All up-to-date aspects of DNA technology are discussed partly in review lectures but mostly in research articles in this volume: new methods, population statistics for different restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP's), new developments dealing with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), biostatistical aspects of single locus and multi locus profiles as well as examples of practical applications in paternity testing and forensic stain analysis. Contributors to this volume include most internationally acclaimed researchers in this field. Besides facts that are primarily of interest to forensic scientists, immunohaematologists and human geneticists should also find some aspects for their research.

For the first time, the proceedings of our biennial congress of the Society for Forensic Haemogenetics will be published by Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg New York. The different areas of research now include cellu- lar allotypes, i. e. not only the traditional red cell antigens, but also those of white cells and platelets. Plasma isoproteins and intracellular isoenzy- mes, DNA polymorphisms (restriction length fragment and banding), and biostatistics are further topics in our Society. They also deserve our special attention in the future. The practical applications comprise paren- tage testing, stain analysis, population genetics, molecular biology and other immunogenetic aspects. The 11th Congress in Copenhagen was an excellent opportunity to pre- sent our broad spectrum of scientific activities at an international forum. Among the many outstanding lectures from different parts of the world, D. A. Hopkinson's contribution on genetic variation of human enzymes and H. Matsumoto's lecture on immunoglobulin allotypes in China should be mentioned here and also L. Bolund's communication on DNA. An optimal exchange of scientific information was achieved by the arrangement of main lectures, poster sessions and workshops. The Con- gress president Dr. Klavs Henningsen deserves our special thanks for his efforts in the excellent organization of this congress.

Ersticken - sei es mit Todesfolge oder mit Uberleben des Opfers - gehort zu den haufigsten Formen mechanischer Gewalteinwirkung und zu den zentralen Themen in der forensischen Pathologie. Wie in kaum einem anderen Bereich der gerichtlichen Medizin ist die Begutachtung mit schwierigster Differentialdiagnostik und Problemen des Sachbeweises verbunden. Die Beitrage dieses Buches reichen von der Pathophysiologie, postmortalen Biochemie, Makro- und Mikromorphologie uber die Technik der anatomischen Praparation und klinischen Untersuchung bis zu den juristischen Aspekten. Fragen wie z. B. ausseres Verletzungsmuster, Geschehensablauf, Handlungsfahigkeit, Uberlebenszeit, Beweiswert von Stauungsblutungen, Gefahrlichkeit des Angriffs auf den Hals, Totungsabsicht, Differenzierung von Suizid/Unfall/Homizid werden ebenfalls diskutiert. Das Buch zeigt die Fortschritte, Moglichkeiten und Grenzen in der Beweisfuhrung unter forensischen Aspekten auf und gibt damit fur die praktische Begutachtung vor Ort und in foro eine aktuelle Standortbestimmung.