Electrical Pulse Generated Upon Discharging a Firearm and Its Implication for Gunshot Residue Analysis

Ammunition primers consisting of a mixture of lead styphnate, barium nitrate, and antimony (III) sulfide, upon deflagration, lead to the formation of inorganic gunshot residue (GSR). The cations, from their predeflagration form, undergo reduction reactions during burning to form the classic spheroidal, micron-sized particles indicative of GSR. However, the rapidly changing pressure and temperature of the reaction zone implies that the reactions cannot go to completion. In this study, we use a conductivity detector to show that GSR produces an electrical pulse which corroborates the incomplete redox chemistry. We find that the shape of some GSR formed in an electric field also suggests its nonneutral character. Tantalizingly, the formation of GSR might be a result of Coulombic repulsion shattering the molten droplets in to smaller spheroids. Lastly, we suggest that deposition or transfer of GSR could be influenced by static electricity, an area which should be further studied.     

Comparison of three collection methods for the sodium rhodizonate detection of gunshot residues on hands

The aim of this study was to compare three gunshot residue (GSR) collection methods used in conjunction with chemographic detection applied by different regional Swiss police services. The specimens were collected from the hands of a shooter with either filter paper (Filter method) or adhesive foil. The adhesive foil was then either applied against photographic paper during visualisation (AF Photo method) or coated with a layer of polyvinyl alcohol (AF PVAL method). The experiments involved two conditions of the examined hands, i.e. dry and humidified. The residues were revealed using the sodium rhodizonate test (SRT). Preliminary tests assessing the possibility of conducting a confirmatory Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled to Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analysis after the chemographic test were performed on a number of specimens by cutting positive spots and mounting them on stubs. Obtained results were compared in terms of effectiveness - number of positive spots, time requirements, quality of subsequent SEM-EDX analysis, ease of use and cost.The Filter method generally yielded a high-quality detection with both dry and humidified hands, as well as a simple, quick and efficient confirmation by SEM/EDX. The AF Photo performed well on dry hands, but not on humidified hands. The AF PVAL method performance was lower compared to the other methods in both examined conditions of the hands. The SEM/EDX analysis showed that the Filter and AF PVAL method provided satisfactory results when a sufficient carbon coating thickness was applied to the cuttings. It was also observed that the thinner the PVAL layer, the better the quality of the spectra and obtained images in SEM/EDX. Furthermore, the surface of the photographic paper did not seem to be conductive, even after the application of a thick layer of carbon.In conclusion, the Filter method gave the best overall results, but its application required slightly more time and expertise than the two other methods.     

新《破产法》的制度创新解读及其对商业银行债权的影响

新《破产法》是我国经济体制改革进程中的一部标志性法律，它的出台表明我国的市场经济发展到了一个新阶段。它为债务人、债权人、投资者、职工等主体提供了维护自己权益的法律依据；对商业银行而言，它在维护银行债权的同时也对银行债权带来了一些不利影响。因此，有必要对新《破产法》引进的新制度进行解读，并深入分析这些制度对银行债权的影响，以防范银行贷款风险。     

世行“办理破产”指标分析与我国破产法的改革

从价值论视角诠释世行“办理破产”指标的功能，其具有促进各经济体实施破产法改革、优化营商环境的重要制度价值。从方法论视角解析“办理破产”指标的评价体系，其作为营商环境评估十项指标之一，以2008年Djankov和Hart等人撰写的论文Debt Enforcement around the World所确立的评估方法为基础，主要由债权回收率和破产框架力度指数两部分组成。从比较视角出发，与可比经济体“办理破产”指标相比，我国排名位次靠后，债权回收率低、时间长、成本高，债权追收结果未实现持续经营，破产框架力度指数分值不高。鉴此，从实践论层面展开与评述我国《企业破产法司法解释(三)》的相关改革措施之利弊，提出一系列继续完善破产法实施之建议，如在立法层面，应加快推进中小企业破产重整法律规则的出台；在司法层面，应贯彻实施“利益平衡”原则，平等保护债权人的利益；在行政层面，应大力推进行政权与司法权协作的法治化。     

我国破产犯罪立法及其完善

随着我国社会主义市场经济体制的逐步建立和完善,市场竞争日益加剧,公司、企业等破产现象日渐增多,有关破产犯罪的行为也时有发生。它不仅损害了债权人的合法权益,也破坏了正常的经济交易秩序,将直接导致商业社会应有信任度的降低。目前,我国司法机关对破产犯罪的打击非常有限,完善破产犯罪立法己是刻不容缓。     

实质合并原则在我国关联企业破产中的适用

实质合并原则是基于衡平而创造的一种公平分配破产财产的救济措施。关联企业蓬勃发展的今天,《公司法》和《企业破产法》并没有关于关联企业破产的相关规定,这为我国司法实践增加了难度。我国可采用"例外适用"的价值选择和在《公司法》中设立专章与在《破产法》中规定相关原则的方式来规范实质合并原则在我国关联企业破产中的适用。     

银行破产法理论的现实意义解读

金融全球化的当今社会,无论是经济学家还是法学家,都满怀热情地把目光投向银行破产问题的研究。在现实背景之下诞生的银行破产法理论必将在对银行危机及银行破产制度安排的理解、当今破产运动的发展认识、加强银行破产立法工作以及澄清理论的模糊四个方面产生深远的影响。     

构建我国个人破产制度的法律思考

个人破产制度在保护债权人利益、维护市场经济秩序等方面起到非常积极的作用。它是维护交易安全,贯彻法的公平价值的保障。在我国建立个人破产制度是经济发展和法制建设的必然要求。     

试论我国破产法律制度之完善

破产是市场竞争优胜劣汰的产物。通过破产使劣质资产获得重组,再显生机。我国破产制度还存在缺陷,我们必须完善破产法律制度,规范企业破产行为,才能最大限度地保护债权人和债务人的合法权益。同时也使破产企业职工获得救济的途径。从而保障社会稳定和市场经济运行健康地发展。     

专用性投资、劳动者保护与劳动合同解除权

现代劳动法要实现专用性投资和劳动者的双重保护,而不能仅仅强调劳动者保护绝对主义。目前主流观点将《劳动法》第31条理解为赋予劳动者单方解除权的观点是有缺陷的,其没有认真对待专用性投资保护以及劳动合同自身要求的对合同期限的合理规定。涉及专用性投资的劳动合同的当事人解除劳动合同,必须向对方支付合理的补偿,否则法律可以对其进行适当的限制。同时,法律法规也应当确立补偿费的标准。