A validation study of mRNA markers for skin cell identification

The objectives of this study were to develop and optimize a multiplex of three skin specific gene markers; loricrin (LOR), corneodesmosin (CDSN) and keratin 9 (KRT9) and 1 house-keeping marker, β-actin (ACTB) using an endpoint PCR assay to analyze expression data from a range of relevant samples. Marker specificity and suitability were evaluated for their inclusion in future forensic casework. The presence of the three skin mRNA markers was successfully confirmed from swabs of human skin obtained from 20 individuals at each of 6 different body sites (forehead, neck, arm, palm, leg and sole). Significant variation was observed in the relative expression of the three genes across the body sites, with some individuals consistently failing to express one or more of the targets. Inter-individual variation was also evident. Accordingly, these markers must be used with caution in the identification of skin in forensic samples.     

Monte-Carlo Filesystem Search – A crawl strategy for digital forensics

Criminal investigations invariably involve the triage or cursory examination of relevant electronic media for evidentiary value. Legislative restrictions and operational considerations can result in investigators having minimal time and resources to establish such relevance, particularly in situations where a person is in custody and awaiting interview. Traditional uninformed search methods can be slow, and informed search techniques are very sensitive to the search heuristic's quality. This research introduces Monte-Carlo Filesystem Search, an efficient crawl strategy designed to assist investigators by identifying known materials of interest in minimum time, particularly in bandwidth constrained environments. This is achieved by leveraging random selection with non-binary scoring to ensure robustness. The algorithm is then expanded with the integration of domain knowledge. A rigorous and extensive training and testing regime conducted using electronic media seized during investigations into online child exploitation proves the efficacy of this approach.     

The ageing of bruises: A review and study of the colour changes with time

This work was inspired by a recent case of child abuse where the question of the age of the bruises on the body was raised. The first part of this paper reviews published work on bruises. It illustrates the paucity of work in this field and the absence of studies of the colour changes in bruises of human skin with time. The second part of this paper consists of our own study of the appearance of bruises. The aim was to identify the colour changes which occur in bruises and over what time-scale, in order to determine whether bruises can be aged by appearance. A total of 369 photographs were obtained of bruises aged <6 h and up to 21 days old, in 89 subjects aged 10–100 years. It was found that the development of a yellow colour was the most significant change (subjects aged <65, P < 0.001; subjects aged ≥65 years, P < 0.001). The development of a yellow colour occurred significantly faster in subjects aged < 65 years. (P < 0.001). The appearance of a blue and purple/black colour was of lesser significance. The appearance of a red colour did not alter significantly with time. From this study it was only possible to conclude that a bruise with a yellow colour was more than 18 h old.     

兔皮肤钝器伤IL-1β、COX-2和MCP-1 mRNA表达与法医学应用

目的应用荧光定量PCR技术检测兔皮肤钝器伤后IL-1β、COX-2和MCP-1mRNA的时序性表达规律,分析其与损伤时间的关系。方法分别在兔耳皮肤钝器伤后<0.5h,0.5h,1h,2h,3h,4h,5h,6h,8h,12h,24h,1d,3d,7d和死后10min,0.5h,1h取材,一步法提取组织总RNA,逆转录合成cDNA第一条链,荧光定量PCR检测IL-1β、COX-2和MCP-1mRNA逆转录合成第一条cDNA链的拷贝数,作统计学分析。结果IL-1βmRNA在钝器伤后<0.5h表达显著增强(P<0.001),0.5h达到峰值,至第2d降至基本水平;COX-2mRNA于创伤后0.5h表达显著增强(P<0.05)并持续强表达至24h开始下降,第2d降至正常;MCP-1 mRNA在钝器伤后于1h表达显著增强(P<0.05),于3h出现表达峰,至第3d降至正常;3个指标在死后各时间组与正常对照无明显表达差异。结论检测皮肤IL-1β、COX-2和MCP-1mRNA可对早期损伤时间的推断提供帮助,并且这三个指标都可以鉴别生前伤和死后伤。     

对国外证人拒绝作证权的法律探究

证人拒绝作证制度在英美法系国家被称为证人特权规则 ,是外国证据法中一个法治原则的体现。文章通过对外国证人特权规则适用的主体范围、特权规则内容的对比、总结 ,探讨在中国当前增设证人拒绝作证制度的意义。     

An Objective Measure of Splitting in Parental Alienation: The Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire

Both clinicians and forensic practitioners should distinguish parental alienation (rejection of a parent without legitimate justification) from other reasons for contact refusal. Alienated children—who were not abused—often engage in splitting and lack ambivalence with respect to the rejected parent; children who were maltreated usually perceive the abusive parent in an ambivalent manner. The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of the Parental Acceptance–Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) in identifying and quantifying the degree of splitting, which may assist in diagnosing parental alienation. Results showed that severely alienated children engaged in a high level of splitting, by perceiving the preferred parent in extremely positive terms and the rejected parent in extremely negative terms. Splitting was not manifested by the children in other family groups. The PARQ may be useful for both clinicians and forensic practitioners in evaluating children of divorced parents when there is a concern about the possible diagnosis of parental alienation.     

论证明妨碍法律效果之择定——以文书提出妨碍为例

证明妨碍之构成以相对人负有相应之义务为其逻辑基点,提出义务产生于诉讼提起之时,而保存义务则始于诉讼可＂合理预期＂之际。基于救济、惩罚和阻却等三大功能目标,并充分考量证明妨碍行为本身所呈现出的三种不同样态,在择定其法律效果时,可考虑推定文书之内容为真、拟制文书之应证事实为真、罚款或强制交付和提起独立之诉等不同路径的选择适用,从而为最大限度地回复当事人之公平,实现当事人之平等接近事证,提供多重救济路径。     

正交设计在实时定量PCR检测条件优化中的应用

目的探索正交设计在实时定量PCR检测条件优化中的应用，找出扩增ICAM-1基因的最佳条件。方法建立大鼠皮肤损伤模型，采用正交设计实时定量PCR的各影响条件，提取损伤处皮肤组织总RNA反转录成cDNA，cDNA作为模板，通过特异性引物扩增ICAM-1基因。对扩增曲线和融解曲线制定评分标准，量化不同实验条件下的扩增结果并进行统计分析。结果退火温度、模板量和引物浓度直接影响扩增效果，但三因素间无相互作用。结果经统计学分析表明退火温度61℃、模板cDNA用量0．4μg和引物终浓度150μmol／L为实时定量PCR检测ICAM-1基因的最佳条件组合。结论正交设计是一种切实可行、快速经济的实时定量PCR检测条件优化方法。     

气功对经络系统的平衡调节作用

The unbalance levels (UL) and the deviation levels (DL)of the 72 cases'' skin resistance for the three Yin and three Yang meridians of upper limbs were examined and analysed simulaneously by jinluo unbalance instrument ( JUI). The results as follows, after Qigong, variety of conscious symptoms of the cases take a evident turn for the improvement. The UL of Pericardium Meridian ( P相似文献