Implications of dimorphism, population variation, and secular change in estimating population affinity in the Iberian Peninsula

Morphometric cranial variation among Spanish samples was compared to a 19th century Portuguese sample using both traditional and three-dimensional approaches. The Spanish samples included the regional 19th century Oloriz collection and the local 16-17th century Villanubla and Vallolid sample from northwestern Spain. Results suggest moderate variation among the samples and suggest that varying patterns of regional variation, sexual dimorphism and secular change represent important factors to be considered in the evaluation of population affinity using craniometric approaches.     

Spanish population data on seven loci: D1S80, D17S5, HUMTH01, HUMVWA,ACTBP2, D21S11 and HLA-DQA1

Blood samples from 120 Spanish Caucasian individuals were amplified and typed by electrophoresis at six loci, and by reverse dot-blot hybridization at one locus. Results demonstrate the assumption of independence within and between the seven loci analyzed. Therefore, a Spanish population database has been established and statistical analysis shows that a high degree of discrimination can be obtained when all seven (or fewer) loci are used to characterize forensic biological evidence.     

The Prosecutor v. Laurent Semanza, Case No. ICTR-97-20, Judgment, Appeals Chamber (20 May 2005)

This case note identifies the relevant findings of the AppealsJudgment of Semanza, which have an impact on the developmentof international criminal law. In particular, the case notewill discuss the phenomenon of cumulative convictions, the positionof authority within the definition of ordering and the competenceof the Appeals Chamber to enter a first conviction.     

Permanent teeth development in a Spanish sample. Application to dental age estimation

The purpose of this study is to clarify the chronology of different stages of dental development, according to Demirjian, in a sample of Spanish children, which will enable us to build a database that will be used as a reference in regard to the dental development of individuals of our socio-geographic environment. In the same studied sample, a calculation of the dental age according to Demirjian was carried out. This study was conducted in a final sample consisting of 1010 orthopantograms, corresponding to Spanish children (485 boys and 525 girls) ages 2-16. Comparing the age of onset of the different stages among the children, evidence was found that girls had an earlier general development than boys. These differences were only statistically significant in teeth and concrete stages. The canine teeth revealed greater gender dimorphism, with significant differences in all stages compared with the upper canines. The method proposed by Demirjian for dental age calculation resulted in a significant overestimation of dental age in relation to the chronological age in boys (average of 0.87 years) and girls (average of 0.55 years). Data from this study may be used as reference for dental maturity, as well as a standard for estimating age in Spanish children.     

The Bosman ruling and the presence of native football players in their home league: the Spanish case

This paper examines whether the Bosman ruling plays a role in the presence (participation and performance) of native football (soccer) players in their home league, focusing on the Spanish case. By abolishing transfer fees after the expiration of contracts, as well as liberalizing the migration of professional football players within the European Union, the Bosman ruling could negatively impact the participation of national players in their home league. To explore this issue, we use data from the First Division of the Spanish League for the seasons 1980/1981–2011/2012. The results suggest a decline in the number of native Spanish players as a consequence of the Bosman ruling, although the impact does not appear to be permanent. However, we find that the Bosman case has a negative and lasting impact on the performance of Spanish players in their home league. Our findings do not change when we use different subsamples or introduce controls for unobserved characteristics, or for observed characteristics that could drive the presence of Spanish players, such as participation in European competitions, the performance of the Spanish national team, and the success of teams’ youth academies, among others. This work also takes into account other changes in the nationality quota rules and the impact of other post-Bosman legislative changes, such as the Kolpak case and the Cotonou agreement.     

GSR2005--continuity of the ENFSI proficiency test on identification of GSR by SEM/EDX.

Within the framework of the ENFSI Expert Working Group "Firearms" a proficiency test on the detection and identification of GSR by energy-dispersive scanning electron microanalysis (SEM/EDX) is carried out in a 2 years term. The latest test was performed in 2005/2006 and was denoted as GSR2005. Seventy-five laboratories from 28 countries participated in this proficiency test and submitted in total 83 independent data-sets. The participating laboratories were requested to determine the total number of PbSbBa containing particles on a synthetic test sample following their own laboratory specific methods of automated GSR particle search and detection by SEM/EDX. Furthermore size and position of the detected particles had to be reported by the laboratories and were evaluated statistically. The results were compiled by means of z-scores according to the IUPAC and EURACHEM guidelines-assessing individual laboratory achievements (inter-laboratory) as well as intra-laboratory performance-and were compared to the results of the previous proficiency test run GSR2003 (1). The comparison shows that there is a noticeable improvement in the method's detection capability.     

Experimentation with extra embryos in Spain: comment on the 45/2003 Law that modifies the 35/1988 Law on assisted reproduction techniques]

The 45/2003 Spanish Act tries to solve the problem of the cryoconserved human embryos produced in in vitro fertilization (IVF) programmes. The new law, which modifies the 35/1988 Act on Artificial Reproduction Techniques, is analyzed from the scientific, ethical and legal points of view.