Gm/Km determination in sperm traces

In the forensic laboratories of the Federal Republic of Germany and West-Berlin 23 different semen stains and in our own laboratory 20 semen stains were typed in the gm/km-system doing 125 and 61 (own) test respectively. Examination was carried out by means of the haemagglutination method, which has been used successfully in typing bloodstains. Our critical assessment based on earlier experiences with semen stains was now confirmed and statistically evaluated: typing was successful in about 35-50% of the tests, but besides false-negative results, there was also a considerable percentage (4-10%) of false-positive ones. Therefore for the present it seems best to exclude the gm/km-typing of secretion stains from forensic investigations in order to avoid false incriminations or exonerations of suspects.     

An unusual case of suicide caused by electric current]

The authors describe a suicide case of a 37 year old master joiner caused by electricity. One wire was put around a neck and the other around the left wrist.     

General,social, and academic self-concepts of gifted adolescents

Seven hundred seventy-two male and female adolescents (between the ages of 12 and 15) participated in a study concerning the identification and socioemotional situation of various subgroups of gifted students (N=94). In this article only the results concerning general, social, and academic selfconcepts of gifted adolescents are reported. A distinction is made between four groups: two groups of gifted achievers (one with high (N=22) and another with below average creativity questionnaire scores (N=45), a group of gifted underachievers (N =27), and a control group (N=74). The multiple and hierarchical model of self-concept by Shavelson et al.serves as a framework for our approach. The most striking differences are found between gifted achievers and gifted underachievers. The latter demonstrate very low academic self-concept and high test anxiety scores, an external locus of control, and low scores on school well-being and motivation. A positive self-concept in all areas seems to be the driving force for achievements, which are in accordance with high potential intellectual aptitudes. Similar results were reported by Feldhusen.Received M.A. from University of Nijmegen. Research Interests: cognitive development of adolescents, giftedness, and sociometric status.Received Ph.D. from the University of Bonn, Germany. Research interests: early indicators of giftedness, gifted education, and developmental processes of gifted children and adolescents.