Forensic Application of Analytical Mechanics in Fatal Fall From a Height

Fatal fall from a height initiated with a swinging motion on the sagittal plane of the victim's body is examined. Method of analytical mechanics is adopted to establish the functional relations between the swinging angle of the body and the force needed to sustain the body until release, and the amount of the horizontal displacement that would occur after release. The analysis is applied to support an expert opinion presented in a criminal court in which two accused were convicted of murder for dropping a female victim from a bridge. The results indicate that it is unlikely for the body to locate as recorded by the police investigation report in the case. This study demonstrates that a straightforward mechanical analysis can be utilized to examine uncommon falling scenarios.     

What do forensic analysts consider relevant to their decision making?

In response to research demonstrating that irrelevant contextual information can bias forensic science analyses, authorities have increasingly urged laboratories to limit analysts' access to irrelevant and potentially biasing information (Dror and Cole (2010) [3]; National Academy of Sciences (2009) [18]; President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (2016) [22]; UK Forensic Science Regulator (2015) [26]). However, a great challenge in implementing this reform is determining which information is task-relevant and which is task-irrelevant. In the current study, we surveyed 183 forensic analysts to examine what they consider relevant versus irrelevant in their forensic analyses. Results revealed that analysts generally do not regard information regarding the suspect or victim as essential to their analytic tasks. However, there was significant variability among analysts within and between disciplines. Findings suggest that forensic science disciplines need to agree on what they regard as task-relevant before context management procedures can be properly implemented. The lack of consensus about what is relevant information not only leaves room for biasing information, but also reveals foundational gaps in what analysts consider crucial in forensic decision making.     

略论刑法微课的设计与应用

在“互联网+”时代,线上与线下相结合的混合式教学的优势日益凸显。微课以微型教学视频为主要载体,作为一种情景化、支持多种学习方式的微型在线视频网络课程已成为混合式教学模式的“标配”。目前,刑法教学仍然停留在传统的讲授式教学阶段,教学方式单一,教与学的效率都不尽人意。微课具有学习方便、知识点集中、短时长、可视化等特点,对于克服当下刑法教学中存在的诸多不足具有很强的针对性。刑法微课实效的充分发挥源于对微课的正确认识、科学设计及合理应用。     

法律全球化中的刑法现代化——刑法现代化的一个问题

本文探讨了法律全球化下刑法的现代化及其功能的转变问题 ,认为对刑法乃至整个法律体系的本质都须作整体性的反思 ,起码要做重新的定位 ,这应该是刑法现代化的基本前提。只有那些具有同一化、实体化、可操作性的法律才能成为全球化的法律。作为公法、历来与国家主权联系甚密的刑法 ,其全球化的现实就更为渺茫。但是 ,刑法的全球化是否有必要是问题的核心 ,而不是是否可能。我们认为 ,以人权为核心展开的刑法的功能的转变应该是必要的。     

试论竞争政策与贸易政策的关系

竞争政策与贸易政策都是基本的经济政策,并且在主要方面都体现为相应的经济法律制度.在现代社会,竞争政策与自由贸易政策在追求的目标和面临的现实条件方面具有一致性,在功能上具有相互促进和补充的作用,但是两者在作用的领域、价值观念和取向以及具体处理和作用的方式等方面存在内在的差异性和潜在的冲突.     

论良法的恶性循环

人们崇尚良法,期冀良法之治,却在翘首与热望中忘却了良法亦需适宜的土壤。当良法出台后,因土壤导致的“水土不服”很可能让良法之良本身遭到质疑,这是令人尴尬的一种真实。良法如果遭遇故意误读,在司法中将会陷入一种可怕的恶性循环。从这一视角解析实践中的许多案例,能使我们揭开隐于表象后的本质,同时打开索解之结。     

在惩罚犯罪与保障人权之间：关于监听的法律思考

监听是世界各国为应付犯罪形势的新变化而发展起来的一种高技术化、高隐密性的强制侦查措施，其出现对于侦查机关打击和惩罚犯罪发挥了极其重要的作用。但是另一方面，监听的采用又严重侵犯了公民隐私权，因此，各国都对监听的采用规定了严格的法律程序，以防止侦查机关滥用监听，过度分割公民权利。我国刑事诉讼立法上对监听缺乏明确规定，这不利于保障公民人权，应当加以改进。     

Does One Size Fit All? A Note on the Harmonization of National Warranty Law as a Tool of Consumer Protection

The European Union's Directive on the Harmonization of national warranty laws directed interest to this particular legal institution. From an economic point of view warranties have different functions. In this note it will be argued that the change in the law of warranties leads to a loss of informational value and to a welfare loss resulting from constricted transaction possibilities, which has not been widely recognised in the recent discussion on warranties.     

国际法在欧洲国家的适用问题研究

欧洲是国际法的发源地,关于国际法与国内法关系的学说最早于英国出现。国际习惯法与国际条约是国际法的主要渊源,考察欧洲国家适用国际习惯法与国际条约的法律规定与实践,国际法在欧洲国家有不同的适用问题。     

论刑法适用中道德评价因素的考量

道德评价能否在刑法适用中予以考虑,是刑事司法中的难题。一方面,道德评价在刑事司法中的体现是普遍存在的实然现象;而另一方面,法治原则一般又要求道德评价不应介入司法领域,否则,依法司法的理念将受到冲击。从理论上来看,道德评价可以在刑法适用解释中予以考虑,与其让道德评价潜在地、非理性地影响刑法的解释与适用,不如理性地承认和接受道德评价因素,并对其规范、限制和合理运用。道德评价因素在刑法解释和适用中的考量既是法理的要求,也是刑法原则所许可的,那种绝对排斥道德评价的观点,看似符合法治原则,但实际上并不能成立。从社会学的视角判断,刑法适用中考量道德评价因素是社会和谐的需求,也是社会学解释方法的题中应有之义。当然,对道德评价的考量与运用,应当在法律方法论的范围内,并在对其认真甄别、选择的基础上进行。