Paralegals role in the legal system

A paralegal plays a big role in the legal system. Under their supervising attorney they are responsible to perform many tasks. These include interviewing clients and witnesses, investigation facts, conducting discoveries and drafting pleadings and other documents. They are also called upon to perform administrative tasks as well. These may include conflicts checking and the very important Job of time keeping. To be able to perform these tasks effectively and to meet the rigorous demands of deadlines, a paralegal must possess certain skills. Skills common to all paralegals include resourcefulness, commitment, analytical skills, interpersonal skills, communication skills, professionalism, human relations skills, and soft skills. † Thomas F. Goldman & Alice Hart Hughes, Civil Litigation Process and Procedures, 1 5(2nd deed. 2012). Attorneys have the American Bar Association to enforce their ethical behavior, likewise paralegals have their own associations. â€Å"Two major legal a ssistant organizations that provide an ethical code for their members are the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NAP) and the National Association of Legal Assistants (INLAY' old.At 36. Under no circumstances should a paralegal misrepresent themselves as a lawyer. If they do they are committing the unauthorized practice of law. Ethical guidelines differ from state to state. Conflicts of Interest Is defined as â€Å"situations where the interest or loyalties of the lawyer and client may be or may appear to be adverse of divided. † old. At 36. An example of conflict of interest would be if a lawyer represents the husband In a divorce case then down the road represents the wife in a child custody case against the same former husband. This Is where conflicts checking plays a very Important role.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Harris Burgerron Essay

Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Dir. Don Siegel. Prod. Walter Wanger. Perf. Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan, Carolyne Jones. Allied Artist Picture Corporation, 1956. Film. , has much egalitarianism meaning as  Vonnegut, Kurt. â€Å"Harris Bergeron†. N. p. : Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, 1961. Print. These two great stories show us how the Cold War era was a time  when people would do anything to prevent themselves from being part of something they don’t want to be, for example, being a communist.During the Cold War Era, propaganda was displayed through the United States. With the message conveying that living under a communist country was a horrible thing. A few failed to recognize the threat, and fell to communism by betraying their country. But for the most part, the minds of Americans where set on stopping communism from spreading, and eventually getting rid of it at all costs. In The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Dr. Hill, pla yed by Kevin McCarthy, took on the role of warning other people what is happening in the town of Santa Mira, California.Resisting to fall asleep at all cost. Eventually getting to his goal of warning other people what horrible things that are to come if they don't take action against the Body Snatchers. In â€Å"Harrison Burgeron†, by Vonnegut Kurt, Harrison Bergeron was a complete failure according to his egalitarist government. Wanting freedom for everyone, he tries to send a message to everyone how the government should really be. He takes off the restraints of musicians, a ballerina, and himself on live television.Showing that freedom to do what what you want, and showing the best you can do at something, is the way to live. While doing so Harrison was killed during his attempt to set and show the example to other people how they should live. He was killed by Diana moon Glamopers, the Handicapper General there were a set of laws, the 211th, 12th, and the 213th Amendments to the Constitution required the people to be the same. But Harrison shows we cannot live this way.

Reinsurance Group of America and Fonterra

Reinsurance Group of America and Fonterra: Going for Unified Global Operations CASE STUDY QUESTIONS: The business value of these global system developments for the companies mentioned in the case is very high. In case of RGA, the employees can analyze data by client, contract, and product and can find client errors very easily. This has been made possible because data is not stored at one place. This is very important for supporting the reinsurance business. It has made it easy to manage the reinsurance business.The global system developments help RGA data validation and data quality. This enables better risk analysis, and retention analysis leading to greater profits. Similarly in case of Fonterra the upgrading of the Fonterra business so that that the silos at the diary group are of large stainless steel variety. The global systems program aimed at improving the supply chain of a diary giant from cow to manufacturing to storage to customers. RGA achieved these benefits because it w as relieved of the problem of worrying about how the business should be managed.In addition, the system helps strengthen data validation and data quality. These useful benefits were achieved by engaging the business and adapting its own practices to the demand of the situation. The company has achieved the benefits by setting up an integrated, multicurrency, and Multilingualism. 2. Trying to implement a solution all at once is not feasible because many clients have essential operations that run during normal working hours and cannot afford the luxury of having their entire operation close down for a lengthy period in time.Often, clients have front office staff that attend to these operations (such as call centers, help desks, etc. ), and they work in 24-hour shifts. This is why many clients approve of a phased implementation approach, and the project team must ensure that the phased implementation is possible. This approach involves implementing the solution to a certain amount of u sers and then rolling them onto the new solution, while the rest of the users are olled out in a similar fashion, until the entire solution is rolled out within the client environment. The phase approach works well because (1) there is minimal disruption to the clients operation, and (2) problems are resolved quicker. The phased approach could also be used if there is more than one department. The project manager could decide that implementing the solution in one department at a time could be more reliable than trying to roll out all departments at the same time. 3.

Week 7 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Week 7 - Essay Example Thus, artists through their works concentrated on individualism themes and reason in order to reform the society from reliance on traditional and faith-based ideologies. The anamorphic image in Hans Holbein’s The Ambassadors is in the skull. It represents Jean de Dinteville and his friend who acted as French ambassadors’ to England and the Republic of Venice respectively. The hierarchy of genres in order importance is history painting, portrait painting, genre painting, landscape painting, animal painting, and still life painting. History painting involved uplifting or inspirational messages on religious, historical, mythological, classical, or literary context. History painting marked the demonstration and conclusion of skills acquired within the academy system. Portrait painting is the second in the genre and is represented by large portraits of heroic figures for public viewing, and in some cases for private portraiture. This came after rigorous course by academy students to master the skill, which first started with drawing from plaster casts, copying the established portraits, and finally creating live models. Genre paintings involved scenes of ordinary life containing animals, landscapes, people, portraits, or touches of still life. The academy artists employed skills with occasional humor that put this genre in number three in the hierarchy. Landscape painting involved painting of art pieces whose focus was the portrayal of lovely sceneries of rivers, mountains, seascape, townscape, or countryside. This type of painting required less technical ability from the academy artists as compared to the first three genres. Animal painting in the fifth category dealt with painting of animals originating from the popularization of horse painting from 1724-1806. Finally, still life painting consisted of a representation of flowers, kitchen implements, fruits among other foodstuffs in a painting. Because

Describing the main points made by the graph (one page) AND Collecting Research Paper

Describing the main points made by the graph (one page) AND Collecting data for a period of 10 years on an economic variable for - Research Paper Example Its horizontal axis illustrates percentages of respective items relative to the nation’s gross domestic product while the horizontal axis represents period in years and communicates anticipated changes in effects of tax cut. ‘Extend Tax Policies’ is one of the major variables that the graphs illustrates and it demonstrates the anticipated trend of deficit. It is shown in a deep blue colour and has varying percentage, of the nation’s Gross domestic product, over time. The cuts would reduce deficit in the short run, over three-year period, before the deficit begins to increase. The graph further shows that the Conges will continuously nullify regulations to reduce Medicare payments. Another significant feature of the graph is the interest payment that the government is likely to occur based on its borrowings. The interest also has an increasing trend and the features suggest that the proposed tax cut was not a sound move. The graph is suitable for representin g the data that aimed at comparing different variables across time. It consolidates the variables in one graph and allows for easier comparison than if the variables were represented in separate simple line graphs. The use of different and visible colours also identifies effectiveness of the graph in communicating predicted changes in economic factors following tax cuts. The audience can easily identify differences in the sizes of each segment to understand the associated changes (Rampell, 2011; Mmerrier, Logan and Williams, 2007). Part 2: Data presentation on an economic variable Gross domestic product indicates a country’s level of productivity and is one of the major indicators of economic capacity and economic growth. The Gross Domestic Product at purchasing power parity is the total value of commodity that an economy produces and is valued in United States Dollar value (The World Bank, 2012). Changes in value of an economy’s currency therefore leads to correspondi ng changes in value of corresponding gross domestic product based on purchasing power parity (Brezina, 2011). It is therefore a reliable measure of an economy’s potential for comparison with other economies for economic decisions in the international set up. Its time series analysis in an economy also offers a basis for understanding economic trends in the given economy and allows for predictions. Consideration of growth rate instead of actual values simplifies analysis and represents both increments and decrements with positive and negative signs respectively. The following data represents growth in gross domestic product for Qatar based on purchasing power parity. The data has been retrieved from Index Mundi database. Table 1: Gross domestic product growth rate for Qatar based on purchasing power parity Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Growth (%) 7.75 3.35 -0.31 3.21 16.98 -1.88 11.08 3.14 1.82 -0.01 13.73 (Index Mundi, http://www.indexmundi.com/q atar/gdp_per_capita_(ppp).html) The following table summarizes descriptive statistics for the data. Table 2: Major descriptive statistics Mean 5.35 Standard deviation 6.19 Median 3.21 Range 18.86 Maximum 16.98 Minimum -1.88 The statistics shows that Qatar had an average growth rate of 5.35 percent in the ten-year period from the year 2000 to the year 2010. The median for the data was 3.21 percent but the mean is a better estimator because it considers both rank and quantity of the yearly gross domestic

Counceling (w3) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Counceling (w3) - Essay Example Therefore, psychologists and psychiatrist nowadays pay a great attention in solving family problems. Psychologists have been adopting a method in their counseling therapy called "Family Systems Theory". "[It] works with families and couples to nurture change and development," (Wikipedia1). This theory perceives the family as an independent and interdependent system. Therefore, this theory focuses on fixing any present damages between the parts of the family. In other words, the Family Systems Theory aims at repairing the relationships between the family members in order to end any stressful situations and solve any existing problems. There are several techniques which the therapist uses in order to reach his prime target. However, the main and most principle step is family meetings. "This offers the opportunity to discuss specific, practical issues and provides a safe space to talk about feelings that surround [the family] and long-term planning," (CareSupportofAmerica1). The therapi st meets with the family together trying to listen to their individual points of view. This step is considered to be extremely beneficial because the psychologist gets a fair chance of viewing the way each member of the family interacts with the other. Moreover, everyone gains an opportunity of knowing the other persons point of view, which can absolutely be a successful way of resolving a lot of current misunderstandings (Wikipedia1). The counselor within his sessions tries to point out and explain to the whole family different methods of dealing with problems and certain situations than the ones they have been adopting or using (Wikipedia1). In other words, the psychotherapist trains the family members how to alter their responses towards each other in certain situations in order to change their behaviors and thus prevent future conflicts. The family systems theory is used by psychologists all over the world.

Pandemic Flu plan Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pandemic Flu plan - Case Study Example that has seen heath experts and governments come together to formulate policies and plans on how to curb and mange influenza so as to reduce loss of life through such pandemic. Communities at their local levels have come up with ways to handle influenza so to protect the community members from suffering and deaths. This paper indicates a community plan outlines strategies to curb influenza in Glen Falls in New York. To enhance influenza review in Glen Falls, the plan shall initiate measures to protect community members from attacks and loss of lives as a result of flu. They include; This shall be meant to promote and boost the immunity of villagers through anti viral drugs and vaccine. Parents shall be advised to take their children fro vaccine so as to enable them withstand the effects of influenza. Immunization awareness shall be carried out to educate the people on the need to consider immunization as the possible solution for this challenge. Expectant mothers shall be advised to attend prenatal and antenatal care program in which vaccination and immunization for the unborn baby and the mother shall be done to offer remedy for this problem. To educate the community, seminars and workshops shall be carried out in the community to enlighten the people. Cultural dances and performances where by communal artists shall be used to perform and make skits more so in the evenings which shall bring together members of the community to learn on the need to take on immunization program to remedy influenza. Influenza pandemic requires proper planning that involves partie s of every level such as communities and families and individuals so as to slow and respond so as to recover from this disaster. This is because influenza has been identified to cause loss of life through illness making it a public threat. The plan will involve health care providers in advocating the control of influenza in the community. Hospitals shall print leaflets which shall have the information

Health Demand, Elasticity, Principle and Agent in Determining Demand Coursework

Health Demand, Elasticity, Principle and Agent in Determining Demand for Medical Care - Coursework Example The cited unique factors may be classified within the â€Å"health status† variable that impact expectation but their role are far too important in the healthcare setting to be relegated as a mere sub-factor. This is the case because the patients are the ones seeking care and that demand is initiated based on their healthcare needs. Afterwards, the physician then prescribes the quantity as well as type of treatment/medical product or service to be needed. For instance, a person is admitted into emergency care because of severe diabetes. Upon examination, the physician has determined that one of his legs has to be amputated in order to save his life. Here, the demand for the surgery and the medications entailed were determined based on the condition of the patient and the judgment of physician. I believe that if the patient is insured the impact of income and price may be diminished. This can also be highlighted in the dynamics behind the decline of price and its impact on dema nd. In conventional goods, a decline would precipitate demand. However, in the case of health care a decline in price, say, of a diabetes drug, would not immediately translate into demand or a significant change in the demand curve because it will be dependent on the number of diabetics and their need and health status. Imagine a situation where consumers have incomplete information about their health status and about the productivity of medical care. Examine the roles of the principal and the agent in helping consumers to determine the demand for medical care in the described situation. Provide at least one (1) detailed example of such roles in action to support your response. Let us suppose that the patient is covered by medical insurance. He is, in effect, the principal in this situation while the physician serves as his agent, acting in his best interest since his decisions are made to improve the patient's well-being. This is the ideal scenario where the agent recommends care services and medications for the client’s benefit. For instance, the physician could prescribe highly-paid and, therefore, effective procedures. The patient without any medical knowledge as to his condition or the treatment would not have known the difference between such procedures and low-paid primary care. But t he condition and the physician’s influence move the demand curve towards highly-paid care and specialties.

Changing for Better Outcome Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Changing for Better Outcome - Essay Example As application of CASS procedure would significantly reduce VAP cases, and any nurse working in units with vent-dependent clients should support the application of this procedure. Nursing accountability to clients would mean that they are accountable for implementing this practice safely. The application of the CASS procedure requires proper staff training, and nurses who care for vent-dependent clients should attend these training courses and in-services. Moreover, when nurses are competent to perform this procedure, they should strictly follow its guidelines. The additional mechanical suctioning apparatus only takes effect when monitored on hourly basis by nurses. The tubes may be disconnected due to built up pressure or by being accidentally hit by other staff members, thus frequent monitoring is a must. The aspiration function also stops automatically when the collection bottle for secretions is full. The negative pressure of the suctioning apparatus is set at proper level accord ing to secretion status of a particular client. Following evidence-based practice would guarantee for uninterrupted application of CASS procedure. To exemplify, the following sections present a potential client for such practice, as well as an understanding of my accountability as his nurse. VAP was not new to a vent-dependent client in my unit because this 59 year old male client had VAP almost monthly, if not biweekly. This client was in a comatose state. He had a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Capitalization of Gender in Edna Millays Essay Example for Free

Capitalization of Gender in Edna Millays Essay The sonnet has experienced many modifications and innovations throughout the ages. Edna St. Vincent Millay’s â€Å"I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed† and Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s â€Å"Sonnet 43†, both Petrarchan sonnets, have diversified and helped pave the way for future female poets. In order to address and capitalize on ideas of gender connected to sonnet form and content, Edna Millay and Elizabeth Browning both revolutionize the traditional male-dominated sonnet form as females, Browning expresses overly sentimental and passionate emotion through content and Millay contradicts the social norm of female sexuality as well through content. Millay and Browning revolt against the male-dominated sonnet. Popular among prominent male poets, the sonnet was deemed unworthy for females, as men were far more educated and capable of fulfilling its high standards and strict guidelines. Both poets proved common beliefs wrong by excelling in the sonnet form. They used the Petrarchan sonnet, playing close attention to rhyme scheme and using iambic pentameter. They even incorporated the Volta between the octave and sestet, while using the first three lines in the sestet to introduce the change in tone and the last three lines in the sestet to conclude, invariably identical to the traditional Italian sonnet. At a time where women did not even have the right to vote, Millay and Browning both struggled to find a place in poetry writing, especially the sonnet form in which their predecessors were all male. The literary cannon and the Romantic Era consisted of all male poets who directed the sonnets to their lovers in regard to express their profound appreciation. Love has been the preferred sonnet theme since the 1300’s when the sonnet was created and both, Millay and Browning, stuck with the same traditional concept of love and lust as their topic. Being one of the most popular, sought out forms of poetry, the sonnet was the perfect way for nineteenth-century women to get out into the limelight and start a feminist movement. Or possibly, women poets stumbled toward the sonnet form due to its oppressive rules of rhyme scheme, structural shifts, meter and syllable count, it provided them a ready-made metaphor, suggesting difficulties in communication. Extremely restrained, the sonnet form helped make inexpressibility apparent, it therefore presented women sonneteers with an irony that revealed their circumstances of restricted speech and forced silence. Female poets, who incorporated the strict sonnet form, at a time difficult for women to freely embark in the lyric tradition, did so only to promote gender variance. Elizabeth Browning uses exceedingly sentimental emotions in her â€Å"Sonnet 43†. She either does so for ridicule or freedom for women to express themselves. By the use of such diction she is using satire and mockery of overly melodramatic reactions and feelings of a typical woman. â€Å" With my lost saints! -I love thee with the breath,/ Smiles, tears, of all my life! (12-13)†, even with the usage of several exclamation marks, she creates emphasis on the over exaggeration. In her Sonnet 43, Browning proclaims the pleasure love brings and pleads for a complete surrender to love, which seems far too corny. Or perhaps, she is just being herself, demonstrating to fellow females to be confident and unafraid of articulating and communicating your feelings. Following the thematic convention of rhyme scheme and iambic pentameter, Browning either wants to represent stereotypical females with her portrayal of unrealistic sensations or she wants to prove that even a completely feminine sonnet can create attentiveness to gender difference. Edna Millay challenges the social standards of female sexuality. Millay’s poem explores a female-centred perspective which opposes the widespread male-dominated presumptions of women. It is indeed a very sexual poem, revealing her sexual attraction and intentions to a particular man. Female sexuality was silenced in those times and rarely did women speak so openly and fearlessly of personal matters. She created a new realm of subject matters to women authors and helped support a liberated approach to life. The style of her poetry is formal with typical meter and rhyme scheme. Critics have repeatedly pointed out her bizarre connection of conventional poetic forms and structures with completely unconventional ideas and expressions. We must recognize and appreciate Millay for revealing the love em and leave em tactic normally exercised by males. However, because of the poets reversed gender, this strategy seems more modern, harmless and considerably humorous. There is irony and originality in a female using such rebellious content, perhaps she is scrutinizing normal male intentions, as it is regularly the women who are hurt in the end because they long for a relationship while the men are only looking for sex. The form may receive validity of tradition while the content concurrently mocks tradition. With the help of this poem she gained a reputation of a free-spirited and revolutionary social figure whose work followed her commemoration of life. Edna Millays poem fights for sexual freedom originally claimed by men, it fights for equality of the double standard that exists, which inhibits female sexuality and encourages male sexuality. Writing as women has led them to run â€Å"counter to† their culture and â€Å"against the grain of time† to echo Pounds words. Edna St. Vincent Millays â€Å"I, Being Born a Woman and Distressed† and Elizabeth Barrett Brownings â€Å"Sonnet 43† redefine the standards of genre and gender norms. Millay and Browning both revolt against the regularly male sonnet form, they were attracted to its structural affinity to promote gender variance. Browning creates emphasis using ordinary female emotions, while Millay challenges normality of female sexuality. However at the same time there are distinct contrasts apparent, Brownings poetry has a feminine quality with such passion and sentimentality while Millays poetry has a masculine quality, as it resists sentimentality with her ability to look beyond the status quo and her completely opposite lifestyle of love affairs. However, both poets attempt to reconcile with convention while contributing to gender capitalization, hoping to establish diversification equally valid for females. Both are icons for womanhood, both are masters of the sonnet forms and both are nurturers of ambition, independence, outspokenness and flaunting sexuality.

Medical Uses Of Infrared Photography Cultural Studies Essay

Medical Uses Of Infrared Photography Cultural Studies Essay Tattoos have been an invaluable method for the identification of non skeletonised remains. The design and/or location of the tattoo can be substantially exclusive to provide adequate identification, and especially when combined with other distinguishing features they can definitively identify and individual. During an autopsy the pathologist will take note of tattoos just as they would any other distinguishing marks, such as birth marks, defects or scars. In cases such as mass disasters, it can sometimes be one of only few methods available for the initial examination of the remains. In 2001, Kingsholm et al studied several unidentified bodies and remains found in Danish waters, some of which had tattoos. Discovery and detailing of any tattoos can also aid in tracing unidentified bodies back to their cultural backgrounds, thus in some cases tattoos have important historical aspects. Tattoos can also indicate a history of incarceration (Mallon et al 1999) and in such cases the individual sporting this unique design may not wish to be easily identified. Repeat offenders for example, may choose to remove or alter their defining features and members of gangs or organised crime groups may wish to no longer be associated with that particular faction. Some tattoos may serve to connect one individual with another, such as love tattoos, which can also aid in identification of the individual sporting the design. Different light sources and filter techniques have been used routinely in criminal investigations; the following uses of infrared (IR) photography presented in this introduction are all relevant to this study as they go some length towards explaining the nature of infrared and therefore what might be expected, allowing for deduction of a hypothesis which is presented later in this report. Infrared describes the part of the spectrum just beyond the visible red wavelengths (700 1200 nm) There are many used of infrared photography spanning many different fields. For art photography purposes, Infrared can be used to photograph objects in the distance, or in foggy conditions due to the infrareds ability to penetrate the haze (Milsom 2001). For portrait photography, infrared is sometimes favoured to give the appearance of a clear complexion Infrareds (IR) ability to penetrate the superficial layers of the epidermis of skin is exploited in medical photography as a method of photographing venous patterns underneath the skin and of documenting healing under lesions in the skin. They found that imaging in the near-infrared range provided relatively good contrast of subcutaneous veins. This works due to the fact that haemoglobin is a chromophore that absorbs near infrared, and the skin absorbs very little IR relative to the absorption of infrared demonstrated by the veins (Haxthausen, 1933), or transmits or reflects most of the near infrared spectrum, therefore it appears lighter by contrast to the darkened veins. Zharov et al (2004) identified the potential of this technique as a diagnostic method for varicose veins at a depth of 1-3mm into the skin. The use of infrared photography for the detection of varicose veins or any other subcutaneous abnormalities is demonstrated by Marshall (1981). This research uses infrared reflectance (as well as ultraviolet) to measure the densities across pigmented lesions of the skin and found it to be a useful method. The study by Haxthausen (1933) found that for documenting superficial afflictions, such as psoriasis, ordinary photography was far superior to infrared photography, as under the infrared conditions, the imperfections were removed. Afflictions that occurred in the deeper layers of the skin were captured best using infrared photography. In cases of burn injury is can be difficult to assess the damage or the thermal burn depth. Anselmo et al (1976) found that infrared photography could be used as a valuable and non invasive method of assess burn depth. Their experiment used Wratten 89A infrared filter Infrared photography allowed for the differentiation between viable and necrotic dermis. Infrared photography of bloodstains and Gunshot residue Forensic applications of infrared photography include detecting gunshot residue on clothing (Bailey et al 2007) and less commonly, for detecting bloodstains on dark clothing or at crime scenes. A report by Raymond and Hall in 1986 illustrated a dark coloured sofa, showcased in the report as a black and white photograph for the visual spectrum comparison. In this photograph there is no obvious bloodstain, it cannot be distinguished from the rest of the sofa due to the dark colour of the sofa. The infrared photograph was taken using the Wratten #88a filter. In this photograph the sofa had lightened and now by comparison, the area of bloodstained sofa (now darkened by contrast) could easily be distinguished. When using infrared photography to detect and document traces of blood on dark clothing, the infrared will make the blood appear darker and the surrounding clothing appear lighter by contrast. This is all due to the absorbing capabilities of the clothing and of the blood. Blood absorbs throughout the visible spectrum and the near infrared spectrum (typically absorbing most wavelengths of near infrared 700-900nm) and so its appearance in infrared records will be darkened, in contrast the clothing might only absorb through the visible light range of the spectrum, and so in the infrared records will appear lighter, or transparent. Dark clothing can hinder the successful visualisation of blood spatter patterns in much the same way that darkened mummified skin can hinder the detection of tattoos, or that charring on a fire damaged document can affect the successful visualisation of the writing. A study by Perkins (2005) used digital infrared photography, Wratten #89B filter to photograph blood spatter on several different materials. The dark clothing appeared to reflect the infrared, thus enhancing the contrast between the clothing and the blood patterns. Bailey et al (2007) used digital infrared photography to better visualise gunshot residue on dark clothing. It is very similar in both methodology and results to the use of this technique in bloodstain analysis. The camera ISO was set at 200 and the filter used was the Wratten #87. The GSR, undetected under visible light conditions, appeared dark against a lightened cloth under IR. The use of infrared in analysis of obliterated writings and questioned documents Infrared photography also has many applications in the field of forensic science. It is a common method for detecting obliterated writing (Creer 1976) for detecting forged, or altered documents, such as cheques and to aid in the examination of writing obscured by charring on fire damaged documents (Bartha. 1973) McCaul et al (2007) discuss the problems facing forensic scientists when traditional photography techniques fall short at documenting certain evidence. In the examination of documents, IR can be used to detect forgeries or alterations, relying on the fact that the visually similar inks may reflect or absorb infrared at varying levels and wavelengths. Parallels can be drawn between the uses of infrared for examining obliterated writing and this study into examining original tattoos from underneath cover tattoos. The use of correction fluid or other inks to cover writing serves to render the underlying text illegible, in the same way that the cover tattoo serves to distort, hide or completely cover the original underlying tattoo. If infrared photography can allow for the underlying writing to be visualised, than it is entirely possible that underlying original tattoo could be recovered. The successful recovery of obliterated writings is dependent on the different inks used and their infrared absorbing capabilities. Some ink, when irradiated with infrared, will absorb it. This is due to the presence of different Chromophores in the different inks (Ellen, 2006) A chromophore is the chemical group of a molecule that is responsible for the molecules colour, and they absorb, reflect and transmit different wavelengths. Other examples include chlorophyll, melanin and amethyst. Infrared photography can also be used to examine/restore writing on charred documents (Bartha 1973). The success of the visualisation is dependent on the degree of charring. The charred paper is darkened due to partly converted resinous material before being completely degraded to elementary carbon. The carbon in the pen ink absorbs the infrared and so appears dark under IR, by contrast the charred paper looks lighter. The Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) is often used in the examination of obliterated writing (G M Mokrzycki 1999). The VSC uses Infrared radiant energy and filters to see through inks and other obliterations, and reveal obscured objects. The use of infrared photography is not an uncommon method for visualising and recording obliterated writing, S. Sugawara (2004) discusses the use of both near and middle infrared in deciphering obliterated writings by looking at writing made by 101 different pens. Erasures describe inks that have been made invisible by removal of the colour components of the inks. Sometimes when these components are removed, remnants are left behind. Sometimes whatever remains on, or just below, the surface can be detected using infrared. This is the same principle encountered in a paper by McKechnie et al (2008) in which infrared was used to detect remnants of ink left behind in the skin post-laser removal treatment. The findings of this research will be analysed in greater detail later on in this research paper. Other uses of infrared photography The uses of Infrared photography do not begin and end at medical and forensic uses however, for example, Bridgeman and Gibson (1963) used infrared to examine paintings. A paper by J R J Van Aperen De Boer (1969) successfully applies Infrared Reflectography to view the under-drawings of carbon pencil, with varying degrees of success of medieval paintings. Pencil lead (which is primarily graphite) absorbs throughout the infrared range of the spectrum, and the visible range. Because of this, under both near and far infrared conditions the graphite will remain as readily viewable as to the naked eye. Thus far this project has looked at both medical and forensic uses of infrared photography, many of which have in common the idea that infrared can be used to recover, or detect traces of one material (for example; ink) from underneath another material (such as correction fluid). These underlying or otherwise camouflaged materials are not readily viewable with the naked eye, or easily recorded using ordinary photographic methods. This is the same principle as is to be employed in this research. The detection of latent residue tattoo ink pigments The use of infrared photography to record tattoos is by no means a recent phenomenon. As long ago as 1938 JÃ ¶rg used infrared photography to detect tattoos that were otherwise undetectable with the naked eye. Although infrared photography has been utilized to study tattoos, there is not a great deal of literature available on the topic. Below some specific examples are given. The following are 2 examples found provide useful validation of infrared penetrating capabilities coupled with its specific use for detecting tattoo designs that have been affected by environmental conditions, or purposefully made difficult to visualise: Mckechnie et al use infrared photography to attempt to visualise latent tattoo ink residue from laser removed tattoos. This research article only used 2 participants, and with a success rate of 50% and so a follow up experiment would be required using a larger sample size to validate the findings. Both participants had their tattoos removed by laser treatment to the extent that they were no longer visible to the naked human eye. One of the participants tattoos was professionally done; the other was an amateur tattoo. Although the authors explain the difference between amateur and professional tattoos as a possible factor (that is that professional tattoos use more ink and are injected deeper into the dermis than amateur tattoos) and cross reference it with infrareds ability to penetrate the skin, they do not expand on the colour or pigment as being factors resulting in the success or failure of the trial. Visualising tattoos on mummified remains using infrared photography One of the original journal articles of interest that could be said to have initiated the thought behind this project idea, or at the very least inspire a belief of the success of the project, uses infrared Reflectography to examine tattoos on mummified remains, the mummified tissue normally being darkened to the extent that visualisation under normal photography conditions is near impossible (Alvrus et al 2001) It showcases the usefulness of infrared for lightening certain aspects of a subject in order to see others. In this case, the darkened mummified tissue made it difficult to visualise the tattoo under normal photographic conditions (visible light). Under Infrared conditions however, the contrast between the tattoo and the surrounding skin was enhanced; the darkened mummified skin appeared lighter, and by contrast the tattoo (which appeared darker) was readily visible. This is due to the differing absorption/reflection of infrared. The substances in the tattoo absorb the majori ty of the infrared; the surrounding skin reflects the infrared. A similar technique is used in the identification of tattooing on a 1600 year old mummified body found in Alaska (Smith and Zimmerman 1975) Tattooing was identified on the hands and forearms of the Eskimo female remains using infrared photography. The darkened skin obscured the tattoos to the extent that they could not be viewed under visible light spectral range photography. Skin thickness as a factor One of the other variables accounted for in this project is the area on the body of that tattoo, the thought behind this being that the thickness of the skin might come into play. According to E J Wood (1985) the thickness of the epidermis ranges from 0.06 0.1mm (from eyelids, to back and callused areas, respectively). The dermis ranges from 2 4mm thick, and accounts for the bulk of the skin. Although any differences in skin depth tend to be minute, they may still account for variable success rates due to the migrating nature of tattoo ink through the dermis and the penetrating capabilities of infrared. A skilled tattooist will not allow the needle to penetrate the skin no deeper than 2mm, the reasons for which are discussed below in The tattoo process. The ink must be deposited deeper than the epidermis, or else the ink will fade as the outer layers of the skin shed, therefore the thickness of the epidermis will affect how deep the ink must be deposited. It is also assumed that th e thickness of the dermis will correlate with the thickness of the epidermis. This is why this research paper has chosen to look at the area on the body of the tattoo as a possible factor. The tattoo process The process of tattooing involves injecting pigment, suspended in a carrier, through the epidermis and into the dermis of the skin, no more than 2mm or else the tattooist risk the ink bleeding, creating a smudged effect, regardless of the tattoo technique employed (the settings of the modern tattoo machine do not allow for the needle to penetrate any deeper than 2mm). There is no exact science as to the pressure exerted on the needle by the individual tattooist, as it is a matter of personal judgement (direct quotation from Mark tattooist from Dannys tattoo Studio in Sneinton, Nottingham) depending on the area of the body on which the tattoo is being performed. Tattooing on an individuals back or upper arm will require greater pressure because the skin is much thicker, the setting of the tattoo machine will also have to be altered for deeper penetration through the epidermis and into the dermis. Once injected into the upper layer of the dermis, the pigment is suspended in the fibroblasts (Sperry 1991). When looking at a tattoo, the tattoo is being viewed through the epidermis. Over time the deposited tattoo ink will disperse deeper into the dermis, and so it is possible that time, both between original and cover, and time since cover, could be a feature in the investigation. Tattoo Ink pigments More often than not, the tattooist will use a tattoo ink containing pigments which will be manufactured outside of the tattooists own premises, the exact content and purity of which is in most cases, unknown. There are certain guidelines in place for manufacturers of tattoo inks to abide by when producing the inks, however manufacturers of tattoo ink are not forced by law to disclose the ingredients used in the inks. A study by Timko et al (2001) found that, of 30 inks studied, the most commonly identified elements were aluminium, oxygen, titanium and carbon at 87, 73, and 67 percent respectively. Professional tattoo artists have access to over 100 different colours (Kirby et al 2005), many of these are mixtures of colours, for example red and white to make pink, thus making it difficult to classify pigment-wise. The research by Kirby et al (2005) found significant variability in pigment cluster sizes in professional tattoos, compared to amateur tattoos. They also found colour pigment granules to be larger than black pigment granules. This was initially an area of interest, but not one that this research paper will focus on due to the difficulty encountered in obtaining the relevant information. This study uses infrared photography in an attempt to visualise an original tattoo from underneath a cover tattoo, the success of which could be due to a number of different factors. A summary of these factors are as follows: To look at the colours used in both the original tattoo and the cover tattoo and how this affects the successful visualization of the original tattoo using infrared. To look for any correlation linking time since cover tattoo (up to date of photograph) and success of the experiment. This essentially will be looking at the effects of the migration of tattoo ink. To look at any trends involving time elapsed between original tattoo and cover tattoo, and the success of the infrared photographs obtained. As above, this will be examining the effects of ink particle migration. To look at the area on the body of the tattoo and discover if there is a relationship between this and the success of a particular photograph. Essentially, this is investigation skin density as a factor. Taking into account all the research discussed previously and the results obtained by the various studies in the field of infrared photography a few hypotheses have been deduced: The first is that the penetrative nature of infrared suggests it is possible to recover the underlying pigment of the original tattoo from beneath the cover tattoo. The reasons behind this are thought at this stage to be due to the colours present, or perhaps even the concentration of black used in the colour mixtures. The way in which an object appears when photographed using infrared is a direct consequence of their absorbing capabilities. For the purposes of this particular study inspiration was drawn for the research into questioned documents, or more specifically the detection of different inks using infrared. Most inks have different absorbing capabilities, some will only absorb through the visible light spectrum, and some throughout the visible light and into the infrared range. The reason behind this, as mentioned earlier, is due to the chromophores in the dye molecules. In the same way that infrared might be used to detect the underwritings of obliterated text, IR could be used to detect the underlying tattoo pigment, depending on the chromophores, or colours used. The second hypothesis is that any variation in the depth/thickness of the skin will be such a minute difference that it is unlikely to affect the overall success of the project. The factors of time (time between original and cover, and time since cover) are likely to have minimal effect, if any, on the successful visual recovery of the underlying tattoo. It is thought that any trends are more likely to be observed in the extreme time periods, for example, between tattoos that are under a year old and tattoos that are over 30 years old. This is because the most recently done tattoos will not have been affected by migration, whereas very aged tattoos will have undergone decades of migration of the ink particles. Method and materials A sample number of 33 (n33) individuals were used in this research, all of whom volunteered their time and consented for the presentation of their tattoos anonymously in this research paper. All that was required of potential participants was that they had a cover tattoo, there was no other criteria selected for, for example age or gender. The participants were then required to fill out a consent form, as no photographs could be taken without. The participants were asked to fill out a short questionnaire to aid in investigation of the various factors discussed in the introduction, an example of which can be found in the appendix. This project utilizes the near infrared part of the spectrum (the far infrared part of the spectrum is commonly used for thermal imaging). The infrared filters allow infrared light to pass through the camera and blocks most of the visible light spectrum. The Fujifilm IS pro digital SLR camera is sensitive to both ultraviolet and infrared light between 380nm and 1000nm. Optimum settings for the camera were assessed during several pre-experiments. Manual setting, ISO 200 and aperture f/6.3, which provided adequate depth of field for the infrared photographs Filters 87 and 88a were used, which are described as deep infrared filters; allow no visible light to pass through. The Wratten 87 filter has a sharp cut-off at ~800nm, and so transmits freely throughout the infrared region. The 88A has a slightly narrower window with an effective cut-off at ~750nm. The control photographs were taken using a UV/IR barrier filter. All photographs are taken at a 90Â ° angle from the subject (as close to as possible without actually measuring the exact angle) this was to eliminate any false positives due to raised tattoos (which can happen in hot conditions). A colour scale, a grey scale and a sizing scale are held in place around the tattoo. The first photo taken is the control photograph, using the IR-UV cut lens. This allows visible light to be captured and so essentially, is just a normal (visible light) flash photography picture. The second photograph removes the UV-IR cut lens, replacing it with an IR filter. The first used is the Wratten 87, as many photographs as necessary are then taken using this filter. The third set of photographs is taken with the 88a IR filter. The Metz 45CL4 electronic flash gun was the light meter of choice, the setting of which differs between photos depending on the light source available at the location. A number of photographs were taken of each tattoo; one control photograph, and 2 photographs using each filter. The first infrared photograph was to capture the entire tattoo, including the scales. A second photograph was taken if deemed necessary, which was a close up shot, focussing on any areas of interest highlighted in the first infrared photograph in order to capture better detail. Once all of the photograph records were obtained they were categorized into successful and unsuccessful. Of the successful results, due to the varying degrees of success encountered from record to record, it was felt necessary to categorize further still with the introduction of a grading system. The grading system is as follows: 0 None of the original tattoo could be visualised 1 Partial original tattoo visualisation 2 Most of original tattoo can be seen 3 All of the original tattoo can be seen from underneath the cover tattoo. Please note that some of the images presented in this report have only undergone basic alterations post production. The changes made to the infrared images were limited to minor brightness and contrast changes to accentuate any detail in the pictures that may have been lost when the images were resized and in order to retain detail in the printed hard copy. These changes are as follows: Brightness was altered to a maximum of around -10% for the infrared images on Microsoft Office Word 2007. Contrast was altered to a maximum of +30% on Microsoft Office Word 2007. These values are approximate, and dependant on the detail captured in the original, unaltered photographs. The images were not altered in any other way The underlying tattoo can be somewhat visualised under visible light photography conditions however visualisation of the original tattoo is accentuated using the Infrared as it removes the camouflage or interference provided by purple shading of the cover tattoo. This is a grade 2 example. This was graded as 2 because a substantial amount of the original tattoo can be recovered. In this case, the tattoo, under visible light conditions, is not an obvious cover tattoo as no detail of the underlying tattoo can be detected due to the use of shading and the faded nature of the original tattoo. With the shading of the cover tattoo removed using the IR filters the detail in the original tattoo can be visualised. The black shading of the cover tattoo on the eagles head and wings is not visually removed by the infrared, and so part of the cover tattoo is still camouflaged. Note The dark green and blue of the original tattoo appear darker in the infrared than the other colours of the cover tattoo. The purple in the background has completely disappeared in the infrared photograph. This is a particularly interesting record as it demonstrates the absorbing capabilities of black ink. Although some of the original design can been seen in the control photograph it is somewhat polluted by the dark colours of the cover tattoo. The blue and particularly by the purple of the cover design are visually removed in the infrared photograph, highlighting the contrast and allowing for better determination of the actual design. It would be expected that if there were a trend amongst these results that as the time since the cover tattoo increases, so would either the success or failure rate. At the same time, the remaining (factor either success or failure) would decrease as the other increases to show that there is a clear correlation. This does not occur, and so suggests that there is no link between time since the cover tattoo, and the overall success rate. Also there does not appear to be any detectable trend in the observed graph patterns between fig. 9 and fig.10 A summary table of records, including information on colours used, the grade allocated to each record, and a brief description of what can be seen with each record, is available in the appendices (Appendix 4) the findings of which are discussed in the discussion section of this research paper It should be noted that this graph only presents the number of cover tattoos with black ink in the design and does not take into account whether or not the black ink is directly responsible for the obscuring of the original tattoo design. It does, however, present a slight trend, which is to be expected. In cases where the cover tattoo is colourful, the Wratten 87 filter appeared to be the filter of choice as it removed all colour of the cover design to reveal the underlying original tattoo. In cases where the cover tattoo consisted of cut black or grey shading, the Wratten 88a appeared to be the ideal filter to better accentuate the original design from the cover tattoo design traffic. Of the unsuccessful examples: The following results are characterised according to the observed reason why the original tattoo could not be visualised. Please note that in 100% of the unsuccessful records the cover tattoo design contained black ink, however in some cases it is not deemed to be the reason for unsuccessful visualisation (In some cases for example, the black of the cover does not cover the original design) Discussion This research has proved definitively that infrared photography can be employed to detect an original tattoo design from underneath a cover tattoo. Of the several factors investigated in this paper that were thought to affect the success of the recovery of the original tattoo using the IR filters, the only factor with any real merit were the colours used in the original and cover tattoos. The time since the cover tattoo was investigated due to the behaviour of the ink once deposited in the skin. As explained in the tattoo process section, once the ink is deposited, over time some of the particles will disperse throughout the dermis. It was thought that the effect of this, if any, would be to hinder any successful recovery of the underlying tattoo. No obvious correlation was discovered between the time since the cover tattoo and the successful recovery of the original tattoo from underneath the cover tattoo. Time between original tattoo and cover tattoo also yielded no apparent association to the success rate. The graphs and a brief description of the findings can be seen in the results section of this paper (fig. 18 and Fig. 19) When looking at the area on the body as a factor (essentially that is looking at the depth or thickness of the skin) it seemed necessary to take two examples from areas of differing skin thickness and compare the success rates from each. The skin thickness of the wrist will be significantly less than the thickness of the skin on the back, which along with the soles of the hands and feet, is one of the areas on the body of the largest skin density. Of the results for the wrist tattoo, 50% were successful. This was the same as with the results from the examples photographed on the back (Fig.17) suggests that the area on the body of the tattoo had little or no bearing on the results. As predicted it is the colours used in both the original underlying tattoo, and the cover tattoo, that has the most bearing on the successful visualisation of the original tattoo. Visualisation of the underlying tattoo was most striking and effective with the examples with purple, red, light blue and white cover tattoos this is likely to be due to the different chromophores (the functional group of the pigment molecule that gives it its colour) in the different colours used, as they will absorb or reflect the infrared wavelengths at varying levels. Red and purple cover designs yielded the best results because these colours were completely visually removed by the infrared filters, leaving only the underlying original tattoo visible. Referring to Fig.1 and 2 of record 26, the purple of the cover design is completely visually removed under the infrared photographic conditions, allowing the black outline of the original underlying tattoo to be completely visualised. Records 22, 26 and 26b are perhaps the best examples, each receiving grade 3 in the grading system for complete visualisation of the original tattoos. The original designs can be easily distinguished as there is no interference from any fragm