Foreign Terrorist Fighters and the UN Investigative Team to Support Domestic Efforts to Hold ISIS Accountable for War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and Genocide Committed in Iraq: Building a Bridge that Should Be Used

After examining the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions referred to the foreign fighters who joined the ranks of ISIS in Iraq and Syria andthe UN Investigative Team to support domestic efforts to hold ISIS accountable for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide committed in Iraq (UNITAD or the Investigative Team) this article brings both contents together in order to ascertain whether there may be gaps or problems which should be addressed, since both developments were prompted by the UNSC. It is explored whether there may be certain inconsistencies, such as the one relating to the emphasis placed on different crimes, depending on the resolutions in question. Thus, those related to FTFs focus on terrorism crimes, while those related to UNITAD refer to atrocity crimes. Hereinafter the action and evolution of UNITAD is examined, in order to determine whether it might be helpful to overcome some existing barriers and avoid impunity for atrocity crimes. It will be concluded that UNITAD may provide substantial support, not only in relation to trials in Iraq, but also in third States, by providing useful tools or evidence to prosecute FTFs. Seizing this opportunity will require further action, which will be crucial to promote accountability and justice.

Analysis of Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Critical COVID-19

Background: According to the data from the joint investigative team of the WHO and China, the fatality rate in Wuhan is 5.8%and 0.7% in the rest of China. Most of the patients who have died have had chronic diseases or advanced age, and patients with critical COVID-19 have the highest death rate. Patients with critical COVID-19 are the main focus of research on treatment. However, there are few reports on critical COVID-19 patients in China and worldwide. It will help other researchers and clinicians around the world for similar cases.Purpose: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is highly infectious and has a high fatality rate.This paper summarizes and analyses the clinical characteristics of patients with critical COVID-19 to improve clinicians' understanding of this disease. Methods: We selected 16 patients with critical COVID-19 who were treated in the ICU of a grade A hospital in Wuhan from February to March 2020. Then, we collected the clinical data and analysed their general conditions, clinical symptoms, blood tests, CT scans and treatments. Results: Patients with critical COVID-19 had comorbidities (87.5%), and the main symptoms were low or moderate fever (75%), cough and expectoration (68.75%), and multiple lesions in both lungs (100%). 2. Patients with critical COVID-19 were divided into the non-surviving and surviving groups, and the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level and CD4/CD8 ratio were significantly different (P<0.05). 3. On chest CT, multiple patchy lesions were observed in both lungs, mainly as patchy infected lesions, partial consolidation, ground-glass opacities, and interstitial changes. 4. There were 10 patients (62.5%) who survived and 6 (37.5%) who died. Conclusion: Critical COVID-19 is mainly characterized by low or moderate fever, cough and sputum and often occurs in people with chronic disease.Chest CT showed multiple patchy ground-glass opacities and consolidation. For critically ill patients, it is important to monitor interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CD4/CD8 ratio. Early treatment involves thymalfasin, immunoglobulin and other immune-enhancing treatments, and a large dose of ulinastatin can reduce plasma levels of inflammatory factors.

Fraudulent records – Grave forensic consequences

Natural disasters, fatal accidents, and violent criminal offences are part of everyday life. All of these may result in fatalities that shatter the lives of the victim’s families and friends. Their trauma is compounded by the fact that all unnatural deaths have to be investigated, and the bodies of the deceased positively identified before they can be released to the families for burial. Bodies of victims of violent crimes, fires, drowning, motor vehicle or aviation accidents, work place fatalities or situations where some time has elapsed since death may be so disfigured that “identification by a family member is neither possible or desirable”. Often the nature or degree of the injury may be so extensive that fingerprinting is also not a viable option. DNA analysis may be considered, however it takes time and is a costly procedure. There are also concerns with maintaining strict control over the chain of evidence during all additional procedures and tests. Thus, in these situations the forensic odontologist may be called in as part of the investigative team.

Using Forensic Anthropology to Investigate Mass Graves: Comparative Case Studies from Rwanda and Guatemala

Excavation of mass graves can help in the aftermath of genocides by providing closure for surviving families and aiding in successful prosecution of criminals. In this article, I compare the methods used to investigate mass graves from cases in Rwanda and Guatemala. Anthropologists in Guatemala used excavations to provide closure for families who suffered through a 36-year governmental assault on the indigenous Mayan people. In contrast, Rwanda’s genocide on ethnic Tutsi compelled the UN to form an investigative team to use evidence collected to prosecute those whomthey deemed to have committed crimes against humanity. Comparing these two cases exemplifies how purpose affects exhumation, analysis, and resources; for example, Guatemalan investigators worked extensively with local peoples throughout investigations, while Rwandan investigators only used families to obtain legally defensible positive identificationIDs. In addition, Iwilladdress some of the issues with excavation of mass graves,including resource deficits, DNA analysis, and commingled remains.

Occupational Disease and Injury

Occupational diseases and injuries continue to exact a societal burden on productivity, acute and chronic disease, and preventable medical costs. Occupational problems require collaboration from employers, labor, and government both for investigation and for preventive intervention. A key characteristic is the need for exposure assessment with a multidisciplinary investigative team that includes environmental scientists or industrial hygienists who can evaluate workplace characteristics needed for design, questionnaire development, quantitative assessment of exposure, interpretation of findings, and guidance for prevention. A field epidemiologic investigation often is triggered by worker or physician recognition of clusters of disease or injury. The relatively few field investigators working on occupational disease and injury provide room for many contributions. Occupational health field investigations are exciting because of the opportunity they provide to learn from other disciplines and collaborators in other agencies and because of impact.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 2379

On September 21, 2017, the United Nations Security Council unanimously passed Resolution 2379 mandating the establishment of an Investigative Team to collect and preserve evidence for use in national courts of international crimes carried out by the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Resolution 2379 marks a growing trend in the United Nations’ establishment of investigative mechanisms to support the domestic prosecution of international crimes, in lieu of referrals to the International Criminal Court or creation of ad hoc international or hybrid tribunals.

Pharmacokinetics of Iodine and Fluoride following Application of an Anticaries Varnish in Adults

Researchers have suggested that combining topical fluoride with an antiseptic to reduce cariogenic bacteria may be more effective than fluoride application alone in preventing dental caries. In previous studies, povidone iodine (PVP-I), a widely used bactericidal antiseptic, and sodium fluoride (NaF), used to foster remineralization of enamel, were applied sequentially topically and shown to be safe and effective. The study aim was to characterize the kinetics of iodine and fluoride following topical application of a single combination PVP-I and NaF anticaries varnish in healthy adults. Sixteen participants (aged 23 to 57 y) participated in a pharmacokinetics study following the application of 0.4 mL varnish containing 10% (w/v) PVP-I and 5% (w/v) NaF. Serum and urine samples were collected at various time points over 24 h following application of varnish. Iodine and fluoride concentrations were analyzed, and for each time point, baseline concentrations were subtracted from observed values. Following varnish application, 2 of 16 participants had nearly undetectable baseline-corrected iodine and fluoride levels, suggesting minimal absorption, lack of release of iodine and fluoride from the varnish, or inconsistent dosing. The average peak concentrations were 57 ± 33 ng/mL iodine and 60 ± 34 ng/mL (0.060 ± 0.034 ppm) fluoride and occurred within 3 h of application. The average elimination half-life was 5.5 ± 1.4 h and 3.1 ± 1.6 h for iodine and fluoride, respectively. Renal clearance of iodine and fluoride was similar to literature values. No adverse events related to the study varnish were observed by the investigative team or reported by the participants. In this study, serum fluoride and iodine transiently increased but were within normal range 24 h after application of the varnish. This study has shown that the combination of PVP-I and NaF in a proposed anticaries varnish was well tolerated. Knowledge Transfer Statement: This clinical study demonstrated that a dental varnish combining 10% (w/v) povidone iodine and 5% (w/v) sodium fluoride is well tolerated. Serum fluoride and iodine transiently increased but were within normal range after 24 h. Further studies should be conducted to assess the efficacy of a combination in preventing dental caries, especially in high-risk populations.

The procedure of identification of mass disaster victims in Russia

The Russian procedure of identification of mass disaster victims is based on the present state of knowledge and the employment of state-of-the-art scientific analysis equipment. The Authors analyse legal regulations, concerning the identification of unknown bodies, that are in force in Russia, describe recommendations established by the doctrine regarding the methodology of conducting respective identification procedures, as well as forms and methods of the work organisation of the investigative team in a section describing identification of victims.