Validation of the X-linked STR DXS6801

This paper presents sequence and population genetic data of the X-linked microsatellite marker DXS6801 (GDB:G00-365-276) which is a tetranucleotide repeat polymorphism representing eight alleles 109-141 bp in length. Data were obtained from a sample of 1146 unrelated German individuals. DXS6801 is located 99.7 cM from Xptel, nearby DXS6809 [Int. J. Legal Med. 117 (2003) 241] and DXS6789 [Forensic Sci. Int. 119 (2001) 42] in Xq21. The new marker could be added to the panel of ChrX STRs, especially usable as a part of the Xq21 linkage group.     

Assignment of a bite-mark on the victim's skin to the dentition of the perpetrator by means of anomalies in the number and position of the frontal teeth

This report is about a bite mark on the breast of a female corpse. The woman had been killed by ligature strangulation at the age of 76 years. The investigation of the dental casts of a suspected man showed some anomalies in the dentition and orthodontic variations. A comparison of the bite mark with these anomalies demonstrated the correspondence of several details. Consequently, the probability that the suspect was responsible for the bite mark was regarded as being very high. During the further investigations the suspect admitted the offence including the bite injury to the breast. The authors emphasize the importance of an exact photographic documentation as an indispensable prerequisite for an odontological comparison.     

Measuring the distance of the wisdom teeth from the occlusal plane as forensic-odontological method for chronological age determination

As part of an epidemiological study on tooth eruption it was attempted to define easily accessible criteria for age estimation in living human beings based on the distance of the wisdom teeth from the occlusal plane. 253 cast models of 149 female and 104 male patients were used for evaluation. Due to the great variability observed in the eruption of the wisdom teeth, only a small fraction of the total number of 10,924 cast models was suitable for investigation. Only teeth with the axis being perpendicular to the plane of occlusion during eruption according to radiological and clinical findings were included. After defining these inclusion criteria, the distance of the wisdom teeth from the plane of occlusion was determined and correlated to the age of the subjects. The results confirmed the known large variability concerning wisdom tooth eruption and did not show any reliable relation between age and distance values. Nevertheless, a remarkable finding that may be relevant for forensic odontostomatology was seen in one case where the lower wisdom teeth were taller than the occlusal plane, although the female patient was younger than 14 years. The upper molars were retained and root development was incomplete.     

Success in opposition – failure in government: explaining the performance of right-wing populist parties in public office

Drawing on a conceptual distinction between traditional right-wing extremist and right-wing populist parties, this article examines the performance of the latter in public office. The central argument is that the specific populist aspects of such parties allow them to succeed in opposition and to do well at the game of elections. Once in government, their unique strengths turn into disadvantages. Significant structural weaknesses inherent in populist parties pose nearly insurmountable problems that make their long-term success in government questionable. The analysis also shows that the rise of right-wing populism has substantially increased the opportunity structures of conservative parties. Following the theoretical discussion, the article examines the case of the Austrian Freedom Party and draws parallels with the Italian and Dutch cases.     

Reviews

Japan's International Relations, by Takashi Inoguchi. Pinter Publishers, London, 1991. xii + 190 pp. £10.95 paperback, £39.50 hardback. ISBN 0–86187–095–6, 0–86187–076‐X.

NIPPON: New Superpower, Japan since 1945, by William Horsley and Roger Buckley. BBC Books, London, 1990. x + 278 pp., 24 pp. plates. £15. ISBN 0–563–20875–9.

Korea Briefing, 1990, edited by Chong‐Sik Lee. Westview, Boulder, CO, 1991. viii + 175 pp. £9.95 paperback. ISBN 0–8133–8010–3.

Britain and the Korean War, by Callum MacDonald. Blackwell, Oxford, 1990. viii + 112 pp. £17.50 hardback, £8.95 paperback. ISBN 0–631–16769–2, 0–631–16771–4.

The Future of South Korean‐U.S. Security Relations, edited by William J. Taylor Jr., Young Koo Cha, John Q. Blodgett, and Michael Mazarr. Westview Press, Boulder CO, 1989. £22.50. ISBN 0–8133–7889–3.

The Cambodian Crisis and U.S. Policy Dilemmas, by Robert G. Sutter. Westview Press, Boulder, CO, 1991. vi + 135 pp. £15.50, paperback. ISBN 0–8133–8047–2.

Opium and Foreign Policy: The Anglo‐American Search for Order in Asia: 1912–1954, by William O. Walker III. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill and London, 1991. xvi + 345 pp. $43.95. ISBN 0–8078–1970.

Beautiful Imperialist: China Perceives America, 1972–1990, by David Shambaugh. Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1991. 326 pp. £25, $35. ISBN 0–691–07864–5.

Building Sino‐American Relations: An Analysis for the 1990s, edited by William T. Tow. Paragon House, New York, 1991. vii + 327 pp. $18.95 paperback. ISBN 0–88702–061–5.

Molding the Medium: The Chinese Communist Party and the Liberation Daily, by Patricia Stranahan. M. E. Sharpe, Armonk NY and London, 1991. x + 189 pp. $39.95 ISBN 0–87332–662–8.

The Privatization of China: The Great Reversal, by William Hinton. New York, Monthly Review Press, 1990; Earthscan Publications, London, 1991.191 pp. £7.95 paperback. ISBN 1–85383–098–4.

Rural Reform and Peasant Income in China, by Zhu Ling. Macmillan, Houndmills and London, 1991. xiv + 204 pp. £35 hardback, £14.99 paperback. ISBN 0–333–49743–0, 0–333–49744–9.

China's Defence Modernisation and Military Leadership, by Ngok Lee. Australian National University Press, Sydney, 1989. xxi + 395 pp. ISBN 0–08–033046–0.

Taiwan: China's Last Frontier, by Simon Long. Macmillan, Houndmills and London, 1991. xix + 264 pp. £40 hardback, £14.99 paperback. ISBN 0–333–51292–8, 0–333–51293–6.

Party‐Military Relations in the PRC and Taiwan: Paradoxes of Control, by Cheng Hsiao‐shih. Westview Special Studies on China and East Asia, Boulder, CO, 1990. xiv + 178 pp. £18.50. ISBN 0–8133–7738–2.

Modern Taiwan in the 1990s, edited by Garry Klintworth. Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence No. 75. Australian National University, Canberra, 1991. 216 pp. A$15. ISBN 07315–11689.

Shanghai, by Harriet Sergeant. Jonathan Cape, London, 1991. xi + 371 pp., 16 pp. plates, maps. £16.99. ISBN 0–224–02816–2.

An Illustrated History of Hong Kong, by Nigel Cameron. Oxford University Press, Hong Kong, 1991. 362 pp., maps, illus. £25. ISBN 0–19–584997–3.

Hong Kong 1977: dans la gueule du Dragon rouge, by Jules Nadeau with Mathieu‐Robert Sauvé and Judith Bélanger. Editions Québec/Amérique, Montreal, 1990. 306 pp., maps, illus. Can$26.95. ISBN 2–89037–513–7.

Australia in the International Economy in the Twentieth Century, by Barrie Dyster and David Meredith. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990. xvi + 362 pp. £39.50 hardback, £15.00 paperback. ISBN 0–521–33496–9, 0–521–33689–9.

Art and Identity in Oceania, edited by F. Allan Hanson and Louise Hanson. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu, 1990. viii + 315 pp., illus. £37. ISBN 0–8248–1304–0.

The Pacific, by Simon Winchester. Hutchinson, London, 1991. xi + 501 pp. £19.99. ISBN 0–09–173485–1.     

Establishing Tobacco Origin from Pollen Identification: An Approach to Resolving the Debate

Previous research into pollen content of tobacco resulted in a debate. We address this debate and determine that pollen analysis may be able to assist with identifying geographical origin of tobacco. However, the value of any results should be assessed on a case‐by‐case regional basis until sufficient database information is available for an objective interpretation to be undertaken on a global basis. As a first step toward developing comparative data for South America, we analyzed a tobacco sample from Brazil in an effort to identify signature taxa from the state of Minas Gerais. We also assessed the role of honey additives to tobacco to assess this issue. Comparing the data to previously published data, we conclude that pollen signatures can distinguish broad geographic areas. We conclude that this forensic interpretation framework needs to be developed in context of the National Academy of Sciences recommendations for tightening methods in forensic science.