Forensic science international
-
Historical Article
Malpractice--role of the forensic pathologist in Germany.
Medicolegal malpractice assessments have been an important part of the work of forensic pathologists. Not only botchers are concerned but also physicians of all clinical subjects, especially malpractice charges claiming a malpractice leading to death. ⋯ After World War II systematic studies of malpractice charges first were published in the 1960s. Meanwhile the attention focuses more and more on the role of forensic pathologists to help in prevention of malpractice.
-
Historical Article
Textbooks on legal medicine in the German-speaking countries.
In this survey, the textbooks on legal medicine which were published in the German-speaking countries from the 17th century up to now are briefly reviewed. The textbooks with the most impact on the further development of legal medicines were those published by Johann Ludwig Casper in Berlin and Eduard Ritter von Hofmann in Vienna in the 19th century. The main textbooks of the 20th century are addressed as well, also the different development in both German countries.
-
Biography Historical Article
Portraits of some founders of the German Society of Legal Medicine.
In the preceding paper by W. Krauland the foundation of the German Society of Legal Medicine, which took place at the 76th meeting of the German Naturalists and Physicians in Breslau, 1904, was described in detail. ⋯ They were respected scientists in their field, working at different universities in Germany and Austria. Life and scientific work of these founders of the German Society of Legal Medicine shall be described in short portraits.
-
Historical Article
History of forensic serology and molecular genetics in the sphere of activity of the German Society for Forensic Medicine.
In the field of forensic serology, essential developmental impulses have come from the sphere of activity of the German Society for Forensic Medicine. Among these are the orientating enzyme-reactive and specific tests for blood using crystallization tests, the determination of the species-specificity of the donor of the stain and the beginning of the individualization of a stain to its donor. ⋯ DNA analysis originated in the Anglo-Saxon region. The German Society for Forensic Medicine also contributed to its further progress and essentially influenced it e.g. by the discovery of microsatellite markers, including STRs, by the validation of numerous test methods, by optimization of these methods and by preliminary work for the use of mass spectrometry in DNA analysis.