searchfortruth.info > Blog > 2017 > July > Page 3

Month: July 2017

Certain Factors Pertaining to the Value of Narcoanalysis in Securing Testimony

by

FOR centuries it has been known that certain drugs such as alcohol, hashish, mescal, cocaine, opiates and others could in varying degrees reduce an individual's conscious self-control and volition and might cause him to reveal feelings, experiences and ideas which he otherwise would not express. The Latin expression "in vino veritas" illustrates that the ancient Romans were aware of such effects. Not only are the psychic inhibitory functions af- fected varyingly by the above drugs, but further, the capacity to experience danger or threat to one's security is altered. For instance, there is a reduction in the awareness of disturbing feelings of anxiety and guilt which often underlie inhibitory defensive reactions. In more recent years, certain rapidly acting barbiturates such as sodium amytal and pentothal administered intravenously were found to be particularly useful for such purposes. In World War II, psychiatrists made extensive use of these two barbiturates, particularly for purposes of abreaction and catharsis of traumatic emotional experiences result

Read More!

Moment Of Truth: Medical Ethics And Human Rights In Narcoanalysis

by

The Supreme Court has declared illegal the use of medical technologies for investigation of individuals without their consent and several safeguards. Nevertheless, narcoanalysis, brain mapping and other medical technologies continue to be used. The participation of doctors in these practices erodes the very core of the medical profession, writes Amar Jesani

I did not know Dr Ramanadham personally, though he was active at the same time I was in the trade union and human rights movements. His work inspired many of us, for the involvement of medical professionals in doing something progressive is quite rare in India. Amongst such rare doctors today is Dr Binayak Sen, who has used his professional skills only for the poor, and involved himself in human rights work (he was imprisoned on false charges by the Chhattisgarh government). Incidentally, both Dr Ramanadham and Dr Sen specialised as paediatricians.

The participation of some doctors in the violation of democratic rights or in conservative and anti-people activities is

Read More!

High Strength Synthetic Fiber Ropes

by

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Chapter 3 describes ropes made from high strength synthetic materials for oceanographic towing, mooring and lifting. The chapter is broken in four main sections.
High strength synthetic rope compared to wire
Materials available for rope construction
Constructional changes that alter rope performance
Summary and Reference Material

2.0 HIGH STRENGTH SYNTHETIC FIBER ROPES VS STEEL

A primary advantage of Synthetic Fiber Rope is their lightweight. Lightweight lines are easier to handle and reduce topside weight. High Strength Synthetic Fiber Rope also can be used in greater depths than wire.

2.A Weight Comparison

Kevlar density is less than 1/5 that of steel and Spectra's density is less than 1/8 that of steel. A 1" Kevlar, Spectra, and wire each have approximately 125,000 pound break strength. However, the weight per 100/ft is very different:...

2.B Payload Comparison in Water

There are significant weight savings when synthetic rope is used in water. As stated above, Kevlar rope is u

Read More!

Fatal Falls from a Height: Two Case Studies

by

ABSTRACT:

Two case studies are presented involving fatal falls of adult females from a height. One involved a launch at low speed from a balcony, and one involved a launch at high speed from the top of a cliff. Crime scene evidence obtained on the balcony itself provided a strong indication of homicide, but subsequent investigation showed that the fall was accidental. No crime scene evidence was obtained for the cliff fall since the fall initially appeared to be just another suicide from a popular suicide spot. Subsequent investigations indicated homicide based on measurements of cliff height, horizontal distance to the impact, and available runup distance, plus measurements of possible run, jump, and throw speeds. It was found that a female weighing 61 kg (134 lb) can be thrown at speeds up to 4.85 m/s by a strong male, more than enough to account for the estimated launch speed (4.5 m/s). Given the available 4.0 m runup distance, it was found that

Read More!

Forensic Physics 101: Falls from a Height

by

I. INTRODUCTION

A recent innovation in some physics departments is the introduction of courses on forensicphysics.Topics of interest include motor vehicle accidents, trajectories of bullets, fire and explosion investigation, and materials identification and imaging methods. Another topic that could be used to illustrate a forensic application of Newton’s laws is the physics of falls from a height involving serious injury or death. Fatal falls are mostly accidental and commonly involve falling from or down objects such as a ladder, tree, stairs, balcony, or a construction site. Falling from a height is surprisingly common, accounting for about one in eight work related deaths. During 1997–2000, 1643 people fell off flat roofed houses in the south-east part of Turkey. Between 1937 and 1981, 720 people fell or jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge. Falls from a height are generally a safety issue, but can also be an issue for the police. Over the last five years I have

Read More!

Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations

by

INTRODUCTION

CALL FOR ACTION

In 2006, the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) hosted two conferences addressing violent crime: the “Promoting Effective Homicide Investigations” (May 25 and 26) and the “National Violent Crime Sum- mit” (August 30). Both were instrumental in understanding violent crime in the United States, as well as national and local initiatives to reduce it.1 The primary goal of this document is to improve homicide investigations by exploring law enforcement agency practices and examining relatively new procedures that may lead to more effective investigations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) report of 2005 crime data showed a 2.4 percent nationwide increase in homicides from 2004.The FBI’s preliminary numbers for 2006 indicate a continued upward trend in homicides in cities across the nation. For example, during the period 2004 to 2006, homicides increased by 38 percent in Cleveland. Other cities with significant increases in homicides in that period include Cincinnati (41 percent), Houston (37 percent), Las Vegas (16 percent),

Read More!

Solicitation: Research and Development on Forensic Crime Scene and Medicolegal Death Investigations

by

Specific Information Research and Development on Forensic Crime

Scene and Medicolegal Death Investigations

With this solicitation, NIJ seeks proposals for research and development to enhance forensic crime scene examinations and forensic medicolegal investigations of death. This solicitation focuses on:
New or improved forensic tools and technologies that will allow for the detection and identification of evidence at a crime scene; e.g., latent prints, blood spatter, blood, semen, hairs, fibers, gun shot residue, explosive residue, fire debris, and impression evidence including:

– Smaller, more rugged, and less labor-intensive non-destructive analytical tools and technologies for the onsite presumptive and/or confirmatory analysis of forensic evidence at a crime scene.

– Improved means to locate, identify, capture, and stabilize samples (kit development), which are applicable to trace particulate, liquid, chemical, and biological evidence, and

Read More!

Systolic and Diastolic Heart Failure: Differences and Similarities

by

ABSTRACT

Background: Diastolic heart failure (DHF) and systolic heart failure (SHF) are clinical subsets of the syndrome of chronic heart failure that are most commonly encountered in clinical practice. Methods and Results: The clinically overt DHF and SHF appear to be separate syndromes with distinctive morphologic and functional changes although signs, symptoms, and prognosis are very similar. In DHF, the left ventricle is not dilated and the ejection fraction is preserved. In contrast in SHF, it is dilated and the ejection fraction is reduced. The neurohormonal abnormalities in DHF and SHF appear to be similar. The stimuli and the signals that ultimately produce these different phenotypes of chronic heart failure remain, presently, largely unknown. Conclusions: Although there has been considerable progress in the management of SHF, the management of DHF remains mostly empirical because of lack of knowledge of the molecular and biochemical mechanisms which produce myocardial structural and functional changes in this syndrome. Further research

Read More!

Overview of Adult Traumatic Brain Injuries

by

Introduction

Trauma is a leading cause of death in the adult population. Approximately one half of all adults who have died from a trauma injury sustained a head injury. Of those 50%, approximately half are admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of a head injury. Head injuries are associated with approximately 50% of all motor vehicle crashes. Risk-taking behaviors can also lead to accidents that cause head injuries and include: alcohol intake, mind-altering drugs, improper use or non-use of safety equipment in motor vehicles, motorcycles (helmets), bicycles (helmets), and participation in contact sports. If a detailed history is unavailable and the patient is unconscious, then the loss of consciousness may have preceded and/or caused the injury.Anatomy , Physiology The components of the head and brain affected by head injuries include the scalp, skull, facial bones, brain tissue, meninges, blood brain barrier, intravascular component (blood in blood vessels), and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Scalp Injuries to the scalp are usuall...

Read More!

Injuries & Its Medico Legal Injuries & Its Medico Legal Aspect

by

INTRODUCTION

Injury is also known as trauma or wound and can be defined legally as any harm whatsoever in nature caused illegally to the body, mind, reputation or property (Bhullar, 2007). Medicolegally (clinically) it is defined as breach or dissolution of the natural continuity of any of the tissues of a living body by actual physical violence. The legal aspect views trauma in two forms, simple and grievous while medicolegally trauma has various types’ mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical/lightening, radiation (Bhullar, 2007). The mode of injury could be suicidal, homicidal or accidental. Doctors should therefore be abreast with medico-legal procedures to identify and differentiate failed homicidal, suicidal from accidental cases. This will go a long way to wholishically manage a patient, as they may eventually succeed in their attempts leading to deaths if not properly managed. Injuries of medicalegal importance include:
1. Hesitation cuts/tentative cuts: These are parallel superficial cuts suggestive of suicidal nature, seen in the (precordial area), wrist etc....

Additional Resource: Medicolegal Notes in Injuries, an Emerging Clinical Importance (2248 downloads )

Read More!

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

by

In order to assist countries in conducting non-clinical research and drug development, TDR developed a Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) series in 2001, comprising a GLP Handbook as well as GLP Training manuals for trainers and trainees. The demand for this series was so substantial that it became one of the most frequent “hits” on the TDR website, generating interest and demand for a second edition. This Second-edition GLP series is presented here in a revised and updated format. It supports continued technology transfer and capacity-building in disease endemic countries (DECs) in line with the aims of the recent World Health Assembly Resolution (WHA 61.21) on a Global strategy and plan of action on public health, innovation and intellectual property WHO | Public Health, Innovation, Intellectual Property and Trade This Second-edition GLP Handbook contains all of the required support material for implementing GLP in a laboratory. The handbook comprises four parts, all updated, including: 1) explanation of the fundamentals of GLP; 2) support for GLP training; 3)...

Read More!

Education and Training in Forensic Science: A Guide for Forensic Science Laboratories, Educational Institutions, and Students

by

Introduction

Forensic science plays a crucial role in the justice system by providing scientific and foundational information for investigations and the courts.1 The Technical Working Group on Education and Training in Forensic Science (TWGED) focused primarily on education and training in those disciplines traditionally and generally associated with the work of forensic science laboratories, commonly referred to as “criminalistics.” (For more information on criminalistics, see “What Is ‘Criminalistics’?”) Criminalistics is the profession and scientific discipline directed toward the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence in legal proceedings by the application of the natural sciences. There are many other forensic science specialty areas whose educational and training requirements are distinctly different from the traditional laboratory science areas, such as forensic computer science, forensic entomology, and forensic psychology; these are more fully described in appendix A....

How to Use This Guide This Guide is intended for use by forensic science laboratories in hiring and training forensic scientists, educational institutions offering or seeking to establish forensic...

Read More!

Exploring the Spatial Configuration of Places Related to Homicide Events

by

Mobility and Homicide

Introduction

This research provides a comprehensive exploration of the spatial etiology of homicides in Washington, D.C. Three basic elements of convergence (victim’s home, offender’s home, and homicide location) and three associated measures the relative distances between the locations are analyzed. All six elements are explored both individually and jointly to increase our understanding of homicides. The initial analysis focuses on the patterns of the three locations separately and then examines the distances between locations. The second phase analyzes the spatial interactions among victims and offenders through the application of both traditional and distance spatial typologies. Finally, the third phase is a comprehensive exploration of techniques for visualizing the distributions and associated relationships. In sum, this research fills a gap in the criminological literature by (1) disaggregating homicides by motive to provide a more exact analysis of movement for each particular type; (2) exploring the distances to homicide for victims and offenders; (3) describing the relationships between victims,

Read More!

Real Time Knot Tying Simulation

by

Abstract

While rope is arguably a simpler system to simulate than cloth, the real-time simulation of rope, and knot tying in particular, raise unique and difficult issues in contact detection and management. Some practical knots can only be achieved by complicated crossings of the rope, yielding multiple simultaneous contacts, especially when the rope is pulled tight. This paper describes a simulator allowing a user to grasp and smoothly manipulate a virtual rope and to tie arbitrary knots, including knots around other objects, in real-time. One component of the simulator precisely detects self collisions in the rope, as well as collisions with other objects. Another component manages collisions to prevent penetration, while making the rope slide with some friction along itself and other objects, so that knots can be pulled tight in believable manner. An additional module uses recent results from knot theory to identify which topological knots have been tied, also in real-time. This work was motivated by surgical suturing, but simulation

Read More!

The Most Useful Rope Knots for the Average Person to Know

by

Single-Loop Knots

A single-loop knot is useful when you need to throw a rope over something such as a post (to tie up a boat, for example), or when you need to attach something to a loop of rope (as in rock climbing), etc.If you don't tie knots in rope very often then it might be difficult to remember which knot to use, and how to tie it properly, when you need a loop. Therefore, it's a good idea to learn one or two good knots which you can remember easily. For a mid-line loop or an end-line loop, my current preference is the double-wrapped Flying Bowline, although sometimes I use the Alpine Butterfly. When I need to pass a rope around an object and tie off the end, I usually use the Adjustable Grip Hitch. I've never had problems with slipping or jamming using these knots, but this doesn't mean that they're the best knots for you...

Read More!

Instructions for Tying Knots

by

WHEN SOMEONE COMMITS A CRIME, it’s safe to assume that person wants to get rid of the evidence; they may wear gloves, or conceal their identity. But criminals get caught, often on the most incidental oversights—some as small and seemingly innocent as a knot in a string.

And, it turns out, knots are exactly one of those common oversights-turned-evidence, thanks to the small but significant field of knot forensics, in which specialists examine knots to unveil forensic clues. This is what Glenn Dickey, knots expert, has done to help prosecute criminals; as one of few knot experts in the world who contributes to forensics work, Dickey uses his advanced knowledge of knot tying to establish tricky details: whether the knot-tier was left- or right handed, skilled or novice at knot tying, and in some cases, whether the crime was premeditated.

Dickey, based in Ohio, is part of the North American chapter of the International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT),...

Additional Resource: How Knot Analysis Can Reveal the Perpetrator of a Crime

Additional Resource: International Guild of Knot Tyers

Read More!