Rulemap upload & validation
Exercise: Decision-making process
The Rulemapping method lays the foundation for automated decision-making. A Rulemap captures the logic of a legal norm in a way that lets it run step by step—just like a program. In the following exercise, we will manually work through this decision-making process.
- Please begin by downloading and unzipping the provided .zip-file.
- Then, upload the extracted Rulemap “223_224StGB_Rulemap_Exercise.xml” into the Rulemap Builder. This Rulemap is already fully modeled and reflects the structure of Section 223 (1) StGB (simple bodily harm) as well as the corresponding qualifying elements of dangerous bodily harm under Section 224 StGB, allowing both to be reviewed in a structured manner.
- Next, conduct a manual review for each of the five sample cases (fact patterns) provided. Determine whether the facts amount to bodily harm or dangerous bodily harm. Record your conclusion and the specific reason that led to that result.
The manual review is carried out by clicking the rectangular field to the right of each node. Three states are used: green means “true” or “satisfied”, red means “false” or “not satisfied”, and white means “not yet checked”.
Sample cases (fact patterns):
Fact pattern 1
A ignites B’s shirt with a lighter that produces thermal heat. Although B is able to extinguish the fire quickly, he sustains a painful burn wound on his left arm. The question is whether A has committed the offense of bodily harm — and possibly dangerous bodily harm.
Fact pattern 2
Anton (A), Balderich (B), and Casimir (C) are playing soccer together on the village field on a sunny afternoon, just as they often do. The mood is cheerful, and all three are highly motivated to outdo one another with tricks and goals. During the game, B manages to maneuver the ball past C with a skillful dribble and heads toward the goal.
C, feeling humiliated by the move, becomes increasingly angry. In a moment when no one is paying close attention, he rushes toward B, disregarding the game entirely, deliberately trips him, and accepts that B may be injured as a result. B loses his balance, falls uncontrollably, and crashes shoulder-first into the solid metal goal frame.
The impact causes a severe bruise to his shoulder and a bleeding abrasion that visibly causes him pain. A, who witnessed the incident, immediately runs to assist B, while C quietly laughs to himself.
Has C committed the offense of bodily harm?
Fact pattern 3
Oskar, Max, and Lado are on their way to a bar. On the way, the three friends get into an animated discussion about basketball, and the mood between Oskar and Max becomes increasingly heated. Lado tries to mediate, but the two ignore him.
When they arrive at the bar, they order drinks and continue their discussion. At a nearby table sits a loud guest named Tim, who is celebrating a birthday with his friends. Tim notices the heated argument and cannot resist making a mocking comment about Oskar’s favorite team. Already agitated, Oskar tells Tim to stay out of it. Tim merely laughs and adds another provocative remark.
Max, attempting to de-escalate, steps between Oskar and Tim. But Oskar refuses to calm down and yells at Tim to stop provoking him. Tim, now irritated as well, gets up from his chair and pushes Oskar. In the process, Oskar spills his beer, which escalates the situation even further.
In an impulsive moment, Oskar grabs an empty glass from the table and throws it in Tim’s direction. The glass strikes Tim on the forehead, causing a bleeding laceration. Other guests in the bar rush over to intervene and attend to Tim. Oskar stands there in shock, while Lado and Max attempt to explain the situation.
The police are called, and Oskar must now answer to allegations of bodily harm.
Did Oskar commit the offense of bodily harm?
Fact pattern 4
Max, Oskar, and Lado are on their way to a bar. As they walk, Max and Oskar get into a lively discussion about soccer. The argument grows increasingly heated, and Lado attempts—without success—to calm the two down.
Once they arrive at the bar, the discussion continues. A guest at a nearby table, Tim, who is celebrating a birthday with friends, interjects with a mocking remark about Max’s favorite team. Already irritated, Max tells Tim to stay out of it.
When Tim adds another provocative comment, Max becomes angry. Tim gets up and gives Max a light push, causing Max to spill his beer.
Max then punches Tim in the face. Tim falls to the ground and sustains a split lip and minor swelling around his eye.
Has Max committed the offense of bodily harm?
Fact pattern 5
An influencer was offering hyaluronic acid treatments on her Instagram account without holding the license required to practice as a non-medical practitioner.
Between September 2016 and April 2019, as part of these unlawful cosmetic procedures, she injected hyaluronic acid into the noses, nasolabial folds, or lips of 33 female clients.
Due to improper application, nine of these clients developed nodules or lumps in their lips.
What criminal offenses has the influencer committed?
