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Purpose of Review: To review literature published worldwide during the past year on forensic psychiatry., Recent Findings: In Singapore, more homicides are committed by foreigners than nationals. In Israel, immigrants are less often involuntarily committed. In Australia, a community treatment order results in more rehospitalizations after the first admission and fewer rehospitalizations after subsequent admissions. In New Zealand, assertive community treatment with cultural engagement results in good outcome even for those offenders with a diagnosis of antisocial behavior., Summary: New findings are leading to public policy decisions and improved treatment methods.

A novel methodology for the diagnosis of acute infections using FTIR microspectroscopy (FTIR-MSP) data on blood components and cluster analysis is presented. Blood samples were collected from 11 patients suffering from various infections and 16 age-matched healthy human controls. Blood components such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and plasma were isolated using standard procedures and FTIR-MSP of these components was utilized. A cluster analysis of the FTIR spectra was performed. The spectra obtained from the three blood components of patients were different from those of controls. The FTIR spectra of white blood cells from patients suffering infections were significantly different from the controls. Cluster analyses of averaged FTIR-MSP spectra of white blood cells provided 100% classification between patients and healthy controls., (Copyright 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)