Novel recovery methods for biological materials in cases of alleged sexual assault: A word of caution

Many believe that an increase in the public confidence in the investigation of sexual crimes, and in conviction rates, will lead to an increase in the reporting of these crimes. Consequently, Forensic Science Providers are continually striving to make improvements in evidence recovery and examination and the subsequent interpretation of evidence. One development is in methods that enable an individual to self-sample. However, in cases where a complainant has self-sampled, questions of when the samples were taken, how they were stored and so on, can be legitimately raised. Additionally the continuity and integrity of evidential samples may be questioned resulting in them not being acceptable to the courts and potential evidence could therefore be lost. There is a large emotional and psychological impact of sexual assault and rape and no complainant who reports a sexual assault and recovers material should have that evidence inadmissible to a court. Specialised units for victims of alleged sexual violence are available and offer far more than the recovery of evidential samples. This commentary on behalf of the Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) and the Association of Forensic Science Providers Body Fluid Forum (AFSP BFF) highlights the need for after care for the victims of sexual assault and why all evidence recovered in cases of alleged sexual assault and sexual violence should be obtained in line with best practice protocols.     

价格听证中消费者代表作用的现实思考

价格听证作为公众参与公共决策制定的一项重要机制,在我国建立已有七年之久,实践中取得了一定的成效,但是也存在不少问题,尤其是消费者代表在听证实践中作用明显不足。应从加大价格听证宣传、增进公众听证意识、完善消费者代表遴选机制等方面加强消费者代表的作用。     

SURREPLY

This is a follow‐up to our previous “Comment” responding to an article by William How and Hugh McIsaac.     

暂予监外执行若干问题探析

暂予监外执行是我国刑罚执行的一项重要制度，体现了行刑过程中的人道主义精神。这一制度的严格执行既关系到监管改造工作的顺利开展，也关系到罪犯正当权利的保护。鉴于目前该制度在司法实践中存在的问题，应着力加以完善，以充分发挥其应有的作用。     

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR HAGUE CONVENTION CHILD CUSTODY DISPUTES*

This note explains that an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) protocol should be adopted as part of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction to facilitate the amicable resolution of cross‐border child custody cases. It suggests that national ADR models should be used as a guide to improve this treaty. First, this note brings to light the negative effect of cross‐border litigation on children as well as the complexities and the deficiencies of this international treaty. Second, it examines mediation and arbitration systems employed in the United States, Europe, and Australia and how these can be transposed on the international scale. Third, it proposes how the ADR protocol should be drafted and implemented. A sound ADR mechanism would alleviate the unfortunate conditions of children trapped in long and destructive international child custody battles.     

脱逃犯罪的立法发展及司法对策

对于脱逃犯罪,古今中外各国法律均作了理论界定,并通过立法和司法活动对犯罪主体进行刑罚惩治。我国对脱逃犯罪的立法有一定的历史渊源,在新刑法中又予以了修改和完善。从脱逃犯罪的立法演进、现状特点、原因规律入手,研究脱逃犯罪的司法对策,预防和控制脱逃犯罪的发生,保证监管场所的安全,对于司法实践更具现实意义。     

析抽象行政行为的可诉性

当前,随着抽象行政行为的逐渐增多,违法抽象行政行为给行政相对人造成损害的现象已日趋严重,但由于现行行政诉讼法规定相对人不得起诉抽象行政行为,使得相对人合法权益无法得到保护。针对抽象行政行为的屡屡被诉和司法监督的乏力形成的鲜明对比,应将部分抽象行政行为纳入行政诉讼受案范围,这具有必要性和可行性。     

TO RECOMMEND OR NOT TO RECOMMEND: THAT IS NOT THE QUESTION

Tippins and Wittmann provide a cogent argument for custody evaluators not to make recommendations to the court. From their forensic and scientific perspectives, they have identified some important issues, which will certainly stimulate interesting discussion among custody evaluators. In response to their article, it is my view that public sector custody evaluations offer a philosophical and procedural alternative to forensic evaluations. This article proposes that recommendations should be viewed as part of the process of evaluations rather than the outcome. Based on a qualitative and interpretive model, recommendations are judged based on their applicability, transferability, and transparency. Recommendations viewed in qualitative terms provide parents with opportunities to step out of litigation and provide guidance for parents' ongoing roles postseparation.     

对完善《中华人民共和国行政处罚法》听证制度的若干建议

《中华人民共和国行政处罚法》中的有关听证程序内容过于简略化、原则化,不易操作,需要加以完善。听证适用范围应扩大到各种具体行政行为,“较大数额罚款”需重新界定;听证申请权须延伸到所有利害关系人;听证告知制度要规定告知方式及告知书的内容;听证通知制度应规定将第三人和案件调查人员作为听证通知的对象;应明确规定案件调查人员享有质证权;尽快确立案卷排他性原则;应充实听证中证据制度的规定,丰富听证程序适用方式。条件成熟时可将听证制度专列于《行政程序法》之中。     

ALLEGATIONS AND SUBSTANTIATIONS OF ABUSE IN CUSTODY‐DISPUTING FAMILIES1

In this study of 120 divorced families referred for child custody evaluations and custody counseling, multiple allegations of child abuse, neglect, and family violence were raised in the majority of cases. About half of the alleged abuse was substantiated in some way with one fourth involving abuse perpetrated by both parents. Different kinds of allegations were raised against mothers compared with fathers. Implications of these findings for social policy, family court interventions, and the provision of coordinated services within the community are discussed.