THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SENTENCING The Importance of Race in the Military

Data on incarcerated Navy and Marine Corps personnel are examined to determine the impact of offender's race on sentence length. The literature on sentencing in the civilian sector has long suggested that under certain circumstances blacks (or whites) receive unjustifiably long sentences. It is argued here that much of the variation in senate is due not just to characteristics of the offender, but also to characteristics of the sentencing process. The military forms a more state sentencing environment than the civilian setting; hence one should expect less variation due to the sentencing process. Analysis revealed that blacks and whites showed no statistically significant differences in sentence length, in both the Navy and Marine Corps. When small differences did exist. whites were usually recipients of the longer sentences.     

A screening method for urinary methamphetamine--latex agglutination inhibition reaction test

Methamphetamine in urine samples from abusers was detected by the latex agglutination inhibition reaction test with latex-antibody (Latex-Ab) and latex-methamphetamine (Latex-MA) reagents. Anti-methamphetamine antibody was produced in rabbits by immunization with bovine serum albumin (BSA)-methamphetamine conjugate. Latex particles were coated with antibodies or with rabbit serum albumin (RSA)-methamphetamine conjugate to obtain Latex-Ab and Latex-MA reagents, respectively. The results are read at 4-5 min after mixing the latex reagents. The sensitivity of this method for methamphetamine was 0.4 micrograms/ml urine. Methamphetamine analogs (methylephedrine, amphetamine, phentermine, methoxyphenamine, ephedrine, beta-phenylethylamine, OH-methamphetamine, OH-amphetamine, and OH-ephedrine) all cross-react in varying degrees, while glucosiurea and albuminurea give false positive results in the tests. Though attention must be paid to these effects this simple and rapid test is suitable for the mass screening of urine samples.     

The psychodynamics of the presidential assassin and an examination of the theme/graphic variables of his threatening correspondence

A case of fatal Reye's syndrome presenting as the second sudden infant death in a family is described. The increasing interest in fatty change in the liver in cases of sudden infant death syndrome is noted and it is suggested that standardised interpretation of findings is essential if its significance is to be correctly evaluated.     

Forensic age diagnostics of living people undergoing criminal proceedings

In the German-speaking area, recent years have seen a rapid growth of the need for forensic age estimations. Such need arises, for example, if no verified information on the age of a person suspected of a criminal offence is available; the issue at question in terms of criminal law is whether the person concerned has reached the age of criminal responsibility and whether general criminal law in force for adults is to be applied. The relevant age tresholds in criminal proceedings are 14, 18 and 21 years of age. According to recommendations of the Study Group on Forensic Age Diagnostics, a forensic age estimate should consist of a physical examination, an X-ray of the hand, and a dental examination which records dentition status and evaluates an orthopantomogram. In addition, a radiological or CT examination of the clavicles is recommended to establish whether a person has attained 21 years of age. The present article addresses the influence of ethnic origin on the examined developmental systems.