Practical Scene Investigation

The CSI Effect posits that exposure to television programs that portray forensic science (e.g., CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) can change the way jurors evaluate forensic evidence. The most commonly researched hypothesis under the CSI Effect suggests that shows like CSI depict an unrealistically high standard of forensic science and thus unreasonably inflate the expectations of jurors. Jurors are thus more likely to vote to acquit, and prosecutors face higher burden of proof. We review (1) the theory behind the CSI Effect, (2) the perception of the effect among legal actors, (3) the academic treatment of the effect, and (4) how courts have dealt with the effect. We demonstrate that while legal actors do see the CSI Effect as a serious issue, there is virtually no empirical evidence suggesting it is a real phenomenon. Moreover, many of the remedies employed by courts may do no more than introduce bias into juror decision making or even trigger the CSI Effect when it would not normally occur (i.e., the self-fulfilling prophesy). We end with suggestions for the proper treatment of the CSI Effect in courts, and directions for future scholarly work.

Download Full-text

Ten years of molecular ballistics—a review and a field guide

International Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00414-021-02523-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jan Euteneuer ◽

Cornelius Courts

Keyword(s):

Model Building ◽

Crime Scene ◽

Forensic Evidence ◽

Biological Targets ◽

Contrast Method ◽

History Of ◽

Scene Investigation ◽

Blood Pattern Analysis ◽

Wound Ballistic ◽

Objective Investigation

AbstractMolecular ballistics combines molecular biological, forensic ballistic, and wound ballistic insights and approaches in the description, collection, objective investigation, and contextualization of the complex patterns of biological evidence that are generated by gunshots at biological targets. Setting out in 2010 with two seminal publications proving the principle that DNA from backspatter collected from inside surfaces of firearms can be retreived and successfully be analyzed, molecular ballistics covered a lot of ground until today. In this review, 10 years later, we begin with a comprehensive description and brief history of the field and lay out its intersections with other forensic disciplines like wound ballistics, forensic molecular biology, blood pattern analysis, and crime scene investigation. In an application guide section, we aim to raise consciousness to backspatter traces and the inside surfaces of firearms as sources of forensic evidence. Covering crime scene practical as well as forensic genetic aspects, we introduce operational requirements and lay out possible procedures, including forensic RNA analysis, when searching for, collecting, analyzing, and contextualizing such trace material. We discuss the intricacies and rationales of ballistic model building, employing different tissue, skin, and bone simulants and the advantages of the “triple-contrast” method in molecular ballistics and give advice on how to stage experimental shootings in molecular ballistic research. Finally, we take a look at future applications and prospects of molecular ballistics.

Download Full-text

Adaptive weights learning in CNN feature fusion for crime scene investigation image classification

Connection Science ◽

10.1080/09540091.2021.1875987 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Liu Ying ◽

Zhang Qian Nan ◽

Wang Fu Ping ◽

Chiew Tuan Kiang ◽

Lim Keng Pang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Image Classification ◽

Feature Fusion ◽

Crime Scene ◽

Crime Scene Investigation ◽

Adaptive Weights ◽

Scene Investigation

Download Full-text

Analysis of the Slope Stability in the Heavy Rainfall Condition

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.501-504.8 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 501-504 ◽

pp. 8-11

Author(s):

Jing Sheng Bian ◽

Chao Sheng Bian ◽

Zhi Ming Zhu

Keyword(s):

Slope Stability ◽

Heavy Rainfall ◽

Strength Loss ◽

Soil Parameters ◽

Actual Situation ◽

Earthquake Disaster ◽

Rainfall Condition ◽

Scene Investigation

Rainfall is one of the most important factors of the slope stability. After the "5.12" earthquake, there are a large number of loose solid produced by earthquake on the mountain, which leads to the soils strength loss in the earthquake disaster zones. and induces landslides and collapses easily in the heavy rainfall condition. The soil parameters obtained from the tests, the scene investigation of the Erman mountain landslide of Han Yuan County, the new developed control of ArcGIS to obtain intuitive landslide warning graphs have been carried out. Results show that the picture of hazard grade is consistent with the actual situation of landslide on Erman mountain. It will provide a scientific way to analyze the influence of heavy rainfall on slope stability.

Download Full-text