A disturbing average of 600 Palestinian children are prosecuted by Israeli military courts every year. Three fourths of the children experience some form of physical violence during their arrest, interrogation, and/or detention. On the contrary, Jewish Israeli children never face the brutality of a military court system with a 99.74% conviction rate of Palestinian minors. The aim of this thesis is to examine the “legal” systems responsible for discriminatorily incarcerating an average of 200 children in military jails on a monthly basis. Central questions to my thesis ask: is this behavior legal and legitimate by Israeli legal standards? Can the same be said about the standards set by international law? What defines and distinguishes a legal system? Finally, how should we punish children, if at all? This thesis argues there is a severe lack of legality and legitimacy behind Israel’s rampant and unrestricted incarceration of Palestinian minors, be it by Israeli or international measures.

Drug trafficking and smuggling is an ongoing challenge for law enforcement agencies. Cocaine smuggling is a high-value pursuit for smugglers and has been attempted using a variety of concealment methods including the use of bottled liquids, canned milk, wax and suspensions in cans of beer. In particular, traffickers have used clothing impregnated with cocaine for smuggling. Handling, transportation or re-packaging of drugs of abuse and explosives will inevitably leave residual material on the clothing and other possessions of the involved persons. The nails and skin of the person may also be contaminated through the handling of these substances. This research study describes the development of Raman spectroscopic techniques for the detection of drugs of abuse and explosives on biomaterials of forensic relevance including undyed natural and synthetic fibres and dyed textile specimens, nail and skin. Confocal Raman microscopy has been developed and evaluated for the detection and identification of particulates of several drugs of abuse and explosives on different substrates. The results show that excellent spectroscopic discrimination can be achieved between single particles and substrate materials, giving a ubiquitous non-destructive approach to the analysis of pico-gram quantities of the drugs and explosives in-situ. Isolating the particle in this way corresponds with an analytical sensitivity comparable with the most sensitive analytical techniques currently available e.g. the highly sensitive, yet destructive ionization desorption mass spectrometry. With the confocal Raman approach, this work demonstrates that definitive molecular-specific information can be achieved within seconds without significant interference from the substrate. The potential for the application of this technique as a rapid preliminary, forensic screening procedure is obvious and attractive to non-specialist operators as it does not involve prior chemical pretreatment ii or detachment of the analyte from the substrate. As a result, evidential materials can be analysed without compromising their integrity for future investigation. Also, the applications of benchtop and portable Raman spectroscopy for the in-situ detection of drugs of abuse in clothing impregnated with the drugs have been demonstrated. Raman spectra were obtained from a set of undyed natural and synthetic fibres and dyed textiles impregnated with these drugs. The spectra were collected using three Raman spectrometers; one benchtop dispersive spectrometer coupled to a fibre-optic probe and two portable spectrometers. High quality spectra of the drugs could be acquired in-situ within seconds and without any sample preparation or alteration of the evidential material. A field-portable Raman spectrometer is a reliable instrument that can be used by emergency response teams to rapidly identify unknown samples. This method lends itself well to further development for the in-situ examination by law enforcement officers of items associated with users, handlers and suppliers of drugs of abuse in the forensics arena. In the last section of this study, a portable prototype Raman spectrometer ( DeltaNu Advantage 1064) equipped with 1064 nm laser excitation has been evaluated for the analysis of drugs of abuse and explosives. The feasibility of the instrument for the analysis of the samples both as neat materials and whilst contained in plastic and glass containers has been investigated. The advantages, disadvantages and the analytical potential in the forensics arena of this instrument have been discussed.

The subject of this study is long-term, contract-based relationships, demonstrated through a variety of cases in the music industry. An alternative legal approach, the hypothetical doctrine of unconscionably constructed contracts, is propounded, compared with existing law and tested against prominent and recent cases. Observational knowledge gained over fifteen years of experience and contact with writers, performers, managers, agents and lawyers, led to the study. Thus, that industry was specifically considered, although there may be other industries where the concept could be applied. Because the relationships discussed are vulnerable to breakdown causing costly litigation, current rules and doctrines may fall short of providing adequate advice and governance to a needy business class. Whatever the outcome, judicial ruling and cost to the various parties, cases with similar root cause and argument recur time and again, decade after decade. Neither side, creative nor corporate appears to learn enough from experience. Their inability to understand guidance and governance offered by the law is examined, as are other possible reasons for their apparent recalcitrance. Relevant areas of contract law are found to be undue influence, restraint of trade and inequality of bargaining power. Underlying judicial concern over public policy and unconscionable behaviour is recognised as important. Combined with the study of contract law theory and practices, is an examination of the nature of the parties, creative and corporate. Economic, personal and commercial factors which influence their behavioural patterns have been analysed. Economics analysis methodology combined with behavioural and personality analysis has led to an understanding of those aspects of long-term contractual conduct which are often the cause of relational breakdown. The music industry is seen to be receptive to improvements offered by thoughtfully structured law. The parties anticipate intervention and attempt to utilise rules of law in building and severing their obligation to each other. Therefore, it is believed here that the hypothetical doctrine offered would give tighter definition, resulting in better practice in the preparation of contracts and reduce the frequency of costly litigation.

This report is a fact-based, data-driven journalistic presentation of how the 1033 military surplus program operates in Texas. The program transfers excess U.S. Department of Defense supplies to federal, state and local law enforcement at little to no cost to the agencies. Congress created the surplus program in the 1990s to repurpose taxpayer-bought equipment. Supplies available to agencies range from clothes to electronics to weapons and armored vehicles. Initially, only agencies with an anti-drug and counterterrorism mission participated. After 9/11 and the War on Terror, the equipment surplus grew, and the program expanded. Today, the 1033 is a multi-billion dollar surplus program that has transferred an estimated $4.2 billion worth of equipment to more than 13,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In Texas, more than 700 agencies are currently participating in the program. They have received $181.99 million in equipment between 2006 and 2013. An in-depth look into the 1033 program--specifically in Texas--found that it lacks adequate oversight at both the federal and state levels and has suffered from abuse. Some of the program's critics say its mass distribution of weapons and armored vehicles contributes to police militarization. The content in this report was produced using information gathered from federal and state documents, various publications, news reports and numerous interviews. The tables, figures, illustrations and story show the types of military supplies available through the program, how many items Texas agencies have received, how much it costs and how some local police departments are using the program. / text

The state of Utah has sexual assault rates consistently higher than the national average. Following sexual assaults, victims are advised to seek health care services with evidence collected and packaged in sexual assault kits (SAKs). This large (N=1,874), retrospective study examined rates of sexual assault kit (SAK) submissions by law enforcement (LE) to the state crime laboratory for analysis at four sites in Utah with established sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs on SAKs collected from 2010 to 2013. Variables of legal and extralegal characteristics in sexual assault cases were explored through GEE modeling to determine what factors predicted SAK submissions. For submitted SAKs, the length of time between the dates of assault and dates of submission were categorized and bivariate and multivariate analyses calculated to discover legal and extralegal characteristics affecting time of submission. The four study sites in Utah represented 40% of Utah LE agencies and 65% of the state’s population. Out of the 1,874 SAKs in the study, only 38.2% were submitted by LE to the state crime laboratory for analysis. When SAK submissions were examined based upon time between assaults and submission dates, 22.8% were submitted within a year of the assault and 15.4% were submitted more than a year after the assault following media and community pressure for LE agencies to submit SAKs in storage. Significant variability of SAK submission rates and the time submitted from the assault dates were found between the four sites. Site location was found to be the main determinant of whether or not SAKs were submitted. The lack of SAK submissions for analysis results in justice denied for victims and raises public safety concerns. The finding that the location in which the sexual assault occurred was the primary factor on SAK submissions represents an inequity of justice. / School of Nursing; / Nursing / PhD; / Dissertation;

Pakistan's tribal areas have become a refugee for Al-Qa'ida terrorists and other criminals. Criminal elements have been able to take advantage of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) because these lands enjoy a unique legal status dating back to the British Empire. The influx of Afghan refugees following the Soviet invasion has likewise provided fertile soil for religious extremism. Extremists continue to be educated, trained, and sheltered in madrassas operating in tribal areas. Extreme poverty in the FATA lands contributes to their 'wild west' atmosphere, including the proliferation of smuggling and other illegal trade. Fully integrating FATA lands into Pakistan is necessary for both Pakistan and the international community. Pakistan simply cannot afford to have areas operating outside the control of central government and the rule of law. Extending the rule of law to FATA is a necessary step in the prosecution of the war on terror. However, thus far Government efforts to bring the tribal areas into the fold of the normal law of the land have achieved minimal results. Resistance to full integration runs high among certain social forces in FATA. The prevailing environment is thus detrimental to national integration and the security of the country. This study provides an analysis of how tribal areas can be gradually absorbed into Pakistan while offering a strategy to solve administrative, political, and economic problems so that the areas can play a major role in the mainstream life of the nation, while helping the government to establish its writ.

CHDS State/Local / This thesis reviews background related to counterterrorism and law enforcement planning for major special events and it identifies some of the strategic issues that have emerged in special events management since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It focuses on the subjective and objective components of the systems currently used by DHS and the FBI to categorize and resource special events, and it evaluates whether the current approach to major event planning is sufficient for contemporary counterterrorism challenges. The thesis considers how changes in the present system may improve interagency counterterrorism preparedness. Finally, it applies risk management principles to the interagency special event planning process to determine if these principles are useful for developing a rational, politically defensible, and fiscally responsible approach to federal resource allocation for major special events. / Chief, FBI Special Events Management Unit, Washington, D.C.

The world's shipping lanes are an area of intense focus in the Global War on Terror. Every day millions of tons of cargo are shipped through thousands of ports. Most cargo is harmless, however, some ships carry the weapons and human operators of terrorist organizations. To prevent the spread of weapons and terror suspects on the sea lanes, the cargo, passengers, and crew of these vessels must be subject to a level of scrutiny that is orders of magnitude greater than current efforts. The ability to rapidly extend a network and provide virtual expert services to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) boarding teams is crucial to protecting the United States and its allies from seaborne terror attacks and infiltration. This thesis uses scenario-based experimentation to examine the methods for implementing near-real-time collaborative work spaces in a virtual environment able to support VBSS operation anywhere in the world, limited only by network connectivity. The use of collaborative tools vastly increases the amount, type, and accuracy of information that can be processed. Radiation detection or classification and biometric fusion are among the hundreds of virtual collaborative sources that can be leveraged as force multipliers to bring network centric warfare to the maritime security domain.

CHDS State/Local / During the past decade the world has witnessed an increase in the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Explosives in the hands of terrorists continue to pose a significant threat. Lessons learned indicate that when traditional explosives become difficult to obtain, bomb makers turn to common chemicals as precursors to manufacture explosives. Only the imagination and the availability of certain chemicals limits the number explosives which can be manufactured with relative ease utilizing common chemicals readily available in our communities. Availability of precursor chemicals and ease by which explosives can be manufactured, increase the potential that IEDs will be deployed in the Homeland and requires a careful study of the options necessary to defeat IED deployment. This thesis analyzes various options, policies and procedures to ascertain which would be most appropriate to defeat explosives manufactured from common chemicals. Options include removing, restricting, and tracking certain chemicals available to the public as well as increasing awareness to emergency responders and the public. State and federal legislation pertaining to methamphetamine laboratories is analyzed to identify potential crossover legislation to counter explosives manufacture. Intelligence gathering and information sharing technologies and procedures are assessed for effectiveness as law enforcement tools. / Director, Isanti County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

CHDS State/Local / The tragedy of 11 September 2001 revealed two major shortcomings: the US military and the Department of Defense's inability to respond quickly to and defend against the threat posed by foreign terrorists to the United States, and the inability of the Intelligence and Law Enforcement Communities to fuse and analyze foreign threat intelligence with domestic law enforcement information in a timely fashion to provide adequate indications and warning of such an attack. The United States Northern Command Intelligence Directorate (J2) has the primary mission in providing accurate, timely, and relevant indications and warnings of potential threats to the Commander, USNORTHCOM. The USNORTHCOM J2 must be able to use all intelligence sources, including law enforcement information, to better understand the potential threats and capabilities arrayed against it. This enables the USNORTHCOM J2 to provide the Commander, USNORTHCOM an all-source, fused analytic assessment of potential threats as the command carries out its mission to "deter, prevent, and defeat threats and aggression aimed at the United States," and thus fulfilling the command's role as the Department of Defense's primary lead command in homeland defense and homeland security. / Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) - Navy - Terrorism Analysis Branch Chief, US Northern Command (Northcom) NORAD - Intelligence Directorate