Recovering DNA from water traps as a behaviour of post-homicide clean-up, learnt from forensic awareness strategies

Television is one of the largest sources of messages and images in history (2) and is watched by billions, including those that would, or will, become perpetrators of serious crimes. (3). So, what messages or ideas are future perpetrators seeing? And what perceptions are they taking from the programs they tune into almost every day? Media demonstrates behaviour, and these common behaviours are what viewers cannot discriminate between reality and entertainment. (5) There are scant studies on what knowledge viewers gain from programmes with violent behaviours and their impact on their perception of reality. Could a potential perpetrator gain such information from cultivating media programmes that showcase the glamourous and fictional renderings of scientific investigations (6), such as Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) and Law and Order? The theory behind the cultivation of such media messages is that Forensic Awareness (FA) and Detection Avoidance (DA) form a cultural zeitgeist known as the CSI Effect (9). While the existence and impact of the CSI Effect continue to be studied and debated on its effects in the courtroom, a literature search exposes little published information about the potential effect on criminal activity. (15) Various forms of literature are compared and discussed on their involvement in criminal behaviour, from the judicial system, sexual homicides and prisoner studies, cultivation from the media, violence in films and current known forensic awareness and detection avoidance behaviours. A research gap inspired the project’s experimental aims from evaluating the minimal literature. Aiming to determine if potential criminals know they are performing detection avoidance behaviours as knowledgeable forensic awareness strategies. Criminals may manipulate or degrade evidence left behind through chemical agents and “washing” of the crime scene to adopt these forensic awareness strategies. The proposed project will determine if chemical manipulation prevents biological evidence, such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) through blood evidence, from being recovered at scenes. Or if degrative techniques also prevent blood evidence examination through presumptive and confirmatory testing. This project also aims to determine if a standard DNA recovery volume can be created, given the amount of blood recovered from the aqueous sink environment

Comparing cultural competence in graduating Master of Social Work and Nursing students

The purpose of this study was to compare cultural competence between graduating Bachelor of Nursing students and Master of Social Work students. The study participants consisted of 107 students who were graduating from either the MSW program or the Bachelor of Nursing program at California State University, San Bernardino. Participants were asked to complete a cultural competence survey and quantitative data analysis was utilized to compare cultural competence among respondents

Sulphur-isotope compositions of pig tissues from a controlled feeding study

Sulphur-isotope determinations are becoming increasingly useful for palaeodietary reconstruction, but knowledge of isotopic discrimination between diet and various tissues remains inadequate. In this study, we explore the sensitivity of δ34Stissue values to changes in δ34Sdiet values, sulphur isotopic discrimination between diet and consumer, and the potential impact of terrestrial vs. marine protein consumption on these discrimination offsets. We present new δ34S values of bone collagen, muscle, liver, hair, milk and faeces from ten mature sows, ten piglets and fifteen adolescent pigs from a controlled feeding study. The δ34Stissue values were found to co-vary with the δ34Sdiet values, the δ34Stissue – δ34Sdiet isotopic offsets (Δ34Stissue-diet) are small but consistent, and dietary protein source does not systematically alter the Δ34Stissue-diet isotopic discrimination. The outcomes of this study are of particular relevance to questions that are difficult to resolve using carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes alone, and will also be useful in regions where terrestrial, freshwater, and marine resources could have all potentially contributed to human diet

What are the perceptions of Phase 1 Military Instructors regarding their role?

The aim of this research was to investigate the perceptions of phase 1 military instructors regarding their role and perceived effectiveness in the delivery of teaching. It further examined, whether phase 1 instructors believe their current delivery methods and intuitional parameters allow them to provide a dynamic and less didactic learning experience. It, in addition, investigated their views and perceptions in to the military pre-employment instructional training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) that they have been offered. The dissertation followed a five chapter layout, firstly introducing and giving a detailed description into the manner in which military training is organised, then specifically analysing the organisation of military phase 1 training. The introduction further focused on the military instructor and how they integrate within the current military Army Instructor Functional Competency Framework. The literature review undertook a broad context of reading relevant to the subject. It explored other author’s views, opinions and facts in relation to the military instructor’s capability. It also focused on traditional instructional delivery methods and approaches, versus an innovative and learner focused approach. The literature review was vital, as it formed the basis of the methodology approach of the research. The research methodology used in this dissertation analysed the relationship and conceptual structure of the questionnaire and interview questions against specific quantitative and qualitative questions combining the overall research questions. Using different methodology of data collection for the research, the researcher hoped the data provided may point to certain themes within the findings and conclusions. 69 participants completed the paper questionnaire and 8 participants were interviewed. The findings of this research critically analysed the spectrum of perceptions from the military phase 1 instructor including both qualitative and quantitative data from the interviews and the questionnaires collection methods. The responses indicated that the military instructor had a positive approach to their delivery in producing the end result (trained recruit). The research indicated that the instructor perceived their training as somewhat basic in its delivery; but gave them foundation knowledge and skills to build upon. The main conclusions of this research found that the military instructor felt restricted to deliver the training within parameters set by the military stakeholder and going outside these was looked on as not acceptable. The added pressures from external organisations such as ‘Ofsted’, restricted instructors in their delivery model. The results also highlighted that many instructors perceived the use of technology in phase 1 training as a hindrance rather than a learning asset, there were a small majority of instructor who felt that technology could improve the delivery and support the modern technology savvy recruit