Detecting Modern Slavery on Cannabis Farms: The Challenges of Evidence

Funder: University of CambridgeAbstract Research Question To what extent could police identify victims of modern slavery among growers arrested on cannabis farms as suspects under drug laws, and what challenges of evidence would have to be met to separate offending from victimisation? Data A purposive sample of criminal history data of all Vietnamese nationals arrested for cannabis cultivation offences in Surrey/Sussex in the 3 years to 2017 (N = 19) was identified and collected. Three ‘cannabis farm’ cases from the period 2014–2017 were analysed to produce key information about growers, including their nationality, criminal history and possible status as modern slavery victims. The case records and interviews provide key information about the extent to which growers on farms were treated as slaves under the 2015 Modern Slavery Act. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the three arrested growers to explore their lived experiences of recruitment and labour on the farms. Arresting police officers were also interviewed to explore how they frame the problem of cannabis cultivation and make decisions about their role in confronting it. Interview transcripts were prepared for analytic purposes. All interviewees were informed that the research was focused on the management of the policing of cannabis farms alone and full anonymity was assured. Findings Five of the 19 Vietnamese nationals had previous criminal disposals. Of the remaining 14 individuals, five had no record and nine had various charges, but the prosecutions had not reached court. Of the three cases examined in depth, the arrested growers provided stories consistent with their having been trafficked and subjected to ‘debt bondage’. They described precarious journeys before being forced to work on UK farms. All three had been exposed to threats of violence or death for themselves and/or their families, should they attempt escape. Varying levels of mental and physical hardship were evidenced. There were a priori reasons to conclude that they were eligible to be considered modern slavery victims. When arrested, however, none had pleaded victimisation. Police officers demonstrated an ignorance of related legislation and varying levels of awareness of the possibility of modern slavery. They responded to the first impression made by the grower as a person culpable under drugs laws. Even where officers had concerns about modern slavery, no appropriate crime was recorded, and no formalised investigation followed. Conclusions Given reluctance or inability to frame the police response to cannabis farms under modern anti-slavery legislation, policing agencies should consider adopting more detailed practice guidelines to officers on how to react to the complex challenges involved, including the investigative opportunities that may help unearth modern slavery on cannabis farms through greater encouragement of victim accounts. </jats:sec

Genetic Polymorphisms Associated with Perioperative Joint Infection following Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The number of orthopedic procedures, especially prosthesis implantation, continues to increase annually, making it imperative to understand the risks of perioperative complications. These risks include a variety of patient-specific factors, including genetic profiles. This review assessed the current literature for associations between patient-specific genetic risk factors and perioperative infection. The PRISMA guidelines were used to conduct a literature review using the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Following title and abstract review and full-text screening, eight articles remained to be reviewed—all of which compared single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in total joint arthroplasty (TJA). The following cytokine-related genes were found to have polymorphisms associated with PJI: TNFα (p p p p = 0.002), and IL-1B (p = 0.037). Protein- and enzyme-related genes that were found to be associated with PJI included: MBL (p p p p p p < 0.028). This review compiled a variety of genetic polymorphisms that were associated with periprosthetic joint infections. However, the power of these studies is low. More research must be conducted to further understand the genetic risk factors for this serious outcome

Abstracts of The Second Eurasian RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium

This abstract book contains abstracts of the various research ideas presented at The Second Eurasian RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium.The RISK-2020 Conference and Symposium served as a perfect venue for practitioners, engineers, researchers, scientists, managers and decision-makers from all over the world to exchange ideas and technology about the latest innovation developments dealing with risk minimization