Law Enforcement Research Articles

Effect of UV exposure on DNA deposited on drug capsules.

Illicit drugs are often made in less-than-sterile environments and can be stored in ways which can be detrimental to any DNA present, such as whether they are exposed to UV radiation. Previously, analysis of how exposure to UV impacted DNA for forensic applications has been in controlled laboratory conditions isolating a single component of UV radiation and often on DNA-rich samples such as bloodstains or saliva. To evaluate DNA persistence in more realistic conditions, capsules, such as those used to distribute controlled substances, were manually made and then packed into ziplock bags. The persistence of DNA deposited on capsules was examined when left indoors in either, complete darkness, direct sunlight in high UV conditions (summer) or in low UV conditions (winter) for three weeks in ambient room temperature. The DNA yield, STR DNA profile quality and degradation index were all analysed to determine the impact of varied UV exposure on DNA in a semi-temperature-controlled environment. Capsule samples exposed to high UV conditions had significantly reduced DNA yields, a lower number of alleles from the capsule handler and, thus, reduced likelihood ratios compared to capsules exposed to darkness and low UV conditions. Samples exposed to either darkness or low UV had little-to-no differences in all DNA quality measures tested. Despite a decreased DNA yield and poorer quality DNA profiles, capsules left in high UV conditions for three weeks have sufficient DNA for DNA profiles with over half the genetic information present. The storage conditions of drug capsules, either before or after seizure by law enforcement, can impact the DNA persistence in as little as three weeks, which is problematic for often already low concentrations of DNA in trace samples.

Effects of States' Methods for Estimating Nonfatal Overdose, United States, 2021.

Previous nonfatal overdose is a key risk factor for drug overdose death; however, current nonfatal overdose surveillance is limited to people who receive medical attention. We identified states that tracked nonfatal overdoses treated in prehospital and hospital care settings, assessed the effects of different surveillance methods on the magnitude of nonfatal overdose estimates, and estimated states' nonfatal-to-fatal overdose ratio. Two analysts independently reviewed state websites to characterize states' methods of capturing nonfatal overdose events from December 2022 through February 2023. We collected information on surveillance methods in 5 states that met the inclusion criteria, including data source, measure specification, drug(s) involved, and whether states performed deduplication or published mutually exclusive measure specifications to capture unique events across care settings. We calculated nonfatal-to-fatal overdose ratios to assess the effects of different data sources on estimates of nonfatal overdoses. Illinois, Maine, North Carolina, and West Virginia used syndromic surveillance data and New Jersey used hospital discharge data to track nonfatal overdose-related emergency department visits. Illinois and West Virginia tracked nonfatal overdose-related encounters with emergency medical services. Other states tracked opioid overdoses reversed following naloxone administration by emergency medical services, law enforcement, and community members. Maine, New Jersey, and West Virginia published nonfatal overdose information by using mutually exclusive measure specifications; the number of nonfatal overdoses per fatal overdose in these states ranged from approximately 5:1 to 14:1. Establishing a standard framework to combine data from existing national surveillance systems in prehospital and hospital care settings can improve nonfatal overdose estimates and enable comparisons between jurisdictions to help decision makers identify areas most in need of essential services.

AAPI Mental Health, Law Enforcement, and Training: Part 2

AAPI Mental Health, Law Enforcement, and Training: Part 2

Soil data from the Barbastro-Balaguer gypsum belt, NE Spain.

The dataset [1] hosts pedological info and images of the lands -locally known as chesas- of the outcropping gypsiferous core of the Barbastro-Balaguer anticline (Fig. 1). It stands out in the landscape for the linear reliefs due to outcrops of dipping strata with differential resistance to erosion, and also because of its whitish color (Fig. 2) and gypsophilous vegetation. This gypsum outcrop was named in the 19th Century [2] as a gypseous belt, and has been further studied by other geologists like [3,4] and by civil engineers e.g. Hué and Llamas [5]. Traditionally chesas were rangeland, with sparse almond and olive trees and rainfed winter cereals confined at the flat -and often terraced- valley bottoms, or vales as known in NE Spain. The chesas have attracted the attention of botanists [[6], [7], [8]], foresters [9,10], and soil hydrophysical properties researchers [11]. Moreover, public interest is increasing as the administrations are establishing rules for nature protection in the gypseous lands, e.g., a demarcation of 137 km2 set within the chesas was declared a Special Conservation Area "ES2410074 Yesos de Barbastro", and then protected by the Habitats Directive of European Union. Also, plant physiologists are focusing on the adaptations of plants to gypsum as reviewed by Escudero et al. [12]. No soil map is available, but according to [13,14] the Gypsic Haploxerepts [15] are dominant. In the absence of a soil map, our dataset can help in the decisions to be made by the authorities, as is the case for water allocation to irrigated estates both in operation and planned, or for authorizations for the spreading of pig slurry. The herein presented soil data were collected with the classical techniques of pedological prospection. The dataset [1] contains the scans in .TIFF format of 150 whole thin sections of the soils, under both plane polarized light (PPL) and cross polarized light (XPL). Moreover, this dataset directs to a freely downloadable book [16] with the corresponding pedological descriptions, chemical and physical analyses, hydrophysical data, and scanning electron microscope images of the soils, plus micrographs of relevant pedofeatures of thin sections seen under petrographic microscope. The dataset [1] also presents a .xlsx file with an English translation of all figure captions of [16], including those of micrographs, and two more .xlsx files with analytical data. All data can be reused directly by naturalists, engineers, technicians and public servants in charge of environmental law development and enforcement, as well as by people involved in citizen science activities. Thin sections remain stored at EEAD and can be examined at our premises upon request.

Mortality in a cohort of WTC-exposed law-enforcement officers compared to non-WTC law-enforcement officers.

World Trade Center (WTC) rescue/recovery workers were exposed to materials hazardous to health. Previous studies found lower than expected mortality among WTC rescue/recovery workers when compared to general populations, possibly due to healthy worker effects, better healthcare access and/or incomparability of the groups. We compared mortality rates in WTC-exposed law enforcement officers (LEOs) with rates in LEOs employed by the Buffalo, NY, Police Department. We also compared both cohorts to the general population. Follow-up began at the later of one year after enrollment date or 1/1/2005 and ended at the earlier of death date or 12/31/2018. Analyses were restricted to ages 40-79 years (N = 11,476 WTC LEOs, N = 1668 non-WTC LEOs). We estimated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) in each cohort using stratum-specific US mortality rates. Relative rates (RRs) and 95% CIs were estimated for the WTC vs. the Buffalo cohort using Poisson regression models adjusted for sex, race, age-group, and calendar-period. 185 deaths were observed in the WTC cohort and 186 in the Buffalo cohort. All-cause and cause-specific SMRs were significantly lower in the WTC cohort. Similarly, the adjusted all-cause mortality RR for the WTC vs. Buffalo cohorts was 0.30 (95% CI = 0.23-0.40). The cause-specific mortality RRs were all significantly < 1. We found lower overall and cause-specific mortality rates in WTC LEOs compared with both the general population and Buffalo LEOs. These results suggest that factors other than healthy worker effects, such as access to healthcare via the WTC Health Program, contribute to lower mortality rates in WTC rescue/recovery workers.

Computational Investigation of Pristine, Al-, and Ga-Doped Zn12O12 nanoclusters as Detection Platforms for Methadone in gas and solvent phases

Electrochemical sensors are emerging as promising tools for point-of-care diagnostic medical devices, benefiting from advancements in nanomaterials. These nanomaterials enable the development of smaller, more sensitive, and selective sensors while reducing fabrication and maintenance costs. This work presents a comprehensive theoretical investigation of the potential application of pristine, Ga- and Al-doped Zn12O12 nanoclusters for detecting methadone, a critical analyte in various medical and law enforcement applications. Employing density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP-D level with the 6-311G (d, p) basis set, we have elucidated the interactions between these nanoclusters and methadone. The results reveal that methadone exhibits intense adsorption energies of -41.02, -39.79, and -59.77 kcal/mol on the pristine Zn12O12, GaZn11O12, and AlZn11O12 nanoclusters, respectively, in their most stable configurations. The doped nanoclusters, GaZn11O12 and AlZn11O12, displayed significant gap energies (Eg) changes upon methadone adsorption, indicating enhanced sensitivity towards this analyte. The UV-Vis spectroscopic analysis showed that methadone adsorption on the GaZn11O12 and AlZn11O12 nanoclusters led to distinct spectral shifts and oscillator strength variations compared to the Zn12O12 nanocluster. The transition theory calculations highlighted the GaZn11O12 nanocluster's short recovery time of 0.44 seconds, a crucial attribute for practical applications. Solvent effect studies demonstrated the stability of the methadone/GaZn11O12 complex in water and revealed its heightened polarization, as evidenced by the increased dipole moment. These findings suggest that the GaZn11O12 nanocluster is a promising candidate for detecting methadone in gas and liquid phases, with favorable attributes such as high sensitivity, rapid reversibility, and stability in gas and aqueous environments. Thus, this nanocluster can be used in sensor devices.

Avertible filicide: a call to action for early intervention and mental health support in India.

Maternal filicide is a deeply distressing and potentially preventable phenomenon that demands priority attention. This study aims toshed light on the psychological, social and systemic factors contributing to maternal filicide. It calls for robust early intervention strategies and the establishment of comprehensive mental health support systems to mitigate the risk and prevent the occurence of such tragedies.. A detailed evaluation of a mother who committed filicide was undertaken The assessments included in-depth psychiatric evaluations, interviews with family members, review of the individual's medical history, prior social circumstances, and existing legal records. This comprehensive approach allowed for the identification of potential warning signs and gaps in intervention. Additionally, a review of existing literature and national frameworks related to maternal mental health was undertaken to contextualize the findings within the broader socio-cultural and healthcare landscape of India. The case highlights a complex interplay of untreated mental health disorders, social stigma, lack of accessible mental health services, and a failure to recognize warning signs by family members and professionals. The analysis reveals missed opportunities for intervention that might have prevented the act of filicide. Key contributing factors included postpartum mental health issues, socio-economic stressors, and inadequate social and legal support for the mother. This case underscores the need for systemic changes, including improved mental health screening during the perinatal period and the establishment of crisis intervention services. Maternal filicide is not solely a legal issue but also a multifaceted public health and social problem that warrants a multidisciplinary response. The findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach involving healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement agencies to address the mental health challenges faced by mothers in distress. Early identification of at-risk individuals, destigmatization of mental health care, and the provision of timely interventions are pivotal in preventing such tragedies. This study underscores the urgency of implementing mental health policies that prioritize maternal mental health, enhance public awareness, and ensure the availability of accessible, culturally sensitive support systems for at-risk families.

The profile and detection of bribery in South Korea

Bribery, including its various forms such as political contributions and gift-giving in return for favourable treatment in government tenders, present a challenge for law enforcement authorities around the world. While bribery undermines the well-being of people, the rule of law, and harms market competition around the globe, the vast majority of white-collar-crime research is Western focused. This paper is the first significant analysis of the profile and detection of bribery involving perpetrators convicted in South Korea. Based upon a sample of 174 cases involving 198 convicted individuals collected through searches of the media and other relevant sources, we explore the profile of both bribe payers and bribe takers. The paper finds that South Korean prosecuted bribers are predominantly male public administrators involved in cases with the monetary value associated with bribery within the $10,000 to $99,999 range. The South Korea policing authorities predominantly focus on policing bribery of their public administrators and there is only limited evidence that they are able to do the same on the supply side of bribery, and against their own corporations. Unlike in other countries such as the UK and Norway, the South Korean enforcement landscape is associated with higher prison sentences and monetary sanctions, and a high degree of secrecy with laws mandating a rapid destruction of case files, and therefore a very limited publicly accessible information about the detection source. The paper contributes to the economic criminology literature by offering insights into the characteristics of bribery in South Korea and South Korean anti-bribery response in a rarely researched area.

Enhancing automatic license plate recognition in Indian scenarios

Automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) technology has gained widespread use in many countries, including India. With the explosion in the number of vehicles plying over the roads in the past few years, automating the process of documenting vehicle license plates for use by law enforcement agencies and traffic management authorities has great significance. There have been various advancements in the object detection, object tracking, and optical character recognition domain but integrated pipelines for ALPR in Indian scenarios are a rare occurrence. This paper proposes an architecture that can track vehicles across multiple frames, detect number plates and perform optical character recognition (OCR) on them. A dataset consisting of Indian vehicles for the detection of oblique license plates is collected and a framework to increase the accuracy of OCR using the data across multiple frames is proposed. The proposed system can record license plate readings of vehicles averaging 527.99 and 2157.09 ms per frame using graphics processing unit (GPU) and central processing unit (CPU) respectively.

EMS3D-KITTI: Synthetic 3D dataset in KITTI format with a fair distribution of Emergency Medical Services vehicles for autodrive AI model training.

Contemporary research in 3D object detection for autonomous driving primarily focuses on identifying standard entities like vehicles and pedestrians. However, the need for large, precisely labelled datasets limits the detection of specialized and less common objects, such as Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and law enforcement vehicles. To address this, we leveraged the Car Learning to Act (CARLA) simulator to generate and fairly distribute rare EMS vehicles, automatically labelling these objects in 3D point cloud data. This enriched dataset, organized in the KITTI 3D object detection benchmark format by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Toyota Technological Institute, improves its utility for training and evaluating autonomous vehicle systems. To bridge the gap between simulated and real-world scenarios, our methodology integrates a wide range of scenarios simulation in CARLA, including variations in weather conditions, human presence, and different environmental settings. This approach enhances the realism and robustness of the dataset, making it more applicable to practical autonomous driving scenarios. The data provided in this article offers a valuable resource for researchers, industry professionals, and stakeholders interested in advancing autonomous vehicle technologies and improving emergency vehicle detection. Furthermore, this dataset contributes to broader efforts in road safety and the development of AI systems capable of handling specialized vehicle identification in real-world applications.

Association between periodontitis and physical fitness in law enforcement workers.

Oral and periodontal health have been linked to systemic health, cardiovascular disease and inflammation markers. Physical fitness has been linked to increased inflammatory response, but only few studies have investigated the association between oral health with physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between oral and periodontal health status and physical fitness in British law enforcement workers. 89 subjects were recruited between November and December 2019. Cardiopulmonary fitness was measured by Maximal Oxygen Uptake (VO2max) (ml/kg/min) and Maximum Load (Loadmax) (W) generated at the end of the Bruce incremental treadmill test; physical activity levels through accelerometers; functional strength tests by Countermovement Jump (CMJ) Power (W) and Height (cm) average. Oral variables included percentage of sites with PPD > 4mm (% PPD > 4), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) and Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Linear regression models were adjusted for age, gender and fat %. Mean age was 41.5 years (range 23-61; 71.9% male). Higher % PPD > 4 was consistently correlated with lower Loadmax (-4.96; p = 0.092), CMJ Height average (-0.39; p = 0.064), and press-ups in 60s (-0.85; p = 0.052) though the associations were not statistically significant. FMBS was associated with the % of a day spent in sedentary (0.78; p = 0.030) and light activities (-0.75; p = 0.022). Periodontitis may be negatively associated with certain components of physical performance. Oral health status may be associated with physical fitness and functional strength.

Is the Problem with Antitrust Law or Antitrust Enforcement?

Is the Problem with Antitrust Law or Antitrust Enforcement?

Analyzing the Impact of Over Speeding of the Vehicles in the Society

Over-speeding is a leading cause of business accidents, performing in significant losses and severe injuries worldwide. According to WHO, speed is a contributing factor in roughly 30 of road deaths in high- income countries and nearly 50 in lowand middle- income countries. Controlling vehicle speed is pivotal to precluding crashes and minimizing the inflexibility of injuries. Traditional styles of speed control and business law enforcement are frequently shy in effectively managing and reducing over-speeding incidents. To address this issue, recent studies have explored colorful technological results, similar as the Automatic E-Challan System, IOT- grounded business violation systems, and RF- grounded vehicle discovery. These systems use advanced technologies like detector networks, image processing, and radio frequence to cover business, descry violations, and issue penalties automatically. These approaches aim to enhance enforcement effectiveness, ameliorate business operation, and reduce road accidents. Our exploration focuses on integrating an automated speed discovery system that not only cautions motorists when they exceed speed limits but also contributes to reducing road accidents by administering compliance with business regulations. This result is anticipated to ameliorate road safety by precluding over-speeding and icing timely interventions.

Analysis of Law Enforcement Against Children as Perpetrators of Violent Theft: A Case Study of the Southeast Aceh Police

Analysis of Law Enforcement Against Children as Perpetrators of Violent Theft: A Case Study of the Southeast Aceh Police

Billy-Buddy against Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has become a pervasive issue in the digital age, affecting individuals across demographics and causing significant psychological, emotional, and social harm. Despite various attempts to address this problem, existing solutions often fall short in providing comprehensive support, particularly in victim care, privacy preservation, and real-time intervention. This paper presents a holistic framework that integrates cutting-edge technologies such as Natural Language Processing (NLP), machine learning, and secure data handling to combat cyberbullying effectively. At the core of this framework is an empathetic AI-powered chatbot, “Billy,” designed to provide victims with real-time emotional support and actionable guidance. Billy uses advanced sentiment analysis to detect distress and offers tailored responses, helping victims navigate the emotional and procedural aspects of cyberbullying incidents. Additionally, the system facilitates anonymous reporting of perpetrators, ensuring victims’ privacy and safety through robust encryption and secure data management. The proposed framework includes a real-time cyberbullying detection mechanism capable of analyzing online interactions, identifying harmful content, and providing immediate feedback. Statistical tools analyze incident data to identify high-risk regions, enabling law enforcement to prioritize resources effectively. The system also incorporates educational initiatives to raise awareness about cyberbullying, promote safe online practices, and encourage proactive prevention.

An investigation of the factors associated with public trust in the Sierra Leone Police

The stability and legitimacy of police institutions rely heavily on public confidence in law enforcement. In Sierra Leone, the public's trust in the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has been influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including colonial history, post-conflict issues, economic disparities, and ongoing accountability concerns. Despite efforts to implement reforms and initiatives like community policing, public opinion of the SLP remains divided, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive examination of trust-influencing factors. While existing studies emphasize the importance of police effectiveness, procedural fairness, openness, and responsibility, there are still gaps in understanding how these elements interact in post-conflict environments. This research utilizes a quantitative methodology, employing a cross-sectional survey to gather data from 169 SLP personnel across various ranks and departments. Using structured questionnaires, the study assessed perceptions of police performance, community policing efforts, and media impact. The data was then analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through SmartPLS. Findings reveal that police performance is a crucial factor in fostering public trust, with transparency and accountability also playing significant roles. Community policing initiatives showed limited success due to implementation difficulties, while media portrayals considerably shaped public perception. Ongoing issues such as corruption and historical grievances continued to undermine trust. These results emphasize the necessity for targeted reforms addressing corruption, enhancing transparency, and improving community engagement. To rebuild trust and promote collaboration between law enforcement and the public in Sierra Leone, it is essential to strengthen media strategies and effectively implement community policing initiatives.

Regulating the Unregulated: Competition Law as a Tool to Combat High Drug Prices in Pakistan

Current prospects of the industry indicate that Pakistan has considerable problems in controlling drug prices in the pharmaceutical industry that are thus potentially inaccessible to its population. It reveals that high price and anti-competitive behaviors are still endured by customers while competition law exists, especially due to monopoly, cartel and ineffective regulation. In the current research it has analyzed the function of competition law in relation to too high-priced drugs in the context of Pakistan. Using the data based on the analysis of the legal regulation, historical evolution, and cases, the study determines the shortcomings in existing legislation and regulation that facilitate the possibility of price manipulation. It also looks at the possibility of making competition law as the best way of enhancing fair price, market competition and consumers protection. The paper makes recommendations for improving the status of competition law enforcement in Pakistan and encourages policy changes, improvements in the institutional capacity of law enforcement agencies, and improved cooperation between the public and private sectors.

An Examination of Emergency Vehicle Traffic Management and Control Systems

Emergency response is crucial for keeping the public safe and ensuring the well-being of individuals in critical situations. The prompt and efficient deployment of emergency vehicles is necessary to minimize response times and reduce potential harm to people and property. This comprehensive survey paper explores various approaches, strategies, and technologies used to optimize traffic flow for emergency vehicles. It begins by emphasizing the importance of swift emergency vehicle response, particularly in medical emergencies and law enforcement. The paperthen examines current methodsfor managing traffic and the challenges that hinder the timely movement of emergency vehicles, such as congestion, infrastructure limitations, and communication problems. Additionally, it presents case studies and real-world examples that demonstrate the effectiveness and challenges of different strategies for optimizing traffic flow. The survey also delves into the ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and societal impacts associated with prioritizing emergency vehicles.

Assessment of noise pollution and specific mitigation measures to reduce it in educational settings and its impact on students' academic performance: A review

Noise pollution causes many problems in the educational process and adversely affects the performance of educators and students. This study reviewed the research, studies, surveys, and questionnaires on the subject and examined the effects of noise pollution on the academic performance of students and certain mitigating measures to control it. This document provided a comprehensive overview of noise measurements, comparison with guidelines/standards, factors affecting noise in college and university campuses, external and internal noise sources in the educational environment, effects of noise on health and student performance, sound quality of classrooms, and noise reduction. The results of the review revealed that most academic students are exposed to noisy environments, which have significant physiological and psychological effects on health. The review recommended certain noise control and management measures that include the use of noise barriers, construction of green spaces, design of noise reduction infrastructure, implementation of awareness programs, strict enforcement of laws and noise regulations, the development of advanced noise control technologies, integrated strategies, and sustainable environmental planning to reduce the menace of noise pollution.

Modernizing law enforcement: A technical deep dive into distributed case management systems

This article presents a comprehensive technical analysis of Distributed Case Management Systems (DCMS) in modern law enforcement operations. The article examines how these systems address the challenges of processing exponentially growing digital evidence, which has increased by 312% since 2019. Through implementation of microservices architecture and advanced caching strategies, DCMS demonstrates significant improvements in evidence processing efficiency, achieving 83% faster analysis times and improving accuracy rates from 67% to 94%. The article details the system's architectural components, including real-time collaboration frameworks processing 2.8 million queries per second and security implementations maintaining NIST 800-53 compliance. Performance metrics indicate a 79% increase in cross-jurisdictional case resolutions and 71% reduction in evidence verification times. The article also explores emerging technologies integration, including quantum-resistant encryption and blockchain-based evidence integrity systems processing 12.5 million transactions monthly.