[彭蒙惠英语] 《CSI犯罪现场》因素(2/2)

英语自学网

[B][B][B]双击或划选（[/B][B]点我安装在线划词[/B][B]），即可查看单词的详细解释，并收录生词进 [/B][B]生词本[/B][/B] [/B]
[B]The CSI Factor (2/2)
Scientists give American judges a "CSI" education[/B]
Putting the knowledge into practice
After the first two days of lectures and discussions, the judges put what they learned to the test with hypothetical scenarios such as a toxic chemical spill from a ship put off course near a busy harbor during a storm. In that scenario, the state had hired a company to clean up the spill using bacteria engineered to digest the chemical. But environmental groups are suing to stop the release of the clean-up bacteria, saying its engineered DNA could be transferred into naturally occurring bacteria and harm the environment.
The judges and scientists discussed the ins and outs of the theoretical case, such as whether the toxic chemical spilled or the genetically modified clean-up bacteria was more likely to cause harm, and whether the plaintiff's experts on genetically modified crops were qualified to testify about bacteria.
One judge said she had already dealt with a similar case when styrene spilled out of rail car near Cincinnati.
"I had to find questions and answers quickly," said Judge Melba Marsh. The experience was so stressful, she said, "Even talking about it now, I can feel my pulse [speeding up]."
Passing on the knowledge
The judges who learn the science will not only be able to use their new expertise in their own courtroom, they can also advise colleagues on procedural matters involving science, such as where to find appropriate experts.
"we're training the trainers," said Franklin Zweig, president of ASTAR. "Our experience is that judge-to-judge communication is far superior for improving justice than any other form of education."
"They're really fascinated and interested in this," Hazen said. "They're extremely good researchers and very adept at getting up to speed quickly to make a good decision."
Vocabulary Focus

hypothetical (adj) ---imagined or suggested but not necessarily real or true
ins and outs (idiom) ---detailed or complicated facts of something
adept (adj) ---having a natural ability to do something that needs skill
Specialized Terms

plaintiff (n) ---原告someone who makes a legal complaint against someone else in court
styrene (n) ---苯乙烯also known as vinyl benzene; an organic compound, usually an oily liquid
              

enfour

学以致用
头两天的演讲与讨论结束后，法官们在假想情境中验证所学，例如在一场暴风雨中，有毒的化学制品从一艘在繁忙港湾里偏离航道的船上溢出。假想情境中，州政府雇了一家公司利用改造后可分解化学物质的细菌来清除溢出的化学品，但是环保团体提出诉讼，要求停止释放清污细菌，表示这些细菌体内改造过的DNA可能转移到自然滋生的细菌体内，以致破坏环境。
法官与科学家讨论这个假设案件的细节，例如是溢出的有毒化学制品还是基因改造过的清污细菌较可能造成危害，以及原告找来的基因改造作物专家是否够资格出庭为细菌方面的事作证。
一位法官说，她之前处理过类似的案子，那次是苯乙烯从辛辛那堤市附近的一节火车车厢溢出来。
法官梅尔芭·马许说:"我那时必须尽快找到问题与答案。"那次经验压力太大，她表示:"即使现在谈到那个案子，我还会感到脉搏(加速)。"
知识传承

学了这些科学知识的法官将来不仅能把新的专业知识用在自己的法庭上，还能在涉及科学的程序事务方面给同事建议，例如何处找得到合适的专家。
"我们正在训练教练，"ASTAR主席法兰克林·茨威格说:"根据经验，在改进司法这件事上，法官彼此之间的沟通远胜过任何形式的教育。"
"他们真的对这项做法着迷，而且很感兴趣，"黑森说:"他们是极好的研究人员，很有本事迅速搜集最新资讯而进人状况，以便作出正确的裁决。"