论功利主义的刑法理论

本文从法律思想史的角度论述了刑法的功利主义理论。功利主义的刑法学说源于贝卡里亚的刑法理论,边沁则是功利主义刑法学说的集大成者。功利主义刑法理论核心是,犯罪行为带来的苦大于所带来的乐,刑罚本身是一种恶,但却是一种不可避免的恶。边沁之后,功利主义成为英美国家刑法理论的主流之一,美国的社会学法学和经济分析法学对刑法的解释都受到了功利主义的影响。     

Postmortem interval estimation from body temperature data only

One of the most consistently used methods of postmortem interval estimation (PMIE) is by means of body temperature measurements. Several variations of this method exist, from simple 'rules of the thumb' to quite complex equations requiring a knowledge of body mass and height. All of these methods employ a certain degree of approximation and perhaps the use of standard values and tables, and all of them are susceptible to some degree of error. The present study, at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Leeds, was initiated by the Home Office to investigate the extent of the errors which might be encountered in the use of these methods, and to devise a more simple and accurate method. The method devised is called the time-dependent-z equation, for purely theoretical reasons. It will be referred to as the TDZE method. The TDZE method requires the measurement of two rectal temperatures, about 1 h apart, a little mental arithmetic and reference to a single standard curve. The method is valid for all bodies, obese or emaciated, clothed or naked, in all environmental conditions, without modification. Results of the use of the method on data collected from 67 coroner's cases compare favourably with the results obtained by the use of other methods on the same data.     

交通肇事罪中“因逃逸致人死亡”问题探析

新刑法对交通肇事罪进行了比较重大的修改,但对交通肇事罪“因逃逸致人死亡”这一加重情节的规定较为简单,而现实中逃逸致人死亡的行为非常复杂,从而导致了理论上和实践上的较大分歧。2000年11月15日,最高人民法院颁布的《关于审理交通肇事刑事案件具体应用法律若干问题的解释》对于“因逃逸致人死亡”的界定以及相关情节的认定问题作了解释,但是该解释仍然存在可商榷之处。笔者以刑法理论为指导,通过对交通肇事罪“因逃逸致人死亡”的对象范围、罪过形式以及司法界定的分析探究,以加深对此问题的理解。     

理性接受“死刑不引渡”

"死刑不引渡"原则随着人权观念的兴起和废除死刑的趋势而逐步为国际社会所认同,中国传统上一直回避这一原则,给司法实践带来一定障碍。我国应当理性地接受这一原则,并且对国内立法作出相应完善,以配合越来越频繁的国际司法协作。     

故意杀人罪死刑适用标准实证研究——以百例死刑案件为视角

文章从实证角度出发,将百例死刑案件作为样本,研究了死刑案件适用的现状、现存的问题及原因,通过大量数据,研究发现了一些重要情节在决定死刑案件是否适用死刑、死刑中是否立即执行时的不同作用。根据这些发现,文章认为可以针对死刑案件,将量刑情节分为三个层次．规范死刑案件的使用标准,尽可能提高司法的明确性,以呼唤死刑适用更大程度上向规范层面的回归。     

死刑案件量刑标准及量刑程序

死刑是最严厉的刑罚,因此确保死刑的正确及平等适用至关重要。但是除死刑复核之外,我国法律对死刑量刑的程序保障几乎没有规定。学界的探讨也集中在死刑复核的行政式审查及死刑案件的三审制等宏观层面。但很少讨论死刑判决的标准和适用该标准的量刑程序。文章通过讨论美国的死刑量刑程序及我国《上海法院量刑指南——总则（试行）》和《上海法院量刑指南——毒品犯罪之一》关于死刑量刑的规定,认为我国死刑量刑程序主要包括：定罪和量刑程序分离;综合分析加重处罚情节和减轻处罚情节;比例审查。     

行贿犯罪“为谋取不正当利益”要件的刑法解释

经济行贿并不要求以"为谋取不正当利益"为要件。谋取不正当利益具有选择性双重层次的内部结构,这亦符合在罪刑法定的框架内拓展性地解释谋取不正当利益的实践要求。如果行贿人谋取的利益本身并没有违反国家规定,但受贿人在接受行贿人财物后提供了违反法律、法规、国家政策和国务院各部门规章规定的帮助或者方便条件,应当以行贿人对此问题的明知作为充足"为谋取不正当利益"要件的基础。不能因为贿赂过程中的请托事项不明确而排除"感情投资"的行贿犯罪性。     

Fatal Firearm Injuries in Tennessee: A Comparison Study of Tennessee's Two Most Populous Counties 2009–2012

Firearm injuries are a leading cause of violent death in Tennessee. This study was designed to compare the demographic and epidemiologic features of fatal firearm injuries in Shelby County and Davidson County, Tennessee between 2009 and 2012. We identified 1081 gunshot fatalities for the study period in these two counties. Shelby County had a higher overall, age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rate, a higher male age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rate, and a higher age‐adjusted gunshot homicide rate than Davidson. Age groups 25–34 years and 35–44 years had higher crude mortality rates for gunshot deaths in Shelby County than Davidson County. Both counties had higher age‐adjusted gunshot mortality rates for black males than white males, higher homicide rate for black race than white, and higher suicide rate for white race than black. Homicide was the most common manner of death, and handguns were the most common type of firearm used in both counties.     

Accidental Trauma Mimicking Homicidal Violence

Homicide investigations represent an important function of death investigators. Although recognizing nonobvious homicides is crucial, an equally important role involves the identification of cases that initially present as possible homicides, but are ultimately discovered to not represent homicides. Failure to recognize such cases results in wasted time, squandered resources, false allegations, and potential life‐altering consequences. The authors review a series of cases wherein initial investigation suggested a possibility that the deaths represented homicides. By carefully considering additional information, including scene findings, history, and postmortem examination, each was determined to represent an accidental traumatic death. In addition to highlighting the importance of recognizing accidental traumatic deaths that initially present as homicides, the cases serve to highlight the fact that forensic pathology cannot be practiced without knowledge of appropriate ancillary information. Although guarding against cognitive bias is important in all forensic disciplines, including forensic pathology, access to vital case‐related ancillary information is an essential component of practicing medicine as a forensic pathologist.     

Sudden Death Caused by Anomalous Origin of the Coronary Artery During Exercise

Anomalous origin of the coronary artery (AOCA) is a rare, but important cause of sudden cardiac death among young athletes. Nine autopsy cases (8 male, 1 female; mean age, 17.9 years; age range, 11–31 years) of sudden death during or just after exercise caused by AOCA were reviewed. The exercises performed at the time of death were running (4 cases), soccer (2 cases), and baseball, swimming and kendo (Japanese swordsmanship) (1 case each). In 6 cases, the left coronary artery arose from the right sinus of Valsalva, and in 3, the right coronary artery from the left sinus. The coronary arteries passed between the pulmonary artery and the aorta with an acute angle takeoff from the orifice. Three cases had cardiovascular manifestations prior to death. In cases with cardiovascular manifestations, novel imaging methods should be considered to prevent sudden death.