Perpetrator related analysis of intentional homicides in the Genf canton (1971-1990)

A retrospective offender-related analysis was conducted on all deliberate homicides committed in the canton of Geneva between 1971 and 1990. The cases analyzed included 97 convicted single perpetrators or accomplices and 93 victims. 21 further homicides remained unsolved. 86.6% of the offenders were male; foreigners were over-represented in comparison with Swiss citizens. The average age was 35 years. In a majority of the cases the offender and the victim were partners, came from the same family or were acquainted with each other. Guns or knives were the most frequently used weapons. The criminal offences tried in Geneva were evaluated also with regard to their legal qualification.     

DNA typing revealing high HLA-Cw polymorphism completes availability of major histocompatibility complex loci in forensic medicine

Studies of human population genetics in Hungary have revealed relevant heterogeneity in the major histocompatibility complex. In the present studies, two isolated ethnic groups were chosen: people living in the Káli Basin westward from the Danube River, and those living in Opusztaszer, a village eastward from Danube, who are known as native ancient Hungarians. Blood samples were collected from 70 people in the Káli Basin and from 45 people in Opusztaszer. The frequency of HLA-Cw alleles was determined by serology as well as by DNA typing in 46 and 32 samples of the two populations, respectively, and in 44 randomly selected subjects of Hungarian origin. Compared with a random population of cadaver donors (the deaths having resulted mostly from accidents or, in a smaller number, strokes or heart infarcts) and voluntary bone marrow donors (typed in the last 10 years) recruited from all parts of Hungary and representing the mixed Hungarian population, remarkable differences were found in haplotype and allele frequencies. HLA-A, -B, -Cw typing was performed by serology and, in the case of the HLA-Cw locus, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-SSP and/or PCR-SSOP techniques, as well. The PCR-SSO oligotyping procedure allowed the identification of 32 Cw alleles in contrast with the 9 serologically detectable types. Because of the combination of low antigen expression and the lack of specific serologic reagents of good quality, no HLA-Cw antigens were detectable in 41%, and only one was detected in 48%, of the investigated individuals by standard serologic typing. With PCR-SSO typing, however, 97% of the investigated individuals proved to be heterozygous for HLA-Cw alleles. The two isolated populations differed from each other, from mixed Hungarian and other Caucasian populations in HLA-Cw* allele frequencies, as well as in haplotype distribution. This newly recognized polymorphism at the HLA-Cw locus completes the availability of major histocompatibility complex typing in forensic science and practice.     

Separation and divorce in Mexico: a demographic perspective

Data from the 1976 Mexican Fertility Survey are analyzed to determine the extent of legitimization of children born out of wedlock. The socioeconomic characteristics of women in consensual and legal unions are compared. The frequency and timing of legalization of consensual unions is analyzed, and the number of consensual unions and the frequency of legalization in rural and urban areas are compared. The role of pregnancy in forcing legalization and the stability of legal unions with and without prior cohabitation are studied. (SUMMARY IN ENG)     

Reviews

William A. Clark, Crime and Punishment in Soviet Officialdom. Combating Corruption in the Political Elite, 1965–1990. London: M. E. Sharpe, 1993, xi + 242 pp., $49.95 h/b, $16.50 p/b

Leslie Holmes, The End of Communist Power. Anti‐Corruption Campaigns and Legitimation Crisis. Cambridge: Polity Press, 1993, xx + 358 pp., £45.00 h/b, £13.95 p/b.

Rachel Walker, Six Years that Shook the World: Perestroika—the Impossible Project. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1993, viii + 312 pp., £35.00 h/b, £9.99 p/b.

Stephen R. Graubard (ed.), Exit From Communism. New Brunswick, NJ, and London: Transaction Publishers, 1993, 292 pp., $19.95.

Sergei V. Chugrov, Rossiya i Zapad: Metamorfozy Vospriyatiya. Moscow: Nauka, 1993.

Zoltan D. Barany, Soldiers and Politics in Eastern Europe, 1945–90. London: Macmillan, 1993, xi + 243 pp., £40.00.

Paul Hockenos, Free to Hate. The Rise of the Right in Post‐communist Eastern Europe. London: Routledge, 1993, x + 332 pp., £17.99.

Ben Eklof (ed), School and Society in Tsarist and Soviet Russia. New York: St Martin's Press, and Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1993, xii + 254 pp., illustrations, index, £45.00.

Timothy Edward O'Connor, The Engineer of Revolution. L. B. Krasin and the Bolsheviks, 1870–1926. Oxford: Westview, 1992, xix + 322 pp., £36.95.     

长春市应急管理机制研究

长春市应急管理机制在指挥系统、资源整合、处置原则、常态管理等方面有着自己的特点;在管理重心、决策机制、信息传递、社会参与和法制建设等方面还有待于进一步的完善.     

Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development of Dermestes Frischii and Dermestes Undulatus (Coleoptera,Dermestidae): Comparison Between Species

Dermestidae could be useful in forensic investigations to assess the PMI as adults and larvae colonize dried remains. We reared two species of Dermestidae (Dermestes frischii and Dermestes undulatus) to understand the effects of different temperatures on the length of their whole life cycle and on their immature stages. Both species were reared at 23°C ± 0.5, RH 75% and at 26°C ± 0.5, 75% RH. Our result shows that the temperature is the main factor that influences the development of those species; in fact, increasing temperature leads to a shorter development cycle (59.8 ± 0.5 and 38.1 ± 0.2 for D. frischii; 50.6 ± 0.6 and 36.2 ± 0.2 for D. undulatus). Furthermore, we found that the number of the molts before the pupa decreases from 5–7 to 5–6 for D. frischii and from 4–6 to 4–5 for D. undulatus, respectively, at 23°C and 26°C.     

Human Rights: Existential,Not Metaphysical

My paper consists of four sections. The first is concerned with the distinction and connection between fundamental and human rights. Here I shall just introduce a few conceptual notions and definitions that are more or less widely used, but that may help us to frame the issue and better focus on the most relevant question of the foundation or justification of human rights. In the second and third sections I will present what I believe to be the four fundamental normative situations that shape our understanding and use of human rights. In the second section attention will focus on what in my opinion is the most basic of these four normative situations, which I call the “existential” situation. This is intended to offer a strong foundation for human rights as “not metaphysical,” without appealing to or relying on heavy metaphysical assumptions. I will try to stick more or less to an argumentative strategy based on common sense. The third section, dealing with the three other normative situations, will to some extent be an exercise in eclecticism, trying to combine different approaches to (and schools of thought on) the question of normativity. Here eclecticism will not be trivial, or at least I hope not. In the fourth and final section I will briefly conclude with a general overview on the issue of the “existence” of normativity and human rights.     

University technology commercialization through new venture projects: an assessment of the French regional incubator program

This article assesses the performance of a technology business incubator program, established by the French government to support innovative new science and technology-based firms (NSTBF) that seek to commercialize laboratory research results. With a resource-based view and an institutional approach, this study predicts why some incubators may be more successful than others in supporting the development of NSTBF. An original longitudinal data set represents the results of a public incubator program, funded following the passage of a 1999 French law on innovation and research. The findings refer to a sample of 25 operationally active incubators and their 1200 graduated new ventures. This study contributes to the literature on business incubation by showing the importance of various incubator resource inputs for aiding NSTBF projects. It thus provides useful and timely feedback for researchers and policy makers.     

Deployment stressors of the Iraq War: insights from the mainstream media

A comprehensive understanding of the stressors of the Iraq War is needed to ensure appropriate postdeployment assessments and to inform empirical inquiries. Yet we are unaware of any published studies that address the range of stressors experienced by this cohort. Thus, in the present study, we report the results of an interpretive literature review of mainstream media reports published from the beginning of the Iraq War in March 2003 to March 2005. This literature revealed a combination of stressors associated with traditional combat, insurgency warfare, and peacekeeping operations. The increasing deployment of National Guard/Reservist personnel, older soldiers, and women highlights additional stressors associated with sexual harassment and assault, preparedness and training, and life and family disruptions. This is a cause for concern as war-zone stressors have been implicated in postdeployment health outcomes, including intimate partner violence and child maltreatment, immediate physical and mental health, and long-term adjustment.