Beyond the Cold Hit: Measuring the Impact of the National DNA Data Bank on Public Safety at the City and County Level

2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 396-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew Gabriel ◽  
Cherisse Boland ◽  
Cydne Holt
Keyword(s):  
Public Safety ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
County Level ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Dna Profiles ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Criminalistics laboratories routinely provide cold hits in police investigations by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes to offenders residing in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Forensic DNA analysis is often glamorized in popular culture, where the perpetrators are identified and crimes solved within a single television episode. In reality forensic DNA hits can identify perpetrators of violent offenses, link multiple crimes committed by the same individual, or exclude suspects and exonerate the falsely accused. Unlike the media portrayals, downstream activities after a DNA identification or cold hit are often more complex. While the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) cites a national Data Bank of more than 7.2 million DNA profiles and 94,000 identifications nationwide, an in-depth analysis of public safety improvements made with CODIS is currently unavailable to forensic practitioners and public policy analysts. A review of case resolutions for 198 DNA database hits in San Francisco created performance metrics to provide a concrete measure of the effectiveness of DNA databasing efforts at the city and county level.

Turning Base Hits into Earned Runs: Improving the Effectiveness of Forensic DNA Data Bank Programs

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederick R. Bieber
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Biological Samples ◽  
Data Bank ◽  
Crime Scene ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Potential Harm ◽  
The Public ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Dna Profiles ◽  
Data Banks

Forensic data banks contain biological samples and DNA extracts as well as computerized databases of coded DNA profiles of convicted offenders, arrestees and crime scene samples. When used for investigative and law enforcement purposes, DNA data banks have been successful in providing key investigative leads in hundreds of criminal investigations. A number of these crimes would never have been resolved without use of such data banks. In addition, in some limited number of investigations, the exclusion of known suspects whose DNA profiles are known to be in an offender database can save valuable investigative time.Despite the above benefits, in hundreds of cases DNA samples are never collected and administrative and laboratory logjams delay prompt database searches. Furthermore, hundreds of DNA database matches (hits) languish, without any followup by law enforcement or prosecutors. These prevent or delay DNA matches and therefore can leave the public in grave risk of potential harm from recidivistic offenders who otherwise could have been apprehended and convicted if the process functioned more effectively.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Soundscape Factors Influencing Perceptions of Square Dancing in Urban Streets: A Case Study in a County Level City in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jieling Xiao ◽  
Andrew Hilton
Keyword(s):  
Daily Basis ◽  
County Level ◽  
Urban Streets ◽  
Site Survey ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Related Group ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

Square dancing is a popular music-related group physical exercise for health benefits in China mainly participated by mid-aged women and elderly people. This paper investigates the soundscape and enjoyment of the square dancing in urban streets through a case study in Lichuan, a county level city in southwest China, in December 2017. It examines the impact of gender, age, participation and places on perceptions of square dancing soundscape. Two sites along two main urban streets in the city were selected to conduct onsite investigations where residents spontaneously perform square dancing on a daily basis. Ethnographical observations were conducted to identify the social-physical features and sounds of both sites during the dance and without dance. Sound pressure measurements (LAeq and LAmax) were also conducted under the two conditions. An off-site survey was distributed through the local social media groups to understand residents’ everyday experiences and perceptions of square dancing in the city; 106 responses were received for the off-site survey. T-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for statistical analysis of the survey data. The results show gender does appear to be a factor influencing the regularity of participation in square dancing, with a bias towards more female participants. Participation frequency of square dance has an impact on the enjoyment of square dancing. There is no correlation between the dislike of watching square dancing, or dislike of the music and a desire to restrict locations for square dancing.

The impact of the Prüm treaty on the Portuguese forensic DNA database—A brief review

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 745-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Brito ◽  
A.M. Bento ◽  
N. Gouveia ◽  
L. Sampaio ◽  
F. Balsa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
The Impact

Effect of sea breeze regime on aerosol optical properties over the city of Rome, Italy.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Di Bernardino ◽  
Anna Maria Iannarelli ◽  
Stefano Casadio ◽  
Gabriele Mevi ◽  
Monica Campanelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Optical Properties ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Tyrrhenian Sea ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

<p>Mesoscale meteorological phenomena, such as sea-land breeze regime, strongly impact meteorological conditions of coastal areas, affecting wind intensity, moisture, heat and momentum fluxes and polluted air masses dispersion. This effect must be considered in order to correct design urban spaces, predict the possible influence of land use change on air pollution and climate change and, consequently, improve the quality of life and urban comfort.</p><p>In recent years, it has been shown that the breeze regime does not only affect microclimatic conditions but also air quality in coastal areas, because of the mixing of different types of aerosols and condensable gases. Moreover, the advection of marine, colder and more humid air leads to the decrease of the boundary layer height and, consequently, to the increase of the surface concentration of locally emitted pollutants, that are trapped within the boundary layer itself.</p><p>The effect of breeze regime is particularly interesting in coastal cities, where the sea breeze entails large modification of physical, optical, chemical, and hygroscopic properties of the urban aerosol.</p><p>In this work, we developed an approach to determine the breeze effect on aerosol in correspondence of the BAQUNIN [1] Super-site urban location, in the centre of Rome, Italy. The city is about 28 km far from the Tyrrhenian coast and is often exposed to sea-breeze circulation and to extreme aerosol events [2] [3].</p><p>In-situ measurements obtained from different remote sensing instruments are used: (i) vertical profile of horizontal wind velocity and direction by means of SODAR wind profiler; (ii) moisture, air temperature and wind speed from ground-based meteorological station; (iii) aerosol optical depth (AOD), height and evolution of the Boundary Layer from Raman and elastic LIDAR; (iv) precipitable water, AOD, Ångström exponent (AE) and single-scattering albedo (SSA) from sun-photometer CIMEL [4], (v) AOD, AE and SSA from POM 01 L Prede sun-sky radiometer [5][6], (vi) superficial NO<sub>2</sub> and formaldehyde amounts from PANDORA spectrometer [7], (vii) particulate matter (PM<sub>2.5 </sub>and PM<sub>10</sub>) concentrations from ground-based air quality station.</p><p>The investigation is focused on several days, during summer of 2019, characterized by anemological breeze regime conditions.</p><p>In this study, we present preliminary results aimed to the in-depth analysis of the effects of the breeze regime on the optical properties of aerosols in coastal, urban environment and the impact of the aerosol vertical stratification on ground-level PM concentrations.</p><p> </p><p>References:</p><p>[1] BAQUNIN Boundary-layer Air Quality-analysis Using Network of Instruments, www.baqunin.eu</p><p>[2] Petenko I. et al. (2011) “Local circulation diurnal patterns and their relationship with large-scale flows in a coastal area of the Tyrrhenian sea”, Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 139:353-366.</p><p>[3] Ciardini V. et al. (2012) “Seasonal variability of tropospheric aerosols in Rome”, Atmospheric Research, 118:205-214.</p><p>[4] AERONET, https://aeronet.gsfc.nasa.gov/new_web/index.html</p><p>[5] EUROSKYRAD http://www.euroskyrad.net/</p><p>[6] Campanelli M. et al. (2019) “Aerosol optical characteristics in the urban area of Rome, Italy, and their impact on the UV index”, Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussion.</p><p>[7] PGN, https://www.pandonia-global-network.org/</p>

Functioning of DNA Database in Poland

2017 ◽  
Vol 297 ◽  
pp. 59-65
Author(s):  
Anna Jurga ◽  
◽  
Jakub Mondzelewski ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Police Work ◽  
The Other ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Criminal Cases ◽  
Dna Databases ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Small Collection ◽  
Dna Profiles

Forensic DNA databases that operate in the zone forming an interface between science and law have the purpose of gathering and processing DNA profiles for the needs of law enforcement and judicial authorities responsible for preventing and combating crime. Therefore, their appropriate functioning is important. On one hand, it improves efficiency of police work and, on the other hand, it has to play a required role in protecting citizen rights and personal data. The National DNA Database has functioned in Poland since 2007. Its effectiveness is correlated with the number of stored profiles. Despite small collection the Database has on numerous occasions proven its high usefulness in solving criminal cases. The possibility of carrying out searches in other countries databases, as well as legislative and organisational undertakings aiming at improvement of the Database operation are gradually bringing effects and result in an increased detective potential of this tool.

scholarly journals Management of public safety with the use of visual monitoring in the city and county of Walbrzych

Management ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-336
Author(s):  
Tadeusz Tabaczniuk
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Study ◽  
Crime Rate ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Video Monitoring ◽  
Monitoring Systems ◽  
Visual Monitoring ◽  
Eu Countries ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
The Eu

Summary The paper presents basic legal conditions related to the operation and types of video monitoring systems. These considerations include the attempt to diagnose the impact of the use of video monitoring systems on the number of new cases initiated on the basis of the crime rate in the area of the city and county of Walbrzych. The article contains a comparative study based on this indicator in the studied area, in Poland and the EU countries.

scholarly journals Support for the Forensic DNA Database and Public Safety Concerns: An Exploratory Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-117
Author(s):  
Monica Pivetti ◽  
Antonella Caggiano ◽  
Filippo Cieri ◽  
Silvia Di Battista ◽  
Chiara Berti
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Public Support ◽  
Criminal Code ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Criminal Offenders ◽  
The Past ◽  
Legal Literacy ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
Procedure Code

Background: Over the past few decades, 32 European countries have introduced a national DNA database containing samples and/or profiles from suspected/convicted criminal offenders and biological materials from crime scenes. However, only a few studies have empirically investigated opinions on such a practice and the psychosocial factors possibly predicting public support or opposition. Objective: This study aims to preliminarily explore public support for a national DNA database in Italy. In particular, the role played by psychosocial factors, such as concern over individual rights vs. public safety, as well as genetic and juridical/legal literacy in the public’s acceptance of a forensic DNA database, was investigated. Method: Within a correlational study, a written questionnaire was administered to a sample (N = 242) of university students. Results: Participants generally showed support for a forensic DNA database. Concerns over public safety predicted the acceptance of a DNA database, with those valuing public safety being more supportive of its implementation, whereas no role was played by familiarity with the fundamental mechanisms of genetics and with the Italian Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. Conclusion: Empirical research on this issue could provide policymakers and the police force with a better picture of the psychosocial factors underlying public support for the DNA database.

The Disclosure of Quality on Tourism Performance: Evidence from Top Tourist Cities in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 004728752095454
Author(s):  
Yanyan Gao ◽  
Wei Su
Keyword(s):  
County Level ◽  
Difference In Differences ◽  
Tourism Promotion ◽  
City Tourism ◽  
Quality Disclosure ◽  
Heterogeneity Analysis ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Tourism Economy ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City

This article takes advantage of the designation of top tourist cities in China to estimate the impact of quality disclosure on the city tourism economy. According to theories regarding quality disclosure and certification, we develop a tourism promotion hypothesis for the designation, which is then tested with panel data from China’s 284 prefectural-level cities between 2000 and 2015. The difference-in-differences approach shows that gaining the designation increases both domestic and inbound tourism revenues, which is robust to various specifications. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the tourism promotion effect only persists for about three years, decreases over time, is smaller in developed areas, and is less salient for multiple or county-level designations.

scholarly journals Is Obtaining an Arrestee's DNA a Valid Special Needs Search Under the Fourth Amendment? What Should (and Will) the Supreme Court Do?

2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Maclin
Keyword(s):  
Sex Offenders ◽  
State Legislatures ◽  
Recidivism Rate ◽  
Forensic Dna ◽  
Dna Database ◽  
The Supreme Court ◽  
Law Enforcement Officials ◽  
Scientific Accuracy ◽  
Dna Profiles ◽  
Forensic Dna Testing

In the past twenty years, advances in forensic DNA technology have revolutionized the American criminal justice system. The use of forensic DNA testing in America began in 1987, and its demonstrated scientific accuracy quickly led jurisdictions to accept expert testimony regarding DNA matches between suspects and crime scene evidence. Wielding the power to exonerate the innocent and apprehend the guilty, the use of DNA identification technology has become an indispensable resource for prosecutors and law enforcement officials, as well as for defense lawyers representing persons falsely accused or wrongfully convicted of crimes they did not commit. As states began to compile DNA profiles from convicted offenders, the need for a repository for these profiles resulted in the DNA database.Originally, DNA databases included only “those classes of offenders with a high recidivism rate, such as sex offenders and violent felons.” Recognizing the crime-solving potential of this technology, state legislatures soon began to expand the scope of DNA database statutes to include broader classes of offenders.

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