Switzerland

European Journal of Political Research -     

Switzerland

European Journal of Political Research -     

Polls as Public–Politic Linkage: A Comparative Analysis of Poll Use and Roles of MPs in Parliamentary Debate

Opinion polls as a linkage mechanism between the public and politics have rarely been examined in a parliamentary context. In our comparative study (Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) we analyse if and how polls are invoked by MPs with different roles in parliamentary debates. Focusing on three theoretical aspects (responsiveness, populism and deliberation), we find that polls are indeed invoked to bring the views of the public into parliamentary debate to some degree, but they are also often used merely to support policies already developed in the political realm. Fears of the populist effect of polls are exaggerated; polls, in fact, have a positive influence on the discursive quality of parliament. Looking at parliamentary roles, we find very different patterns of poll use: while MPs oriented towards their constituencies use polls in the most direct and participatory vein, others mediate public opinion as displayed by polls through different institutions (the party, the parliament) or through expertise.     

Computer aided shot reconstructions by means of individualized animated three-dimensional victim models

In cases of lethal firearm injuries with indefinite indications concerning self-versus third-party infliction a computer enhanced reconstruction with the aim of an anatomical feasibility study can provide significant clues concerning the course of the traumatic event.To this end an exact three-dimensional geometrical model of the victim including all relevant anatomical data as well as the careful documentation of the injuries and a three-dimensional model of the characteristic outlines of the weapon true to scale is generated with the help of an animation program (POSER Version 4, Meta Creation, Egisys AG).With this animated digital three-dimensional model of the victim and the weapon a series of simulation sequences is created by variation of the body positions and the grasp of the weapon. Anatomically impossible positions in view of the physical characteristics of the victim and the site and direction of the bullet path are automatically excluded from the reconstruction. An exact match of the simulation sequence and the real injuries is a statement for a possible self-infliction of the gunshot wound.     

Digesting the Past on the Left, Or the Rule of Law and the German Lesson

Antiliberal concepts calling the rule of law into question have an easy job with former leftists, for in those circles normative universals have never been esteemed. However, as experience in Germany in the past two centuries reveals, an element of natural law that lies within Marxism—a humanitarian normative element encompassing the ideas of equality, freedom, and justice—should and must be preserved.     

Postmortem distribution of sertraline and desmethylsertraline in a fatality

Sertraline (CAS 79617-96-2) is a relatively safe medication for patients suffering from depression. Data reporting the postmortal distribution of sertraline and desmethylsertraline remain rare as well as reports of risks of side effects following ingestion of the drug. In a case of a young woman found dead in her flat sertraline and desmethylsertraline were identified and quantified in body fluids and tissues by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection after alkaline extraction. Sertraline and its desmethyl metabolite were found in the peripheral blood in levels of 0.15 mg/l and 0.20 mg/l, concentrations in liver and bile were markedly higher. By exclusion of other reasons for death a lethal sertraline intoxication was decided. Sertraline is suggested to possess a low inherent toxicity, however, a risk of side-effects which may occur in single cases even under moderate dosages should be considered.