Ostseepipeline “Nord Stream” – ein meeresumweltrechtliches Problem?

Ausgangsfrage und gleichzeitig Titel des Beitrags ist, ob das von einem russisch-deutschen Konsortium geplante Gaspipelineprojekt in der Ostsee, der sog. “Nord Stream”, so wie in der internationalen Presse vielfach diskutiert, ein meeresumweltrechtliches Problem für das Ostseegebiet darstellt. Nach Auffassung der Autorin ist diese Frage zu verneinen. Vor dem Hintergrund der Hauptverschmutzungsquellen der Ostsee erscheinen die potentiellen Meeresumweltbelastungen durch die Pipeline eher gering, denn potentielle meeresumweltrechtliche Belastungen kommen nur in einem vorübergehenden Zeitraum, n?mlich ausschlie?lich in der Bauphase vor, die von der Phase nach der Inbetriebnahme abzugrenzen ist. Im Beitrag werden die potentiell gef?hrdeten Schutzgüter identifiziert und beispielhaft wird aufgezeigt, wie w?hrend des derzeit noch laufenden und deswegen flexiblen Planungs- und Entwicklungsprozesses geeignete Ma?nahmen zur Vermeidung oder Verminderung erheblicher nachteiliger Auswirkungen des Projekts auf die Umwelt getroffen werden.     

Charred body: virtual autopsy with multi-slice computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

The correct examination of a charred body is a forensic challenge. Examination, interpretation, and conclusion in respect to identification, vital reactions, toxicological analysis, and determining cause and manner of death are all more difficult than without burns. To evaluate what can be seen in the case of a charred body, we made an examination with the new radiological modalities of cross-section techniques, via multi-slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), prior to performing the classical forensic autopsy. In a charred body case of a single motor vehicle/fixed object collision with a post crash fire, the radiological methods of MSCT and MRI made it possible to document the injuries caused by burn as well as the forensic relevant vital reactions (air embolism and blood aspiration). In conclusion, we think postmortem imaging is a good forensic visualization tool with a great potential for the forensic documentation and examination of charred bodies.     

The Shadow Negotiation and the Interest-Based Approach at Kaiser Permanente

As interesting and significant as the Kaiser Permanente case is in and of itself, there were many parallel negotiations that took place just below the surface of the overt negotiations. The author focuses on this "shadow negotiation," exploring a series of strategic moves that took place in the case, enabling the parties to craft their negotiation process. These shadow negotiations involved positioning moves, process moves, power moves, and appreciative moves. The parallel shadow negotiation was a significant factor in the success of the Kaiser Permanente negotiations.     

Retrograde blood aspiration: a vital reaction

Blood aspiration, which is based on an intact breathing activity, is one of the forensically most important vital reactions. On the example of 11 forensic cases it is shown that the aspiration of blood into the lung tissue is possible not only when the bleeding source is situated above the trachea or main bronchi, but also in a retrograde way, taking its origin from an injury of the peripheral lung tissue itself. Equally to 'classical' blood aspiration, the findings of retrograde blood aspiration are to be diagnosed by means of macroscopical and histological examination of the lung tissue. The lung tissue presents with roundish, reddish spots, which are situated close to, but separate from a lung contusion or other lung tissue injury, and microscopical examination reveals blood in the alveoli and the bronchioli. Retrograde blood aspiration may be a helpful vital sign in the forensic assessment of thorax trauma cases where no other vital reactions are present.     

Blood-spatter patterns: hands hold clues for the forensic reconstruction of the sequence of events

Biologic and nonbiologic traces on the hands are of particular importance for the forensic reconstruction of shooting incidents; gunpowder residue analysis in particular helps determine whether the gunshot is close range or distant. In crime scene investigation, knowledge about the morphology of bloodstain patterns-including gunshot-related back spatter-has increased since various experimental examinations have been performed in the last years; nowadays, these traces are frequently used for forensic crime scene reconstruction. The goal of this study was to deduce the position and orientation of the hands, and therefore the firearm, according to the bloodstain patterns on the hands of the deceased. For this purpose blood-spatter stains on the hands were examined on site in 5 suicides caused by gunshot. In all cases, forensically relevant conclusions regarding forensic reconstruction were enabled through close examination of the spatter marks. Therefore, in shooting incidents, analysis and documentation of blood-spatter findings on the hands is recommended before hands are tested for gunpowder residue or wrapped for the transport of the body.