Suffocation due to foreign body aspiration visualized by post-mortem CT

The aspiration of a foreign body is a high-risk event in the life of an infant or toddler, which needs fast clinical diagnosis and therapy. If the respiratory tract is massively obstructed, the aspiration can be fatal, as shown in the case of an 18-month-old child. The little boy choked on a fragment of a hazelnut shell. Besides radiography and bronchoscopy, a CT scan can be of special value to visualize the foreign body. Based on the data obtained, a virtual bronchoscopy can be calculated. Compared with conventional radiography, the advantages of computed tomography are better image quality, higher indicative value and the possibility to exactly localize the foreign body in the respiratory tract. In the presented case, the nutshell could be visualized in the larynx before autopsy.     

Undetected and detected child sexual abuse and child pornography offenders

Current knowledge about risk factors for child sexual abuse and child pornography offenses is based on samples of convicted offenders, i.e., detected offenders. Only few studies focus on offenders not detected by the criminal justice system. In this study, a sample of 345 self-referred pedophiles and hebephiles was recruited from the community. All participants met DSM-IV-TR criteria for pedophilia or hebephilia (paraphilia not otherwise specified), were assured of confidentiality, and self-reported lifetime sexual offending against prepubescent and/or pubescent children. Two sets of group comparisons were conducted on self-report data of risk factors for sexual reoffending. Measures of risk factors address the following dimensions identified in samples of convicted offenders: sexual preferences (i.e. co-occurring paraphilias), sexual self-regulation problems, offense-supportive cognitions, diverse socio-affective deficits, and indicators of social functioning (e.g., education, employment). Men who admitted current or previous investigation or conviction by legal authorities (detected offenders) were compared with those who denied any detection for their sexual offenses against children (undetected offenders). Group comparisons (detected vs. undetected) were further conducted for each offense type separately (child pornography only offenders, child sexual abuse only offenders, mixed offenders). Although there were more similarities between undetected and detected offenders, selected measures of sexual-self regulation problems, socio-affective deficits, and social functioning data demonstrated group differences.     

Prison structure, inmate mortality and suicide risk in Europe

Suicide presents a major complication during imprisonment and greatly contributes to the high mortality rate of prisoners. All international studies have found increased suicide rates among prisoners compared to the general population. This study examines risk factors for suicide and mortality in prisoners using supranational data from the Council of Europe Annual Penal Statistics (Statistiques Penales Annuelles du Conseil du L'Europe or SPACE) from 1997 to 2008. Macrostructural risk factors for prison suicide are analyzed from this supranational data set and the identified indicators are further evaluated on the single country level. Sexual offenders, offenders charged with violent crimes and prisoners sentenced for short- and long-term imprisonment are considered to be at an elevated risk for suicide. In addition, prison mortality is associated with overcrowding.     

Recent publications on organized crime

Publication Monitor

Recent publications on organized crime     

An introduction to the special issue on ‘Organised crime and illegal markets in the UK and Ireland’

This paper provides an introduction to the articles and report excerpt submitted to the special issue of Trends in Organized Crime on ‘Organised crime and illegal markets in the UK and Ireland’. The aim of the special issue is to draw together empirical research findings and theoretical accounts on various manifestations of organised crime in the particular geographic context(s), the evolution of organised crime, the links between organised crime, the legal sphere and paramilitary groups, as well as an account of the demographic profile and attitudes of citizens in areas in which organised crime groups thrive.     

Rechtsschutz im europäischen Kontrollverbund am Beispiel der FFH-Gebietsfestsetzungen

Verbundförmig durchgeführte Verwaltungsverfahren im europäischen Mehrebenenverwaltungssystem nehmen zunehmend komplexere Gestaltungsformen an, was weitreichende Auswirkungen auch auf den Rechtsschutz Betroffener hat. Der vorliegende Beitrag untersucht am Beispiel des europäischen Naturschutzrechts, welche Rechtsschutzmöglichkeiten betroffene Grundstückseigentümer in verbundförmig durchgeführten Verwaltungsverfahren offen stehen. Dabei wird deutlich, dass ein kohärentes Rechtsschutzsystem durchaus vorhanden ist, wenngleich seine Inanspruchnahme nicht unerhebliche Schwierigkeiten aufwirft.     

An unusual case of 3 fatal, accidental CO poisoning cases by re-routed ventilation

A case of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning is presented where three members of a family, aged between 23 and 66 years, died while having dinner. After analysing the scene and evaluating the personal circumstances there was no doubt that death was due to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. The fact that three persons of different ages died almost simultaneously as well as the technical reconstruction appears noteworthy to the authors. Scrutiny of the technical circumstances revealed that the waste air containing carbon monoxide was re-routed because of the oppressively hot weather conditions. The fumes from the stove heating in the living room flowed into the chimney and from there via another pipe into the kitchen oven and finally reached the atmosphere of the kitchen where the three members of the family died.