动是十分必要的。我们要树立正确的权力观念,正确行使权力,要对一切合法的权利给予同等的尊重和维护。     

基于胜任力的公安人力资源管理模式研究

随着所处内外环境的变化,目前公安机关所采用的基于工作分析、职位分类的公安人力资源管理固有的缺陷逐渐显现出来,需要构建新的人力资源管理模式。美国的著名心理学家麦克利兰提出的胜任力理论,为构建基于胜任力的人力资源管理模式提供了新的视角。在对胜任力理论进行简要综述的基础上,对基于胜任力的公安人力资源规划、基于胜任力的绩效管理、基于胜任力的公安人力资源培训与开发等进行了较为详细的阐述,指出了应用范围和基础,构建了一个基于胜任力的公安人力资源管理新模式。     

人性视野下思想政治教育的反思

人有自然人性和社会人性两种属性。自然人性先天形成，社会人性后天习得，是人特殊本质的反映。传统思想政治教育过于偏重社会人性，忽略自然人性。遵循人性规律开展思想政治教育，就要双管齐下，既要重视社会人性，也要挖掘自然人性孕育的巨大能量。     

跨国公司人权责任的规制及其反思

在追究跨国公司的国际人权责任方面，目前主要有三种规制方式：国家对跨国公司的管制；来自非政府组织和其他国际组织的监督以及跨国公司的自律。但这些途径尚不足以成为跨国公司承担人权责任的有效保障．因而必须采取措施强化跨国公司国际人权责任的规制。     

Comparison of five DNA quantification methods

Six commercial preparations of human genomic DNA were quantified using five quantification methods: UV spectrometry, SYBR-Green dye staining, slot blot hybridization with the probe D17Z1, Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit and RB1 rt-PCR. All methods measured higher DNA concentrations than expected based on the information by the manufacturers. UV spectrometry, SYBR-Green dye staining, slot blot and RB1 rt-PCR gave 39, 27, 11 and 12%, respectively, higher concentrations than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. The DNA preparations were quantified using the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit in two experiments. The measured DNA concentrations with Quantifiler were 125 and 160% higher than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. When the Quantifiler™ human DNA standard (Raji cell line) was replaced by the commercial human DNA preparation G147A (Promega) to generate the DNA standard curve in the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit, the DNA quantification results of the human DNA preparations were 31% higher than expected based on the manufacturers’ information. The results indicate a calibration problem with the Quantifiler™ human DNA standard for its use with the Quantifiler™ Human DNA Quantification kit. The possible reasons for the problem are discussed and a solution is suggested. The results emphasise the need for standard reference DNA material and standard methods for DNA quantification.     

… and still we are left wanting: Malta's White Paper on digital rights

CLSR welcomes occasional comment pieces on issues of current importance in the law and technology field from different jurisdictions. In this instance the Government of Malta published a White Paper in October 2012 for public consultation, proposing the introduction of the following four so-called “digital rights” in the Constitution of Malta: (1) the right to Internet access; (2) the right to informational access; (3) the right to informational freedom and (4) the right to digital informational self-determination. The author believes that the proposal is indeed a step in the right direction but lacks punch where it matters most and does not go far enough.     

人权概念的文化属性

人权概念的产生是三种要素即斯多葛派“一般人”的观念、古罗马的权利概念和基督教二元政治观的长期演变和融合的结果，具有三个与其文化传统相联系的特性即西方中心主义、个人主义和它本身就是特权。人权概念的这些要素和特性决定了它必然具有文化属性，带有强烈的、无法抹除的文化印记，因而无法超越其固有的文化传统。