Bringing Law to the Table: Legal Claims,Focal Points,and the Settlement of Territorial Disputes Since 1945

In this article, we argue that international law can help state leaders reach a settlement in territorial disputes by suggesting a focal point for negotiations. International law is more likely to serve as a focal point when the legal principles relevant to the dispute are clear and well established and when one of the states in the dispute has a stronger legal claim to disputed territory. When these two conditions are present, we expect the state with a legal advantage to push for and receive favorable terms of settlement. In our analysis of all negotiated settlements in territorial disputes from 1945 to 2000, we find strong support for the importance of international law in influencing the terms of settlements. States with a strong legal advantage are more likely to secure favorable terms, whereas states lacking a strong legal claim are more likely to receive unfavorable terms.     

Forensic Confirmation Bias: Do Jurors Discount Examiners Who Were Exposed to Task-Irrelevant Information?*†

Knowledge of task-irrelevant information influences judgments of forensic science evidence and thereby undermines their probative value (i.e., forensic confirmation bias). The current studies tested whether laypeople discount the opinion of a forensic examiner who had a priori knowledge of biasing information (i.e., a defendant's confession) that could have influenced his opinion. In three experiments, laypeople (N = 765) read and evaluated a trial summary which, for some, included testimony from a forensic examiner who was either unaware or aware of the defendant's confession, and either denied or admitted that it could have impacted his opinion. When the examiner admitted that the confession could have influenced his opinion, laypeople generally discounted his testimony, as evidenced by their verdicts and other ratings. However, when the examiner denied being vulnerable to bias, laypeople tended to believe him—and they weighted his testimony as strongly as that of the confession-unaware examiner. In short, laypeople generally failed to recognize the superiority of forensic science judgments made by context-blind examiners, and they instead trusted examiners who claimed to be impervious to bias. As such, our findings highlight the value of implementing context management procedures in forensic laboratories so as not to mislead fact-finders.     

Negative and Positive Partisanship in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Elections

Political Behavior - Negative partisanship captures the notion that disdain for the opposing party is not necessarily accompanied by strong in-party attachments. Yet, lack of a theoretical...     

The evidential value of singed hairs in arson cases

The prevalence of singed hairs on hands was examined in a representative sample comprised primarily of Hamburg LKA staff members to determine the evidential value of such traces in criminal cases. Hair samples were taken from the hands of 160 subjects and examined under a microscope. Evidence of singing was found in 53 of the samples. These traces were largely restricted to a limited number of areas. Distribution of singed hairs over a wide area was observed in just 3 subjects all of whom reported contact with an open flame. The presence of singed hair on the back of the hand can be of great evidential value, though the corresponding distribution pattern must be carefully interpreted.     

Tagebaurestlochflutung im Spannungsfeld zwischen Berg- und Wasserrecht –- Anmerkung zu OVG Magdeburg, Beschluss vom 26. Mai 2008 (2 L 187/06)

Zusammenfassung  Bei Stilllegung von Bergbaubetrieben ist ein zentrales Thema die Einstellung der bergbaulichen Grundwasserhaltung. Dies gilt insbesondere, wenn die bergrechtliche Wiedernutzbarmachung durch Flutung der sog. Tagebaurestl?cher und Herstellung von Landschaftsseen erfolgt. In den dabei durchzuführenden berg- und wasserrechtlichen Verfahren stellt sich die Frage, wie mit Vern?ssungssch?den bei Wiederanstieg des Grundwassers auf sein vorbergbauliches Niveau umzugehen ist. Zu dieser Problematik hat mit dem Beschluss des OVG Magdeburg vom 26. Mai 2008 erstmals ein Oberverwaltungsgericht Stellung genommen und dabei für begrü?enswerte Klarheit gesorgt. Das OVG Magdeburg hat im Ergebnis die erstinstanzliche Entscheidung des VG Halle best?tigt, wonach über solche Vern?ssungen nicht im wasserrechtlichen Planfeststellungsverfahren, sondern im bergrechtlichen Betriebsplanverfahren zu befinden ist und die Vern?ssungen im übrigen Baugrundrisiken darstellen, die in die Verantwortung der Grundeigentümer fallen.