First and foremost I am deeply indebted for the invaluable assistance of
Prof. Dr. Erich Buchholz of the Humboldt University in East Berlin in
carrying out my research in the GDR since 1984; he was unfailingly
responsive, and his patient explanations as well as his extensive prac-
tical aid in making contacts and arrangements for me facilitated com-
prehension of the GDR criminal justice system.

Many members of university faculties and academies in the GDR were
supportive and informative. In particular, I would like to thank Prof.
Dr. Horst Luther ( Humboldt University), Prof. Dr. Günther Kräupl ( Jena
University), Dr. Hans-Dietrich Lehmann ( Humboldt University, Supreme
Court), Prof. Dr. Rolf Uhlmann ( Humboldt University), Dr. Bernd Löwe
( Academy of Sciences of the GDR, Humboldt University), and Dr.
Frohmut Müller ( Academy for Political Science and Jurisprudence).
Without the willingness of members of the police to share their knowl-
edge with me, I could not have completed the research. Special thanks
are due to Oberrat Wolfgang Degenhardt of the Public Relations Depart-
ment of the police presidency in Berlin, and to Dr. Ernst-Dieter Erdmann
and his colleagues who had responsibility for the process of dissolution
of the MfS in the district of Berlin for providing extensive information
and material concerning the operation of the Ministry for State Security.

Understanding of the GDR was enhanced as well by conversations
with scholars in the FRG who have for decades studied its legal and polit-
ical systems. Especially helpful were Professor Dr. Hartmut Zimmermann
( Free University of Berlin) and Professor Dr. Friedrich-Christian Schroeder
( University of Regensburg).

I would like to express my appreciation of the consistent encourage-
ment of the dean of the College of Criminal Justice, Dr. Willian J. Mathias,
and to the other members of the faculty of the college and the students
whose interest and questions provided stimulation.

-xvii-