An analog study was devised to examine perceived differences between psychiatrists and psychologists in providing expert testimony on the insanity defense. The effects of issue involvement and initial attitude were also assessed. Subjects who had been exposed to the differences in training between the professionals were used. In a pilot investigation, subjects were exposed to identical testimony from a defense expert identified either as a psychiatrist or psychologist. Medical bias, as measured by the tendency to concur with the expert recommendations and endorse attitudes consistent with the M.D., was confirmed. This finding was especially strong among pro insanity defense subjects with low issue involvement. The failure to find a similar pattern among anti-insanity defense subjects with low issue involvement was thought to be an artifact of the absence of opposing testimony. The overall failure of highly involved anti insanity defense subjects to reach verdicts consistent with their initial attitudes, was also thought to result from the lack of opposing testimony. The primary study was designed to clarify the findings of the pilot investigation and to approximate a more authentic court situation by including an opposing expert. Witness credentials were manipulated while testimony remained constant. Some subjects were exposed to the Ph.D. for the defense and M.D. for prosecution and others to the M.D. for the defense and Ph.D. for the prosecution. Medical bias was evident in this study, again measured by the tendency to follow the recommendations of the M.D. and endorse attitudes consistent with those recommendations. Additionally, subjects tended to evaluate the psychiatrist more favorably than the psychologist. Subjects with low issue involvement were more susceptible to the influence of the medical expert. Highly issue involved subjects maintained their initial attitudes. Attitudes, issue involvement and credentials seemed to affect memory for facts of the case. In some instances, initial attitudes became stronger when mock jurors were exposed to the opposing view (polarization). Implications and limits of these findings were explored.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 47-06, page: 3546. Adviser: Beth Quill. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Göttingen, 1974. / Includes bibliographical references (p. i-ix).

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-84).

Thesis (B. S.)--University of Wisconsin -- La Crosse, 2008. / Also available online. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 19-20).

Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-84) Also available in print.

Includes bibliography. / The discussion in this paper centers around the development of a paper-and-pencil fact sheet for collecting and systematizing forensic case material. This paper-and-pencil device is the prototype fact sheet that will be used to collect the data to form a computerized, forensic information system. The system, known as FOCIS, the Forensic Computerized Information System, will serve the largest Forensic Unit in the Western Cape, at Valkenberg Hospital, and the new unit that is being developed at Lentegeur Hospital. FOCIS will comprise case material from all forensic referrals to these two hospitals, under the present law: Sections 77, 78 and 79 of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of the 1st of July 1977. Additionally, FOCIS will develop dynamically, continuing to incorporate case material as referrals are made to these hospitals. The estimated 7500 cases that will constitute FOCIS by the time this project is completed, include all of the officially classified population groups of South Africa, i.e. the so-called 'black', 'coloured' and 'white' groups [POPULATION REGISTRATION ACT, 1982]. The prototype fact sheet has a schematic layout and uses a mixed-format for data collection, i.e. checklists, multiple choice answer-options and semi-structured narrative text.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) techniques are currently used to quantify samples containing deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in forensic analyses. This technology can provide valuable information to an analyst regarding the amount of DNA present but lacks the ability to determine the quality of the sample. Electrochemistry-based biosensors that utilize screen-printed electrodes may provide a method to determine the number of DNA molecules and the length of those molecules in a single assay. This work aimed to create a biosensor by electrostatically loading TPOX oligonucleotides onto a carbon screen-printed electrode for the purpose of quantifying genomic DNA. Electrochemical signal was obtained via the indicating molecule bis-benzimide H33258, which preferentially interacts with double-stranded DNA and would indicate a hybridization event. Cyclic voltammetry was chosen to measure the current signal; peaks obtained using this technique can be analyzed with the Randles-Sevčik equation, which relates current signal with concentration of the target species. A large amount of signal variation and background charging current was observed when H33258 was used as the redox probe. This led to a study of the surface characteristics of the carbon electrodes themselves (i.e. effective surface area) by utilizing the reversible and well-characterized redox couple hexaammine ruthenium. The effect of electrode activation at high anodic potentials was also studied. Though highly recommended in the literature, activation of the carbon surface caused effective surface area and charging current to increase. While a larger electro-active surface is often desirable, the high background current generated when activation is used within the protocol can mask the signal of interest. Due to the low signal-to-noise ratio and inability to reuse the carbon electrode, it was concluded that carbon screen printed electrodes are not optimal forensic DNA biosensors.

This research examined the behavior of avian scavenger bone dispersal in a New England environment. The furthest distance that avian species can carry bone elements can be used by search investigators by providing possible distances maximum dispersal. The sizes of bones dispersed by avian species provides context on how bone elements differing in size are transported from the initial site of deposition. The project utilized two locations with elements of varying sizes (large, intermediate, and small) with tracking tags attached to determine the distance and pattern of scavenger displacement. Scavenging was also recorded with motion-sensing game cameras that allowed for differentiation between which species scavenged on which elements, allowing for the distance carried to be associated with individual species. The most common avian scavengers were the northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), and blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata). The furthest element that was displaced and recovered was a pig rib approximately 62 meters from its initial placement location and it was moved by a crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos). The second furthest element displaced was a pig rib moved approximately 41.5 meters by a Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperii). In addition, six other elements were removed from the platform by birds and not recovered due to possible displacement outside of the search radius and tracking application radius. Overall, 55.0% of elements were recovered within 1 meter of their initial placement location. For elements dispersed under 1 m, Rayleigh z-statistical tests (z =1.328; α = 0.05) for the site location in a wooded area indicated that directionality was not statistically significant, while the location in the wetlands was determined to be statistically significant (z = 20.656; α = 0.05). In addition, a Watson’s U2 Two-Sample Test of Homogeneity (U2 = 0.374) revealed the two groups of average directions are significantly different at α = 0.05. This indicates a difference in direction of displacement between the platforms. For Platform 1 (forested location), the results of the Mann-Whitney U-Test (z = -2.638) indicated that the distances of displacement between the spring and summer seasons are significantly different between the two seasons at α = 0.05. For Platform 2 (wetland location), the results of the Mann-Whitney U-Test (z = -0.859) indicate the distances of displacement between the two seasons were not significantly different between the two seasons at the α = 0.05 value. In addition, Kruskal-Wallis H tests revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between the platform location and the number of site visits for the majority of species. Only two species, cardinals (z = -2.04; α = 0.05) and song sparrows (z = -2.208; α = 0.05), were determined to have a statistically significant difference between the location and the number of site visits.

With the evolution of forensic technology, methods for positive identification are vast and accurate. These methods allow for a corpse to be identified at almost any point of decomposition. The new technology and new methodology has led to a more creative and resourceful criminal. Although few cases have been documented where chemicals are the mode of disposal, this method provides a seemingly fool proof and effective approach to disposal. Several household chemicals contain harmful agents that when used may result in the masking of identity. The purpose of this study is to indicate which chemicals can be used in order to erode or dissolve the tissues making up the dentition and bone. Four chemicals, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) and sulfuric acid were chosen and tested on teeth and bone. The dentition and bone were exposed for a period of eight hours. Measurements including mass and caliper measurements were obtained at two-hour intervals. Of the common chemicals tested, muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) was the most effective for destroying the tissues.