Research potential and limitations of trace analyses of cremated remains

Human cremation is a common funeral practice all over the world and will presumably become an even more popular choice for interment in the future. Mainly for purposes of identification, there is presently a growing need to perform trace analyses such as DNA or stable isotope analyses on human remains after cremation in order to clarify pending questions in civil or criminal court cases. The aim of this study was to experimentally test the potential and limitations of DNA and stable isotope analyses when conducted on cremated remains.For this purpose, tibiae from modern cattle were experimentally cremated by incinerating the bones in increments of 100 °C until a maximum of 1000 °C was reached. In addition, cremated human remains were collected from a modern crematory. The samples were investigated to determine level of DNA preservation and stable isotope values (C and N in collagen, C and O in the structural carbonate, and Sr in apatite). Furthermore, we assessed the integrity of microstructural organization, appearance under UV-light, collagen content, as well as the mineral and crystalline organization. This was conducted in order to provide a general background with which to explain observed changes in the trace analyses data sets. The goal is to develop an efficacious screening method for determining at which degree of burning bone still retains its original biological signals. We found that stable isotope analysis of the tested light elements in bone is only possible up to a heat exposure of 300 °C while the isotopic signal from strontium remains unaltered even in bones exposed to very high temperatures. DNA-analyses seem theoretically possible up to a heat exposure of 600 °C but can not be advised in every case because of the increased risk of contamination. While the macroscopic colour and UV-fluorescence of cremated bone give hints to temperature exposure of the bone's outer surface, its histological appearance can be used as a reliable indicator for the assessment of the overall degree of burning.     

Philanthropisches Handeln zu Lebzeiten und über den Tod hinaus

As the number of rich people in Germany increases, it becomes more and more relevant to ask how they spend their wealth, because among other aspects being rich can be legitimized by social commitment. For example, responsibility can be shown by financial commitment or volunteering. Academic results not only show a rising number of people that are philanthropically active but also an increase in philanthropic behavior in the last two decades. Unlike it is stated in the American literature, social commitment of wealthy people has not yet gained currency in the German literature. In addition, it is little known about inheritance to society beside family transfers after death. Based on the data of the study ??Verm?gen in Deutschland?? (ViD) (Wealth in Germany) the paper discusses these questions for the year 2008. The results reveal a considerably above-average commitment of wealthy households and people. Moreover, 41?% of all respondents plan to fund a part of their wealth for public purposes and charity.     

Evaluation of two immunoassay procedures for drug testing in hair samples

A preliminary initial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (LUCIO-Direct ELISA kit) and a preliminary DRI enzyme immunoassay were evaluated for drug detection in head hair with respect to lowered cutoff values recommended in Germany for the control of abstinence in cases of re-granting of drivers' licences. Following drug classes were included: cannabinoids, opiates, cocaine like substances, amphetamine, methamphetamine (and methylenedioxyamphetamines), methadone, and benzodiazepines. 759 analyses were performed using LUCIO-Direct ELISA kits and 936 analyses using DRI enzyme immunoassay tests. Sample size for each drug group and immunoassay test reached from 74 to 178. The LUCIO-Direct ELISA kit revealed a sensitivity of 91% for amphetamine up to 98% for methadone (methamphetamine 92%, cocaine 94%, opiates 94%, benzodiazepines 96%) and values of specificity of 72% for methadone up to 89% for amphetamine and benzodiazepines. The test was not useful for a preliminary screening for tetrahydrocannabinol (sensitivity of 65%) in consideration of a suggested cutoff of 0.02 ng/mg. The DRI enzyme immunoassay test was only useful for morphine and cocaine testing at low recommended new cutoff values (0.1 ng/mg) revealing sensitivities of 94% and 99%, respectively.     

Heller,Schmitt and the Euro

Heller understood that Schmitt's ‘authoritarian state’ was in fact the liberal state in its pure form, weak in relation to the capitalist economy but strong in fending off democratic interventions in its operation. Had he lived, Heller would not have been surprised by the close affinities between Schmittian economic authoritarianism and postwar German ordoliberalism, as mediated by a figure like Alexander Rüstow. Neoliberalism as today we know it drew heavily on ordoliberal doctrine, in particular through Friedrich von Hayek who managed to merge it with Austrian economics into a powerful ideological force to replace Keynesianism after the 1970s. Today the European Union, especially in its incorporation as monetary union, closely follows the liberal‐authoritarian template as devised by Schmitt and others in the final years of the Weimar Republic. The paper shows this with reference to the five European‐level institutions that today govern the European free market while protecting it from democratic interference: the Parliament, the Council, the Commission, the European Court of Justice and the European Central Bank.     

Das neue Raumordnungsgesetz

Zusammenfassung  Zum Jahreswechsel wurde das neue Raumordnungsgesetz verkündet, zur Jahresmitte wird das Gesetz in vollem Umfang in Kraft treten. Trotz mancher Verbesserungen im Detail ist es dem Gesetzgeber jedoch nicht gelungen, die rudiment?re Rolle des Bundes in der Raumentwicklungspolitik nennenswert aufzuwerten. Insgesamt best?tigt das in v?lligem Konsens von Bund und L?ndern ausgehandelte Gesetz die Befürchtung, dass die durch die F?deralismusreform 2006 geschaffenen L?nderabweichungsrechte die f?deralen Verantwortlichkeiten keineswegs entflechten, sondern vielmehr bereits im Gesetzgebungsverfahren einen kompromisshaften Konsens von L?ndern und Bund erzwingen.     

Distribution of ethyl glucuronide in rib bone marrow, other tissues and body liquids as proof of alcohol consumption before death

Postmortem ethyl glucuronide (EtG) concentrations in rib bone marrow, liver, muscle, fat tissue, urine, blood and bile have been determined by LC-MS/MS. Samples have been taken from twelve corpses during autopsies. In nine corpses EtG could be detected, corresponding blood ethanol concentrations (BAC) were 0.04-0.37 g%. In three cases, no EtG was found; two of these cases showed postmortem BACs - possibly due to putrefaction - of 0.01 and 0.1g%. In rib bone marrow, which is easily accessible during autopsy, EtG concentrations (0.77-9.36 microg/g) have been lower than in blood (2.24-20.46 microg/mL) in eight of nine cases and comparable or higher than in muscle tissue. Therefore, rib bone marrow has been found suitable as matrix for EtG determination. The highest EtG concentrations have been found in urine in all but one case, where the resorption of ethanol had been incomplete. Second highest EtG concentrations have been detected in liver samples. In two cases with putrefaction, EtG could not be detected. In these cases, the detectable ethanol might have been produced partially or in total by postmortem fermentation. However, instability of EtG during putrefaction cannot be totally excluded which might result in a total loss of EtG.     

Sexual sadism

Definitions of sexual sadism in ICD-10 and DSM-IV will be presented as well as the historical routes of the concept. Today studies on differently selected clinical samples reveal a different distribution of sexual sadism versus masochism with masochism prevailing in general especially outpatient psychiatric facilities, and sadism prevailing in forensic settings, thus corroborating the concept of two separated diagnoses sadism versus masochism. In forensic settings the diagnosis of a sadistic character disorder (sadistic personality disorder [SPD] according DSM-III-R) is found to a much higher degree than in other clinical samples (50-fold). Our own follow-up study on a forensic sample implies that sadism as a paraphilia is of relevance for relapse-rates of sex-offenders. Symptoms of SPD can be combined with sexual sadism, or occur independently. This may corroborate arguments in favor of a dimensional concept of sexual sadism. Symptoms of SPD may then be a sign of generalization of sadistic traits at least in some cases. A concept of two factors contributing to sadistic pleasure is suggested, one taking the aspect of bodily gratification by sexual-aggressive stimuli as decisive, and the other taking inner representation of hostile objects into consideration (stressing the antisocial-anger-rage aspect).     

Proficiency test for the analysis of hair for drugs of abuse,organized by the Society of Hair Testing

Eighteen laboratories interested in the analysis of human hair for drugs of abuse participated in a proficiency test (PT) organized by the Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) in 2001.Samples sent to the participants included one drug-free hair sample and two samples from drug users, sent in the form of short segments previously checked for homogeneity by three reference laboratories. Participants were requested to analyze the samples following the standard procedure used routinely in their laboratories.The compounds present in the samples included opiates, cocaine and metabolite, cannabinoids and amphetamines. All the laboratories analyzed opiates, cocaine and benzoylecgonine (BE); only 10 analyzed amphetamines, and 9 cannabinoids. Various methods were used to extract drugs from the hair-enzyme treatment, acidic, basic and methanol extractions. All the laboratories employed GC-MS, with the exception of two which used GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, respectively. Six laboratories performed initial screening tests by RIA, ELISA or EMIT.Results show that the laboratories performed well qualitatively, since they successfully identified all the analytes that they tested, with the exception of eight false results. However, the scatter of quantitative results was high.     

Institutionen und Reformpolitik: Drei Fallstudien zur Vetospieler-Theorie

Der Artikel rekonstruiert und diskutiert die viel zitierte Vetospieler-?Theorie“ von George Tsebelis. Als eine ?Theorie“, die zumindest implizit dem handlungsorientierten Paradigma rationaler neo-institutioneller Theorien folgt, verspricht sie das statische Vorurteil von strukturalistischen Variablen-Ansätzen in der vergleichenden Politikforschung zu überwinden. Mit den drei Parametern Zahl der Vetospieler,policy congruence zwischen ihnen und interne Kohäsion der Spieler glaubt Tsebelis einen Ansatz gefunden zu haben, der Stabilität und Wandel von Policies erklären und voraussagen kann. Dies gilt für Untersuchungen mit wenigen und vielen Untersuchungsfällen. Die theoretische Konstruktion ist sparsam, elegant und erscheint in sich zunächst schlüssig. Wie erklärungskräftig sie ex post ist, wird anhand von drei Fallstudien der rot-grünen Regierungskoalition von 1998 bis 2002 getestet: der Steuerreform, der Rentenreform und der (ausgebliebenen) Reform des Arbeitsmarktes. Die Untersuchungen zeigen neben dem zweifellosen Erklärungspotenzial die Grenzen und Schwächen von Tsebelis’ Theorie auf. Aus der theoretischen Diskussion und der empirischen Überprüfung werden abschließend Vorschläge zur Weiterentwicklung des Ansatzes gemacht.