Chinese Journal of Forensic Sciences

The Integrated Development Path of Forensic Appraisal in the Modern Chinese Public Legal Service System

YANG Kai

2024(6): 1-15. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.001

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Forensic appraisal is the scientific cornerstone for civil judicial procedures and a key link in the modern public legal service system. It plays a forward-looking role in ensuring judicial justice and improving judicial efficiency. It is deeply involved in the settlement mechanism of complex social conflicts and disputes, and strives to maintain social order and stability. Its core value lies in procedural legitimacy and conclusion appropriateness, which are closely related to the value judgment in the judicial process, reflecting the organic combination of technology and law, as well as the in-depth practice of the principle of fairness and justice. The characteristics of forensic appraisal include inclusiveness, openness, stability and guarantee. It integrates with other legal service mechanisms such as notarization, mediation, arbitration, legal aid and lawyer system to jointly promote the construction of a modern Chinese public legal service system and provide more comprehensive and efficient legal support and scientific guarantee for social governance.

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On the Integrated Development of Arbitration and Forensic Appraisal in Public Legal Service

WANG Ling, XUE Jiao

2024(6): 16-24. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.002

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As two important components of public legal service, arbitration and forensic appraisal have common features such as consistency of purpose, commonality of evidence, legitimacy of procedure and neutrality of position. In order to solve the barriers and problems existing in the practice of the two in practice, it is necessary to pay attention to the necessity of their integrated development, strengthen the division of labor and cooperation under the legal framework with the guidance of the symbiosis and the theory of value complementarity of the rule of law principle, and uphold the modernization theory of integrated development, explore diversified dispute resolution mechanisms, and adhere to judicial support and supervision. Through the integrated development of the two, explore a new reform practice path in the new era to effectively solve the practical barriers between the two in terms of service logic conflict, lack of complementary mechanism and non-smooth connection of procedures. To this end, it is necessary to strengthen the connection and cooperation between arbitration and forensic appraisal, strengthen institutional cooperation and information sharing, optimize the service process and standards in the cooperation process, strengthen the training and introduction of talents, and promote the international development of the integration between arbitration and forensic appraisal.

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Appraisal Consultation: The Public Legal Service Function of Forensic Appraisal Institutions

ZHU Rui

2024(6): 25-35. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.003

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For a long time, appraisal consultation has not received sufficient attention. As a public good, it is characterized by non-rivalry and non-excludability, capable of generating significant social benefits. The evaluation of its social effectiveness is based on professionalism, service quality, and cost efficiency. The primary social function of appraisal consultation is to prevent and resolve disputes, thereby contributing to the reduction of aggregate social expenditures. This function is central to its role as part of public legal service. To fully bring into play the potential of appraisal consultation, it is strategically essential to ensure coordination between forensic appraisal and other public legal services, as well as alignment with litigation services, while promoting regional collaboration. From a development standpoint, this requires strong government involvement alongside efforts to invigorate market participants. At the same time, the public-private partnership （PPP） model should be actively explored and practiced to optimize the operation mechanism of the public legal service system.

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The Prospects of Multimodal Artificial Intelligence Identification in Forensic Pathology

HUANG Ping

2024(6): 36-43. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.004

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Traditional forensic pathological identification has primarily relied on methods such as on-site inspections, case analysis, autopsies, and histopathological examinations, all of which highly depend on the personal experience and subjective judgement of the examiners. After centuries of practice, this mode of identification has been the cornerstone of the forensic pathology. However, with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence （AI） technologies, particularly the emergence of generative AI technologies, the application of AI in forensic pathology has evolved from analyzing single-modal data to processing multimodal data. This paper aims to delve into multimodal AI technologies and their data integration strategies in forensic pathological identification, especially the potential application scenarios and developmental prospects in forensic pathological identification. Additionally, this paper discusses the challenges and ethical issues that might arise with the implementation of multimodal AI technologies in forensic pathological identification practice and offers insights on how to overcome these obstacles.

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Science and Justice through Research and Innovation:Review of the 26th Triennial Meeting of the International Academy of Legal Medicine

WANG Yahui, LIU Ningguo, WANG Feixiang, ZHANG Ji, DONG Hewen, ZHANG Hui, YU Xiaotian, XIA Wentao

2024(6): 44-49. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.005

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The 26th Triennial Meeting of the International Academy of Legal Medicine was held in Athens, Greece, from May 21 to 23 2024. As the most influential international academic event in the field of legal medicine, it has attracted more than 600 forensic experts from 54 countries to discuss the latest research results and technical developments in the field of legal medicine. A total of 182 scholars had conference communication and 290 experts took electronic poster exchanges. It covered many specialties such as forensic pathology, forensic clinical science, forensic anthropology, forensic toxicology, and forensic biology, and at the same time integrated the application of artificial intelligence in academic frontiers such as forensic anthropology, forensic pathology, forensic toxicology, criminal investigation techniques, and scientific research paper writing. It was worth mentioning that artificial intelligence not only performs well in imaging and pathological recognition, but also shines in proteomic analysis. All in all, the conference highlighted the importance and necessity of interdisciplinary innovative scientific research, and further elaborated that the essence of achieving scientific justice lies in continuously carrying out innovative research work.

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Pharmacological Functions, Illicit Abuse and Forensic Appraisal of Etomidate and Its Derivatives

WANG Peixia, CAO Xintao, WANG Chen, CAO Boyang, ZHANG Lingling

2024(6): 50-57. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.006

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Etomidate is a clinical anesthetics that became popular and rapidly spread in 2022, and was quickly listed in October 2023. After listing, the control of etomidate will be carried out according to narcotic standards. Starting from the newly listed etomidate, this review systematically summarizes the pharmacological functions of etomidate and its clinical derivatives, and outlines the clinical testing and analysis of etomidate and its derivatives, as well as the testing technical specifications in forensic practice and forensic appraisal. Responding to the new drug abuse situation as “substituting drugs for narcotics”, work suggestions are proposed from five aspects: tracing the origins of clinical anesthetics and psychotropic drugs, the monitoring of derivatives of narcotics, the filing of raw materials and equipments for narcotics synthesis, the control of new types of narcotics carriers, and the standardization of analyzing methods. The aim is to provide work suggestions and reference for curbing the illegal abuse of clinically legal drugs represented by etomidate, as well as scientific management and effective crackdown on narcotics.

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P300 in Psychiatric Impairment Assessment during Psychiatric Disorders Caused by Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

ZHANG Shengyu, WANG Shujian, LI Haozhe

2024(6): 58-62. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.007

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Objective To explore the role of P300 in impairment appraisal during psychiatric disorders caused by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage（TSAH）. Methods Sixteen patients who met the criteria for organic mental disorders （only caused by TSAH） according to the 10th version of the International Classification of Diseases （ICD-10） were included, along with seventeen healthy controls matched for gender, age, and educational level. P300 detection was conducted on the participants using a visual Oddball paradigm; meanwhile, assessments were made using scales such as the activity of daily living （ADL） scale and the social disability screening schedule （SDSS）. Results The P300 amplitudes at points Fz, Cz, CPz, and Pz in the TSAH group were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group （P<0.05）. The P300 latencies at points Cz, CPz, and Pz in the TSAH group were prolonged compared to the healthy control group （P<0.05）. There was a negative correlation between the amplitudes at points Fz, Cz, CPz, and Pz with the ADL scale and SDSS scores in the TSAH group (P<0.05). Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the P300 latencies at points Cz, CPz, and Pz with ADL scale scores and the P300 latency at point Pz with the SDSS scores in the TSAH group (P<0.05). Conclusion The amplitude of P300 can reflect the severity of mental disorders caused by TSAH, with lower P300 amplitudes indicating more severe conditions. P300 amplitude can serve as a reference indicator for psychiatric impairment appraisal during psychiatric disorders caused by TSAH.

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Analysis of Allele Drop-out in the Application of STRtyper-21G (Plus) Kit in Forensic Genetics

MAO Huafen, XU Tianlong, ZHOU Baocheng, YIN Ting, TANG Xinxin, WANG Leilei

2024(6): 63-68. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.008

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Objective Analyze the drop-out of alleles in the STRtyper-21G （Plus） kit in forensic genetics application, explore its impact on identification results, and propose solutions. Methods Using the STRtyper-21G （Plus） kit, 20 autosomal short tandem repeat (STR) loci of 2 540 blood stains were directly amplified. Capillary electrophoresis was used to analyze the genotypes of each locus. For samples containing loci that do not in accordance with Mendelian inheritance, the STRtyper-32G kit was used for validation. Results After verification by the STRtyper-32G kit, it was found that 9 individuals in 5 cases had allelic drop-out detected using the STRtyper-21G （Plus） kit, involving three loci：D7S820, D19S433, and D18S51. Conclusion In the practice of forensic genetics, using any detection system for detecting STRs may result in allele drop-out and inaccurate paternity test results. To ensure the accuracy of paternity test results, other detection systems with the same locus can be used for verification.

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Study on Appraisal Methods for Hazardous Characteristics of Mixed Solid Waste: A Case Study of Mixed Sludge

CHENG Kuan, XIE Hang, DONG Ruyin, GUO Xueyan, XU Guifeng, MA Dong

2024(6): 69-76. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.009

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Objective This study aims to establish a comprehensive hazardous waste appraisal method for mixed solid waste, to ensure the scientific rigor and accuracy of the identification process. Methods Using the forensic appraisal of hazardous mixed sludge waste as an example, this study adopted a comprehensive analytical approach, applying precise initial screening techniques to identify characteristic pollutants. It further assessed corrosive, toxic, reactive, and flammable hazardous properties of the solid waste to effectively complete the hazardous waste determination. Results The mixed sludge was identified as lacking corrosive, toxic, reactive, and flammable properties, and therefore, it did not qualify as hazardous waste. Conclusion The combined approach of precise initial screening and hazardous properties analysis significantly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of forensic appraisal of hazardous waste, providing a practical model for identifying hazardous properties in complex solid waste.

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A Substantive Approach to the Review of Appraisal Opinions in Cases of Job-Related Crimes

WANG Xiaoguang

2024(6): 77-85. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.010

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The supervision legislation clarifies the legal evidentiary qualifications of appraisal opinions. Appraisal opinions are mainly applicable to bribery and embezzlement cases in supervision, with judicial accounting and price determination as the main types. The defendants and defense lawyers’ questions focus on the appraisal methods, appraisal subjects, and appraisal procedures, but the judges’ review of the appraisal opinions is relatively formal, and almost all of the appraisal opinions submitted by the Supervision Commission are adopted. Problems such as the low rate of appraisers appearing in court and the ambiguity of the legal status of quasi-appraisal opinions such as price determination reports still exist, which affects the court review and cross-examination effectiveness of appraisal opinions. To improve judges’ review of appraisal opinions, the following actions could be taken：bringing in professional and technical personnel to assist judges in their review, establishing a system of substantive review rules, strengthening the protection of defendants’ procedural rights, and reforming the system for the categorical management of forensic appraisal.

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Research on the Evidence Evaluation System of Criminal Appraisal Opinion

YU Xiujun, YU Xiongfei

2024(6): 86-92. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.011

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The application of appraisal opinions in litigation is an important achievement in judicial activities. However, because of the natural science attribute of appraisal opinions, it is difficult for the all parties who originally had difficulty in judging special issues，in the evaluation of the appraisal opinions. For example, in terms of laws and regulations, the relevant provisions in China on evidence evaluation of appraisal opinions are scattered and not systematic, so that the procedure is not standardized. In practice, the problem of repeated appraisal is still prominent. The weakness of all parties in the review of contradictory appraisal opinions, and the wrong cognition of the effectiveness of the appraisal opinions are all the causes of the dilemma of the evidence evaluation system of criminal appraisal opinions. In face of the situation, we should improve the compulsory appearance system of important appraisers to testify in court, the system of expert assistance and relevant supporting measures, so as to address the concerns of all parties quickly, effectively and orderly, to realize the optimal allocation of resources, and to achieve full cross-examination, and to realize the substantive cross-examination.

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Research on the Dishonesty of Forensic Appraisal Institutions from the Perspective of Two-Layer Credit

ZHANG Zhengchang, LI Peilin

2024(6): 93-99. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.012

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Some forensic appraisal institutions commit acts of dishonesty in commercial and judicial services, which have caused damages to the operation of the forensic appraisal market and the credibility of the judiciary. The use of credit tools is a useful way to solve the problem of dishonesty in forensic appraisal institutions. The Law on the Construction of Social Credit System （Draft for Public Comments） regulates the issue of dishonesty from the perspective of two-layer credit of business integrity and judicial credibility, which provides a feasible solution and normative basis for the resolution of the problem of dishonesty in forensic appraisal institutions. In the future, we can take the basic law on credit construction as the core, build a two-layer normative system of business integrity and judicial credibility to enhance the normative supply of regulation of forensic appraisal institutions’ dishonesty, build a unified forensic appraisal management agency, realize the two functions of optimizing market regulation and strengthening law enforcement, and form a synergy between moral and legal levels to regulate forensic appraisal institutions’ dishonest behavior, which will help to solve the problem of dishonesty of forensic appraisal institutions.

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Status and Problem Analysis of Accreditation of Proficiency Testing Provider in the Field of Forensic Appraisal in China

HAN Chunxu, JIA Rujing, HAO Qi

2024(6): 100-107. DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1671-2072.2024.06.013

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The accreditation of proficiency testing provider (PTP) in China has gone through more than 20 years. Along with its development, the accreditation of PTP in the field of forensic appraisal is emerging and developing gradually, and has now become one of the accreditation of PTP. Compared with the accreditation scopes of PTP and condition of conducting proficiency testing（PT） in foreign countries, this paper sorts out the nonconformities of accreditation assessment of PTP in the field of forensic appraisal and condition of PT in China, analyzes the current status and existing issues, and puts forward suggestions for improving the accreditation of PT in the field of forensic appraisal in China.

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