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Stabilita kriminality v místech: Případová studie českého města

Author(s): Jana Jíchová,Martin Šimon / Language(s): Czech Issue: 5/2020

Research into the concentration of crime at places is a long-standing research area in environmental criminology. Studies demonstrate the practical potential of geo-localised data for criminological and security research. Knowledge about crime concentration at places makes it possible to focus repressive and preventive activities in localities where the most effective results can be achieved. In Czech criminology, limited use has as yet been made of geolocalised crime data or knowledge about the concentration of crime at places. Consequently, this article presents a case study of the concentration of crime at places within a Czech city. One-half of crime is concentrated at 8% of street segments in case study of Czech city. The article builds on the knowledge about the spatial stability of crime and provides a model of urban crime that is applicable to Czech cities. This model is based on data from a case study and considers crime rates and crime concentration patterns in different types of urban environment. Our findings are presented in relation to the results of international studies to propose directions for further crime research.

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Creating Culture of Peace: Non-Violent Conflict Resolution

Author(s): Darko Marković M.,Branko S. Djustibek / Language(s): English Issue: 1/2022

The history of mankind has been marked by the use of force, which has led many thinkers to seek answers to questions: what are conflict and violence, what is their nature, are they generated externally, by what forces, or are they a product of human aspirations to selfishly satisfy their needs. The answer to these questions is only the beginning of the search because it opens new, undoubtedly equally important questions - whether conflict and violence can be positive values and, in particular, whether conflicts can be resolved or transformed before they generate violence, and if so, what are the processes, mechanisms and strategies. Seeking answers to all these questions requires complex multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and the integration and harmonization of their results into a coherent whole. Having this in mind as a limiting, but at the same time motivating research factor, the aim of the authors of this paper is to determine with sequential analyzes the way of resolving the conflict by non-violent means through the stages of its development.

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Bezdotykové měření teploty - termovize

Author(s): Renata Holubová / Language(s): Czech Issue: 2/2022

The paper summarizes basic information about the physical nature of non-contact temparature measurement – thermovision. Basic parameters that influence the creation of the thermogram are discussed. The paper is supplemented with practical examples of measurements using the FLIR E30 thermal camera.

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Příspěvek ke způsobům identifikačního zkoumání

Author(s): Jiří Straus / Language(s): Czech Issue: 2/2022

Forensic identification is the process of identifying objects according to forensic traces, the goal is to identify the object that created the forensic trace. In the article, the authors deal with the development of opinions on the concept of criminal identification. The author focuses on the basic methods of identification examination. He expands the methods of identification examination with the concept of recognition, the identification of objects according to a memory trace.

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The Role of Memory in Penal Sciences

Author(s): Agnieszka Romanowska / Language(s): Polish Issue: 13/2021

The ancient Greeks believed that memory was a gift from the beautiful goddess Mnemosine, daughter of Uranus and Gaia, belonging to the first generation of titans and a titanide. Nowadays memory is understood and defined in many different ways, sucha as multi-stage process consisting of the ability to register and recall data information. Memory processes are undoubtedly very closely related to emotions. They differ depending on the duration of the memory trace, as well as the type of information and the degree to which we are consciously involved in the process of remembering and recreating information. The aim of this paper is to show the importance of human’s memory in penal science. Memory allows to recreate a so- -called memory portrait with the help of a qualified police cartoonist or a computer program, the perpetrator of which the witness or the aggrieved person saw only for seconds. Such portraits are published through various means of communication, such as the press, the Internet, and television. They often cause the quick identification and apprehension of the perpetrator.

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Correlation of resting heart rate with a criminal sentence in young adult incarcerated criminal offenders

Author(s): Paweł Przybylski,Danuta Rode / Language(s): English Issue: 130-131/2022

Criminal sentence is supposed to be just reflection of the gravity of the violations of social norms by an individual in given circumstances. It therefore should be a reliable base for measurement of antisocial tendencies in offenders. Decades of research consistently show that autonomic under-arousal is a significant predictor of crime, violence and antisocial behaviour (AB). No research to date tried to study relationship between length of criminal sentences and physiological measures of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Our study aimed to check if parameters of criminal sentences are good quantification of antisocial tendencies by correlating it with their known physiological correlate – resting heart rate (HR). We correlated sum of sentences, largest individual sentence and legal limits for most serious offence as documented in criminal records with resting HR in 74 young adult incarcerated criminal offenders aged 18–20. In line with the hypothesis we obtained Pearson’s coefficients of r = -.443; r = -.451 and r = -.397 respectively as well as Spearman’s coefficients ρ = -.408; ρ = -.492 and ρ = -.406 respectively, all significant at p < .001. Our research shows that resting heart rate can be a robust predictor of criminal conduct when the latter is quantified precisely and objectively with criminal records. This directs further research in this field towards measuring AB using methods less sensitive to impression management and informant bias, not relying on self-report but on documented behaviour vides empirical support to the validity of codified principles of criminal law as ways of expressing offenders’ level of social misconduct.

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‘Jigsaw fit’ analysis: The key to solving difficult forensic cases

Author(s): Maciej Świętek / Language(s): English Issue: 130-131/2022

This paper presents ‘jigsaw fit’ analysis, which is an aspect of mechanoscopy (tool mark examination) helpful in solving difficult forensic cases. Its use can lead to categorical conclusions in the reconstruction of the course of an incident. Examinations of this kind entail the matching of items separated due to breakage, fracture or tearing. The task of an expert in this field is to resolve the question of whether or not the items belonged together before they were separated. This paper describes three examples of cases involving ‘jigsaw fits’.

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Comparative study of rose and hibiscus petals powders in latent friction ridge analysis

Author(s): Vanisha Godara,Vinay Aseri,Sneha Lohar,Poonam Kumari,Badal Mavry,Varad Nagar,Ashrut Singhal,Apoorva Singh,Kumud Kant Awasthi,Mahipal Singh Sankhla / Language(s): English Issue: 130-131/2022

Fingerprints are the friction ridges found on the fingers and palm of hands. These prints are considered the most valuable evidence in the court of law as these ridges provide uniqueness to every individual. Powder dusting is one of the prevalent approaches to developing fingerprints on various surfaces. This involves the application of finely formulated powders on the fingermark impression using a camel hair brush. in this article, we have used organic household waste materials like rose and hibiscus petals for developing the powders used in latent fingerprints development. The particle of powder gets adhered to sweat and moisture deposited on the surface of fingers, palm, and sole, which provide effective visualization and give the fingerprint details (minutiae). Finally, the formulation of the powder sticks to the ridges, and the excess powder is blown away. The powder is multicolored in this case, the patterns are apparent, resulting in an exceptional outcome. The objective of the study is to provide a replacement to the conventional, expensive and toxic laboratory powders. These organic powders are easily available, eco-friendly, cost-effective and non-toxic approach for latent fingerprint development and is a reliable technique to use at crime scene and future use.

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Reliability of identification methods and expert testimonies according to participants of criminal proceedings

Author(s): Dariusz Wilk,Andrzej Doniec / Language(s): English Issue: 130-131/2022

The reliability of evidence in a criminal trial is a multidimensional issue and relates to the assessment of the evidential value of a specific circumstance established in the case through activities performed by expert witness or authorities. The reliability (trustworthy) of the source of evidence and identification methods, performance of research, deduction and the context of other evidence seem to be one of the important implications for the evidential value.Results of the survey of participants of the criminal trial (police officers, prosecutors and experts) and comparative group on the perception of various features of identification methods and selected aspects related to the status of a forensic expert is presented in the article. In the first part of the study, the identification methods were ranked in terms of their scientificity, reliability and willingness to convict on the basis of the method’s results. The research shows that the assessment of the method’s reliability is significantly correlated with the assessment of its scientificity. However, some exceptions to this relationship have been identified, indicating that the reliability of the method may also be the result of an assessment of its suitability and effectiveness. The second part of the research was focused on assessing the reliability of various expert opinions. The place of examinations carried out by an expert is important for the participants of the criminal trial. Opinions of forensic experts performed at specialist institutions were assessed as the most reliable.

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Current state and prospects of forensic-medical diagnosis of drowning: A review of the literature

Author(s): Volodymyr M. Voloshynovych,Natalia M. Kozan,Viktoriia M. Voloshynovych,Julia Z. Kotsyubynska,Marian S. Voloshynovych,Galina M. Zelenchuk,Valeriia O. Chadiuk / Language(s): English Issue: 129/2022

The article describes the current possibilities of forensic medicine in the diagnosis of death by drowning, as well as reflects the different views of the authors and the evolution of approaches to this issue. Despite the constant interest of scientists in the topic of drowning and extensive research on this issue, there are still many white spots. Researchers are trying to identify more specific changes characteristic of drowning and possible methods to detect them.The main evidence based method of diagnosing drowning at present is the detection of diatomic plankton in the tissues of isolated kidneys by light optical microscopy. However, microscopic examination and identification of diatomic plankton require a lot of time and accurate taxonomic examination. Also, a disadvantage of this method is that the methods of processing the material sent for research, as a result of the use of concentrated acids for the destruction of organs, greatly complicates and sometimes eliminates the possibility of detection of diatomic plankton. In some cases, the presence of diatoms during drowning is so small that it is impossible to detect them by microscopy. In such cases, the presence of phytoplankton DNA detected by PCR in tissues during drowning is almost the only method for diagnosing drowning. Nowadays there has been a lack of research in the field of forensic medicine related to the use of evidence-based medicine, especially in the field of drowning.

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Overview of bimetallic nanomaterials used for visualization of latent fingerprints on various surfaces

Author(s): Vilas A. Chavan,Devidas S. Bhagat,Ajit K. Gangawane / Language(s): English Issue: 129/2022

This review focuses on the current trends in the use of doped metallic nanomaterials in forensic science for the development and detection of latent fingerprints (LFPs) on various surfaces which provide better fingerprint image quality. The advantages and important results of studies conducted on latent fingerprints detection with various doped metallic nanomaterials are critically discussed. We also glimpse on fluorescent nanoparticles that have succeeded in producing high-quality fingerprint images which lead to the extraction of all three levels of fingerprint features. A few metallic nanomaterials used for latent fingerprints detection did not produce high-quality fingerprint images failing extraction of all three levels of fingerprint features. To overcome this forensic problem more research is needed to improve the latent fingerprint detection abilities of doped metallic nanomaterials.

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Evaluation of the Investigator 26plex QS and SureID PanGlobal systems in forensic analysis and comparison with commonly used NGM PCR Amplification Kit

Author(s): Magdalena Marcińska,Agnieszka Parys-Proszek,Maria Wróbel / Language(s): English Issue: 129/2022

The aim of the study was to evaluate the novel kits – Investigator 26plex QS and SureID PanGlobal in forensic analysis and confront with commonly applied NGM PCR Amplification Kit. The internal validation study involved sensitivity, reliability, stochastic, DNA mixtures, inhibition parameters analysis and 15 casework samples extracted from blood, saliva, semen, tooth, bones, soft tissue and epithelial cells. The sensitivity experiments were performed on a total of 24 samples from seven serial dilutions of 007 control DNA. Mixture analysis was performed for two persons in different proportions using 9947 and 007 control DNA. Inhibition effect was tested using PCR inhibitor – humic acid. Among three compared kits the highest sensitivity was noted for Investigator 26plex QS considering the total number of the markers in each system, as well as the shared set of markers. However, low PCR efficiency of D6S1043 locus was observed with aforementioned kit. Mixture analysis performed with Investigator 26plex QS, SureID Pan Global and NGM kits, considering shared set of markers revealed that NGM Kit is the most sensitive for detecting minor components in a mixture. Similarly, we demonstrated that NGM is the most successful in the analysis of challenging forensic samples. The internal validation showed that the Investigator 26plex QS and SureID PanGlobal have weaker performance for routine forensic application in comparison to NGM Kit. However, thanks to increased number of markers, these systems could be helpful in analysis of complex cases in paternity testing and kinship analysis, in which standard genetic analysis is insufficient.

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Cognitive distortions and recidivism in sexual offenders against children

Author(s): Filip Szumski,Dominika Bartoszak / Language(s): English Issue: 128/2021

Aim. The purpose of the study was to examine if cognitive distortions of various content presented by sexual offenders against children are related with sexual recidivism risk and actual recidivism. To extend the reliability of the interpretation of its results, differences in the number of cognitive distortions exhibited by sexual offenders against children and controls and relation between cognitive distortions measured explicitly and implicitly are also examined. Method. 64 sexual offenders against children, 46 sexual offenders against adults, 74 nonsexual violent offenders, and 68 non-offending males participated in the study. Explicit and implicit cognitive distortions were measured by two newly created instruments. Sexual recidivism risk were assessed using Static-99. Data on conviction and actual recidivism were drawn from penitentiary files. Results. Implicit and explicit cognitive distortions were mostly unrelated. Offenders showed more cognitive distortions than non-offending males. Cognitive distortions were not associated with static sexual recidivism risk. In explicit measurement sexual recidivists showed more cognitive distortions of all types with sexual content than non-recidivists. Conclusion. Results of the study suggests that cognitive distortions with sexual content are criminogenic need. Thus, tackling them in treatment shall be contemplated.

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Suicide notes and motives for suicide in psychological reports compiled for the judiciary

Author(s): Teresa Jaśkiewicz-Obydzińska,Ewa Wach / Language(s): English Issue: 128/2021

To establish the motives for the act is one of the main goals of the psychological evaluation required by judicial process in cases of suicide. In many cases, this makes it possible to prove or falsify the hypothesis that a person’s death is the result of the actions of one or more other people who –in one way or another –have contributed to that person’s decision to take their own life. Sometimes, people who die by suicide leave farewell notes indicating the person or people directly responsible for their deaths. Although notes of this kind offer an important source of information about the emotional states of their authors and their relationships with their social environments, they remain subjective. Indeed, it is often the case that thorough reviews of all of the material in the cases concerned do not support the thesis that a third party directly influenced the deceased’s decision to end their own life. Moreover, in some instances, people who die by suicide have been found to have misled the people in their immediate environment. Nevertheless, where verified suicide notes exist, they remain a valuable source of information for psychologists. The article analyses ninety-three cases in which psychological reports were compiled to determine the motives for fatal suicide attempts. Suicide notes were found in thirty of these cases. The form and content of these notes are examined, and the options for their use in forensic reports are considered.

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PC-Crash modelling of vehicle movement after tire slipping off the rim

Author(s): Jakub Zębala,Wojciech Wach,Piotr Ciępka / Language(s): English Issue: 128/2021

The possibility of modelling in the PC-Crash program of the motion on curved trajectory of a car whose rear wheel tire got unsealed, which resulted in the pressure drop to the atmospheric pressure, which was followed by the tire bead slipping off the rim, is analysed. The authors, using the results of the road tests they performed, reconstructed in the PC-Crash program the actual movement of the car. Next, they performed a number of simulations applying a bilinear model of a tire of default and modified characteristics as well as a TMeasy model. The effect of the change of wheel-to-road surface friction coefficient was also analysed. To compare the simulation results, the function of quality was employed whose value is the measure of the difference between the vehicle position and orientation obtained in simulation and the real ones. The most favourable results were reached when the TMeasy tire model was applied and the friction coefficient of the deflated tire on the distance between the point of the tire slipping off the rim and stopping was reduced.

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Target backcloth, series length, and the accuracy of geographic profiling. Simulation analysis of target backcloth, series length, and the accuracy of geographic profiling

Author(s): Michał Górski / Language(s): English Issue: 126-127/2021

The main aim of this research was to establish a minimum series length when crime opportunities are not distributed at random. In addition, the behaviour of two methods of assessing the accuracy of a geographic profiling algorithms were analysed. The second objective was to analyse the existence and properties of the buffer zone in the created model. For the purpose of this research, a simulation was used. Data showed significantly different behaviour in the two tested methods of assessing the accuracy of geographic profiling, with hit score percentage being the significantly more sensitive measurement. The tests allowed all of the effects attributed to the buffer zone to be obtained, despite the fact that it was not included in the model itself. For series as long as nine offences accuracy in non-random conditions was similar to series length five and uniform distribution of opportunities.

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Comparison of Gurumukhi and Latin scripts in handwriting identification: A forensic perspective

Author(s): Amanpreet Kaur,R. K. Garg,Meenakshi Mahajan / Language(s): English Issue: 125/2021

The present study has been carried out to study the possibility of handwriting comparison in cases where document under question is inscribed in different language and the available standards are in other language. The aspect is prevalent in the field of languages since people around the globe are being attracted to learn new languages, but their native language always has some impact on the next learned languages. Punjabi is the first language taught in the schools of Punjab and other languages afterward. Punjabi is the mother tongue of Punjab area and in contemporary times most of the population of Punjab leaning towards learning English language. For this study, 1200 samples in Punjabi and English from 100 individuals who studied English as well as Punjabi and using these languages on a daily basis were collected and analyzed. Class characteristics like alignment, slant, size, the arrangement of a piece of handwriting, connections, fluency line quality of handwriting along with the characters of letter form and formation were considered and the results were further analyzed statistically using Chi-square test. The results of the present study revealed the handwriting written in distinct scripts is similar and comparable with each other. Additionally, the study will help correlate a person’s handwriting with ethnicity, nationality, and region based on the characters present in the handwriting samples.

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Reflections on the nature of individuality in the process of identifying handwriting and signatures

Author(s): Janusz Dziechciaruk / Language(s): English Issue: 125/2021

The fundamental principle of identification, based on the condition that there is a unique combination of independent discriminating elements in handwriting, is analysed. The results of experiments conducted on distorted handwriting suggest that there may only be one handwriting habit that is responsible for the individuality of handwriting. By analysing disguised and simulated signatures and applying the isochrony principle, it seems reasonable to conclude that the mutual interaction between the speed of writing and the curvature of a graphic line is the only habit, and the quality of a graphic line the only feature responsible for the individuality of handwriting. The article introduces a number of ideas for evaluating the quality of a graphic line during handwriting examination, and a number of new opportunities for research into biometric electronic signatures.

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The accuracy of geographic profiling methods based on the example of burglaries in Warsaw

Author(s): Michał Górski / Language(s): English Issue: 125/2021

In the current study different geographic profiling methods were tested on a sample of burglaries in Warsaw. Overall 38 crime series were included in study, accuracy was measured as hit score and error distance. Results show limited obtained accuracy, comparably lower than what can be seen in similar tests conducted in western cities, but each method also shows improvement with series length. This shows that it is possible to use geographic profiling in polish setting, but also that there are significant limitations that one has to consider.

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The views of judges and prosecutors on the opinions of psychologist expert witnesses in cases concerning witness testimony

Author(s): Joanna Kabzińska / Language(s): English Issue: 125/2021

The purpose of this qualitative research is to explore the perceptions of Polish judges and prosecutors regarding the role of psychologist expert witnesses in the evaluation of eyewitness testimony. Two main research questions were formulated: What are the criteria for selecting psychologist expert witnesses to participate in interviews and then to formulate expert opinions? What do judges and prosecutors expect from psychologist expert witnesses and their evaluations of eyewitness testimony? In-depth interviews were conducted involving judges (N = 31) and prosecutors (N = 30), both male (N = 35) and female (N = 26). Though other factors, such as availability, were also frequently mentioned, the judges and prosecutors declared that their choices of psychologist expert witnesses were predominantly determined by their professional abilities. These criteria correspond with the characteristics that judges and prosecutors claim to value the most in psychologist expert witnesses: their specialist fields, their experience, and their reliability in carrying out their work. It is of particular importance to the evaluation of witness testimony that judges and prosecutors recognize that, for an opinion to be complete, there is a need for psychological testing and diagnosis in addition to being present at interviews. However, judges and prosecutors do not always recognise the difference between legal conceptions of witness credibility and the assessments of it formulated by psychologist expert witnesses. The research provides an unique insight into the expectations of Polish judges and prosecutors regarding the role of psychologist expert witnesses in evaluating, and reporting on, witness testimony. To identify the aspects of psychologists’ opinions that are particularly valued by judges and prosecutors can enable better cooperation and communication between psychologists and legal professionals.

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