'Morphological imprint': determination of the injury-causing weapon from the wound morphology using forensic 3D/CAD-supported photogrammetry

Forensic three-dimensional/computer aided design (CAD)-supported photogrammetry (FPHG) plays an important role in the field of the documentation of forensic relevant injuries; particularly so when a detailed, 3D reconstruction is necessary. This is demonstrated in the case of a patterned blunt injury to the face of a victim, which injury was subsequently proven by FPHG to have been caused by a blow from the muzzle of a soft air gun.The objects to be evaluated had to be series photographed in order to be evaluated virtually on the computer. These photo series were then analyzed with the RolleiMetric system. This system measures and calculates the spatial location of distinctive points on the objects' surfaces, and creates 3D data models of the objects. In a 3D/CAD program, the "virtual 3D model of the injury" is then compared against the "virtual 3D model of the possible injury-causing instrument".The validation of FPHG, as shown by the 3D match between certain characteristics of the muzzle form and the facial injury, demonstrates how this 3D method can be used for patterned wound documentation and analysis.     

Structural Transformation in Africa: Static Gains,Dynamic Losses

Abstract

This paper places recent growth and structural transformation in 11 Sub-Saharan African countries in historical and international perspective. During the early post-independence period, resources were reallocated to manufacturing activities with high productivity growth. Structural change stalled in the mid-1970s. When it resumed in the 1990s, workers mainly relocated to distributive trade services. Productivity levels in these activities were higher than in agriculture, enhancing overall economy performance. But services productivity growth was sluggish and increasingly falling behind the world frontier. These patterns are also observed in Latin America, but not in Asia.     

Performance of technology transfer offices in Germany

The aim of this study is to empirically analyze the performance of technology transfer offices (TTO) in Germany. Although being one of the largest and innovative economies in the world, there is only scarce evidence about the role and performance of TTO in university–industry technology transfer. While policy makers and university managers are often quite optimistic about the impact of TTO in fostering technology transfer into the region, consulting firms and research institutes report such institutions in Germany as superfluous and counterproductive. Using the number of invention disclosures as a performance measure, we analyze how variance in performance can be explained by different organizational structures and variables of TTO. Controlling for regional endowment and university specific effects, our results reveal that TTO performance is mainly a function of the kind of labor division within the TTO and the research intensity of the university. Knowing the drivers of TTO performance may help policy makers and university managers to reflect their strategies, mitigate weak points and thus foster performance.     

Determination of efficacy of fingermark enhancement reagents; the use of propyl chloroformate for the derivatization of fingerprint amino acids extracted from paper

The analysis of the constituents of fingerprints has been described numerous times, mainly with the purpose of determining the aging effect on fingerprints or showing the differences between donors or groups of donors. In this paper we describe the use of derivatized amino acids to determine the efficacy of the visualization reagents 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one (DFO) and ninhydrin. At present certain conditions are used for the application of these reagents, as determined by trial-and-error investigations, to the effect on fingerprints. The recovery of amino acids from a porous surface can be used as a measure for the efficacy of a visualization agent.In this paper we describe a method for the determination of the amount of amino acid left after reaction with well known fingerprint visualization reagents. This will allow a more scientific approach to method development for fingermark enhancement techniques. Furthermore, investigations on the influence of the concentration of fingermark amino acids, the order of application of and exposure time to reagents and the influence of age of the amino acids were carried out. These studies have resulted in a broader understanding of the mechanism involved in visualization of fingermarks using DFO and ninhydrin.     

The limits to participatory planning: a reply to Adaman and Devine

This paper considers the relation between Bataille and Mauss in the light of the evidence that whilst the two authors are often linked, the relation between the two was characterized by a lack of reciprocity. It argues that it is not surprising that Mauss never mentions the work of Bataille, as Bataille’s sociology, and his theory of sacrifice, searches for meaning of acts in relation to certain vital needs of human nature – an approach which offends against the implacable rationalism of Mauss, and his belief, in the 1930s, in the triumph of reason and progress.     

Anticoagulant-related iliopsoas muscle bleeding leading to fatal exsanguination: report of two autopsy cases

Two cases of massive iliopsoas muscle bleeding leading to fatal exsanguination are presented. Both patients (two women, 61 and 74 years old, respectively) received oral anticoagulation with phenprocoumon. The intramuscular bleeding occurred spontaneously in women of relatively good physical condition. Intriguingly, phenprocoumon concentrations were within the therapeutic range (1.55 microg/ml and 1.26 microg/ml, respectively) as detected by toxicologic analysis. These cases demonstrate that severe bleeding in the iliopsoas muscle has to be considered in all patients receiving anticoagulant medication, even in those who have coagulation parameters within the therapeutic range. Especially in older patients with a high degree of comorbidity or in patients receiving analgesic drugs, the potential of fatal outcome of iliopsoas muscle bleeding seems to be of clinicopathologic relevance.     

Public–private transformations. Institutional shifts, cultural changes and altering identities: two case studies

The central question of this article is which changes in cultural orientation arise during institutional transformation within public–private hybrid organizations. The article presents a theoretical review, using the Dutch interaction model, in which various models of institutional transformation and cultural change are brought up. We present two case studies which are part of an inter–university study of hybridization and processes of privatization.     

L‘évaluation du rendement des cadres supérieurs dans la fonction publique québécoise

Sommaire: Au moment où l'on parle de plus en plus de l'imputabilité des gestionnaires publics, il paraît important de s'interroger sur les mécanismes grâce auxquels les administrateurs sont anenés à rendre compte de leur gestion. Le présent article contribue àéclairer cette question en examinant le processus d'évaluation du reiidenient des cadres supérieurs de la fonction publique quéléoisr. Après avoir décrit l'origine et le conteiiu de la politique d'évaluation dn rendement des cadres, les auteurs inontrent que, jusqu' à maintenant, le processus d'évaluation du rendenient exerce en définitive un impact limité sur la gestion. L'analyse du eontenu de plus de 400 fiches d'évaluation du rendement réevèle par ailleurs que les gestionnaires supérieurs éprouvent des difficultés sérieuses dans la définition des attentes signifiées à leurs subordonnés et dans l'évaluation de leurs réalisations. Abstract: At a time when accountability is brought to the forefront in the public service, one has to wonder if the system provides the managers with adequate measurement tools, allowing them to render a satisfactory account of their management. in this article, the authors examine the managers' performance appraisal system in Quebec's Civil Science and draw conclusions on its usefulness as a management tool and its fairness as a compensation devise. After describing the origins and substance of the present policy, they demonstrate that results of the appraisal practice have indeed very little impact on management decisions. The analysis of as many as 400 appraisal forms reveals moreover that managers experience serious difficulties in defining the expectancies of their subordinates in the appraising of results. Le présent article est le résumé d'une étude publiée par le Centre d'études politiques et administratives du Québec: Marcel Proulx et Slichel Roy, L'évaluation du rendement des cadres supérieurs dans la fonction publique québécoise, coll. Bilans et Perspectives, no 1, Québec, École nationale d'administration publique, 1983, 152 p.     

Initially suspected killing with a political background identified as accidental carbon monoxide poisoning

During a parish fair the police was called to a conflict between two rival right-wing youth groups in the early morning hours. Shortly afterwards a burning car was discovered near the marquee with a charred male body on the driver's seat. It was assumed that there was a connection between the two events. At autopsy no injuries were found that were not attributable to postmortem consumption by the fire. The BAC value was 1.76 per thousand, the CO-Hb concentration 78%. The body could be identified by comparing pre- and postmortem X-rays of the molars and premolars of the right upper jaw. Reconstruction of the course of events and classification as an accident was possible only after calling in technical experts: The victim had gone back to his car to take a nap and kept the engine running because of the cold temperature. The car had been fitted improperly with a sport exhaust pipe, which caused both the carbon monoxide poisoning and the fire.     

Soft Governance, Hard Consequences: The Ambiguous Status of Unofficial Guidelines

Soft governance is an approach to policy implementation in which the central government relies less on hierarchy than on information to steer local organizations. This allows for a combination of formal accountability and professional autonomy that improves the quality of public services in both the short and the long term. Guidelines of an advisory, unofficial status are one tool that central government can use for this purpose. However, an inherent problem with this approach is that even though guidelines have no official legal status, in practice, they can take on the character of formal regulation when local organizations suspect that they cannot choose alternative courses of action, however well reasoned, without being sanctioned. It is a situation that encourages conformist behavior and diminishes the long-term potential for innovation. This phenomenon is illustrated with an analysis of disaster management in the Netherlands.