Morphology of low-velocity impact stains produced from single drops of blood

Systematic variation of blood droplet volume, the distance fallen and the surface (paper, wood, plastics, tiles) led to the conclusion that the size and the shape of the stains ("fingers", satellites) allowed to deduce the distance fallen but only if the actual surface structure was known. We found that detailed photography at the crime scene was necessary, yet experiments have to be performed due to the extreme influence of the actual surface texture on all characteristics (size, spines, peripheral spatter) of the blood stains.     

Analysis of drugs of abuse in hair: evaluation of the immunochemical method VMA-T vs. LC-MS/MS or GC-MS

Hair analysis is an elaborate and time-consuming multi-step process. The immunometric test VMA-T from Comedical has been evaluated as screening assay for hair analysis. From routine work, authentic samples were selected that were positive for opiates, cocaine, MDMA-type drugs, amphetamines, methadone or THC. These hair samples were investigated by LC-MS or GC-MS and the VMA-T procedure, respectively. Using the cut-off values recommended by the Society of Hair Testing, the VMA-T method discriminates with good sensitivity between negative and positive hair samples and is an expedient screening method for drugs in keratinized matrices such as hair. In order to save time and resources, the residue of the VMA-T extraction solution can be reused for confirmation analysis by LC-MS except for cocaine.     

Self-made "electric chair" for sexually motivated child abuse of children

A 52-year-old man had altered a wooden folding chair by placing two electrodes and a circuit underneath the seat. Using a remote control, he was able to give electric shocks to a person sitting on the chair. He used this device on more than 50 children, video-taping their reactions for his own pleasure. There are no reports that any of the children suffered a lasting damage to their health. The construction as well as the function and the electrical parameters of the chair were examined by forensic specialists. According to their expertise, the construction was not able to cause a potentially life-threatening condition when used with healthy children. The perpetrator was convicted for bodily harm etc.     

Causes and circumstances of fatal falls downstairs

Reports of 9156 autopsies performed at the Centre of Legal Medicine of the J.W. Goethe-University Frankfurt over a period of 10 years were reviewed for fatal accidents of falls downstairs, age, gender, drinking behaviour and alcohol influence, the locality and the time of the accident. Among 43 cases (0.47% of all autopsies) were 31 males (72.1%, average age 63.9 years) and 12 women (27.9%, average age 65.8 years). Twenty-nine accidents (67.4%) occurred at home, in six cases (14.0%) in a public building or area. Twenty-three victims (53.5%) were under the influence of alcohol (average blood alcohol concentrations (BAC): 2.56 per thousand), in 19 persons autopsy revealed severe internal disease which may explain the cause of the fall (severe coronary artery disease, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, apoplexy, brain tumour). This study indicates that a fatal fall downstairs without an underlying severe disease or alcohol influence is a rare phenomenon.     

Intolerance Toward Immigrants in Switzerland: Diminished Threat Through Social Contacts?

Intolerance toward immigrants has recently reached noticeable highs in Switzerland. Referring to the conflict theory, the perception of a specific group as a threat tends to lead to intolerance toward that group. The expectation of a negative relationship between threat and tolerance is nevertheless not assumed to be universally valid for all members of society. In particular, the contact theory assumes that intercultural encounters should promote positive attitudes toward culturally different individuals and groups. Using a new and unique data set, our Heckman selection models reveal that Swiss who view rising immigration to mean a loss of economic privileges and an erosion of Swiss cultural values are less tolerant toward immigrants. Moreover, our results indicate that contact with immigrants may moderate this effect. However, not all group settings are able to reduce the perceived threats in a similar way, and not all sorts of social contact are able to foster tolerance toward immigrants.