Artenschutz in der Fachplanung

Die Verbote des Artenschutzes führten bisher eher ein unbeachtetes Dasein. Erst die Diskussion um die Gebiete des europäischen kohärenten Netzes Natura 2000, bestehen aus Europäischen Vogelschutzgebieten auf Grund der Vogelschutz-Richtlinie (V-RL) und Gebieten von gemeinschaftlicher Bedeutung auf Grund der Fauna- Flora-Habitat-Richtlinie (FFH-RL) hat auch den in diesen Richtlinien verankerten Artenschutz ins Bewusstsein der Planer und Entscheider treten lassen. V-RL und FFH-RL bestehen im Wesentlichen aus 2 Teilen, einem Teil über den Schutz von Flächen und einem Teil über den Schutz von Arten. Während sich der Flächenschutz auf ausgewählte Bereiche beschränkt, gilt der Artenschutz flächendeckend in allen Mitliedgliedstaaten. 1) Der Verfasser ist Leiter des Referats Rechtsangelegenheiten des Naturschutzes im Niedersächsischen Umweltministerium, Lehrbeauftragter für Umwelt- und Planungsrecht an der Technischen Universität Braunschweig (Institut für Geoökologie) und der Universität Hannover (Institut für Landschaftspflege und Naturschutz), sowie Mitglied des Deutschen Rats für Landespflege. Der Beitrag gibt seine persönliche Auffassung wieder.Der Aufsatz basiert auf dem Vortrag, den der Verfasser auf den Speyerer Planungsrechtstagen vom 10. bis 12. 3. 2004 gehalten hat.

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Age determination of an unknown body in early adulthood

The authors report on the estimation of the age of an unidentified deceased adolescent in connection with the body's identification. A physical examination by a forensic physician and an examination by a forensic dentist, including determination of the dental status and an X-ray of the teeth were used to estimate the age. In addition, an X-ray of the left hand as well as an X-ray and MRT scan of the clavicles were carried out by forensic radiologists. Combining the results of the individual examinations, the age of the deceased was estimated to range between 18 and 21 years. In the course of the police investigation it was found out that the deceased was 20 years and 7 months old. This has led to the conclusion that combined use of methods allows the age even of adolescents to be determined with relatively high accuracy and a minimum of time and effort.     

Forensic microradiology: micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) and analysis of patterned injuries inside of bone

When a knife is stabbed in bone, it leaves an impression in the bone. The characteristics (shape, size, etc.) may indicate the type of tool used to produce the patterned injury in bone. Until now it has been impossible in forensic sciences to document such damage precisely and non-destructively. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) offers an opportunity to analyze patterned injuries of tool marks made in bone. Using high-resolution Micro-CT and computer software, detailed analysis of three-dimensional (3D) architecture has recently become feasible and allows microstructural 3D bone information to be collected. With adequate viewing software, data from 2D slice of an arbitrary plane can be extracted from 3D datasets. Using such software as a "digital virtual knife," the examiner can interactively section and analyze the 3D sample. Analysis of the bone injury revealed that Micro-CT provides an opportunity to correlate a bone injury to an injury-causing instrument. Even broken knife tips can be graphically and non-destructively assigned to a suspect weapon.     

Outpatient civil commitment in Texas for management and treatment of sexually violent predators: a preliminary report

Texas established in 1999 outpatient civil commitment for sexually violent predators discharged from prison with or without parole. These individuals suffer from a behavioral abnormality, have been convicted of two or more sexually violent crimes and are deemed likely to reoffend. Civilly committed individuals are managed by a team composed of case manager (supervision), treatment provider, public safety officer (global positioning satellite monitoring), and other professionals. Treatment consists of individual and group therapy using a standard workbook. Out of 21 committed individuals, 7 are in the treatment, 1 died, 10 are in custody after breaking conditions of commitment that constitute a felony, and 3 await release from prison. Cost of outpatient civil commitment is less than $20,000/person/year compared with more than $100,000 for inpatient commitment in other states. Texas has found outpatient civil commitment to be an effective and relatively low-cost way to protect the public and treat the offender.     

PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVMENT IN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: AN ETHICAL PERSPECTIVE

The general nature of the productivity ethic is discussed, with i t s limitations i n the public sector being stressed. The economic institutional model upon which the private sector business productivity construct is built is compared with the political institutional model operating in governmental agencies. Value paradoxes and dilemmas of government policymakers and administrators supporting agency productivity improvement efforts are analyzed. The study concludes that a better understanding of the limited nature of the productivity vision as well as i t s unique ethical characteristics would do much to improve governmental performance and the morale of public employees.