Analysis of preliminary procedures in suits against physicians at the Aachen Public Prosecutor's Office between 1978 and 1981

Altogether, 318 preliminary proceedings were initiated against physicians, compared to 2 against nonmedical practitioners. The majority i.e., 192 proceedings, dealt with charges of torture and deprivation of freedom committed against patients under psychiatric treatment. Ninety-nine proceedings were based on negligent bodily injury and negligent homicide and 15 on failure to give medical assistance. Other reasons were given in isolated cases only. The proceedings were mostly initiated against surgeons, psychiatrists, general practitioners, internists, gynecologists, and 2 against nonmedical practitioners (42 because of negligent bodily injury and 48 because of negligent homicide). The charges were dropped in accordance with Section 170,2 StPO in 78 cses, Section 153, 153a and 154 StPO in 7 cases, and there were 7 acquittals and 2 sentences after trial. In the remaining preliminary proceedings, the charges were dropped in 215 cases according to Section 170,2 StPO, and in 2 cases according to Section 153a StPO. Three defendants were sentenced to punishment and 1 received a verdict of not guilty. Thus in most of the preliminary proceedings the charges were dropped.     

Transborder data flow issues and technology transfer

Transborder data flow and technology transfer issues have a substantial overlap. Transborder data flows represent flows of information with economic and/or cultural value. Electronic access to “know-how”, information, data, etc. is becoming more and more important to technology transfer and sharing. National transborder data flow policies either affect or can themselves be technology transfer policies.     

Identification of fetal blood stains by radioimmunoassay of alpha 1-fetoprotein.

Radioimmunoassay of alpha 1-fetoprotein(AFP) for medico-legal identification of fetal blood stains using a commercial kit is described. The AFP content in fetal blood stains on filter paper ranged from 21--320 ng/9 mm2. The protein was detected in stains of adult blood and retroplacental blood in only negligible amounts. Aging of the blood stains did not influence the values up to 1 month. The method is simple and sensitive enough for application to medico-legal-practice.