Forensic biological examination--the reality and perspectives

The point of view of authors on the modern condition and priority directions of the development of examination of biological material evidence is set out. The main idea consists in the necessarily of reorganization and correction of organization methodical base of examination of biological material evidence. The role and place in examination of material evidence of traditional serological and new--molecule genetic components are determined in this direction. It is noted that forensic biology must not ever be associated with only one of its part--serological methods of analysis. Under growing influence of molecule genetic component the semantic, and methodical content of forensic examination of material evidence. This is not already auxiliary differentiation of examination objects but conclusive set of their equality or difference. Thus forensic biological department of forensic medical examination Office must become expert compartments of new type due for complex analysis of material evidence where molecule genetic technologies lie in the centre. All other methodical compartments of forensic biology also will be used but as auxiliary and additional methods. In perspective it is necessary to enlarge and centralize of high-tech forensic molecule genetic laboratories based on common science-methodical approach. Unfavorable outcome of medical aid: study of the problem in forensic medicine practice     

The macro- and micromorphological signs of the edge of stabbing-cutting weapons in skin wounds

110 stab-cut skin wounds in 34 dead bodies as well as 38 stab-cut instruments were studied. Three morphologic types of traces left by blade edges of stab-cut instruments, i.e. puncture, microrupture and microcut, were established. Gross and micromorphology of each of these traces depends on the properties of blade edges of stab-cut instruments.     

A kinematic study of a human mannequin in a simulation of head-on vehicular collisions]

A method of modelling head-on car collisions at the catapult MTS 858.05 was developed. Mechanism of human body movement was determined and traces of contact interaction on clothes and car interior parts were detected.     

Genomic "dactyloscopy" with the use of bacteriophage M13 as a DNA probe (the expertise of material evidence and personal identification)

In this article the authors give a scientific evaluation of genetic dactyloscopy method in which the sites of human chromosomal DNA, possessing structural polymorphism, act as genetic markers. Technology of genome "dactyloscopy" including both the series of standard conventional methods and new methods is presented. The method is highly sensitive and requires small amounts of material for investigation. A practical case is described when genome "dactyloscopy" gave positive results which led to a conclusion on suspect's involvement in the crime.     

The primary investigation of material evidence and the evaluation of its suitability for expert biological identification by genomic "dactyloscopy"

Use of DNA "fingerprinting" method for biological analysis of material evidences exhibit new potentials for making concrete expert conclusions. But such expertise is time consuming and difficult to perform that's why it is important to evaluate fitness of expert material for DNA fingerprinting at early stages of object investigation. Method of preliminary treatment of objects sent for DNA fingerprint expertise in case of sexual assault is suggested and tested. This method allows one to evaluate objects easily from the standpoint of possibility to perform such investigation.     

Typing of mitochondrial DNA from isolated cells of the human buccal epithelium

The authors have developed a method for molecular-genetic analysis of DNA from isolated cells for the purpose of forensic medical diagnostics. The method is based on the use of the laser capture microdissection (LCM) technology in combination with typing of mitochondrial DNA. Optimization of the conditions for amplification of polymorphic mtDNA loci in preparations containing minimal amounts of the genetic material was accomplished at the initial stage of the work. To this effect, the two-round polymerase chain reaction was employed that allowed the amplified material to be accumulated in the amount sufficient for sequenation. At the next stages, the system thus obtained was tested on the cell model (using isolated cells of human buccal epithelium). It was shown that the proposed method is suitable for the analysis of specific mtDNA characteristics in a single human cell.     

Computer-aided personality identification by skull and life-time photography by POSKID 1.1 method

An improved method for computer-aided personality identification by the skull, based on the POSKID 1.1 software, consists in investigation of enlarged images of the skull and life-time photograph of the probable individual by coordinates of 49 anatomical points; independent quantitative evaluation of the aspect of each of the compared objects by the X, Y, and Z axes; formal evaluation of the results of comparative study of the skull-portrait by multidimensional discriminant analysis models. The proposed version differs from the POSKID 1.0 software in the method for evaluating the spatial position of the head on the portrait and adequate orientation of the skull in space, which necessitates the utilization of coordinate-regulated holder POSKID 1.1 method is based on multidimensional discriminant analysis and suggests a virtually reliable solution in 76.13-80.65% cases, a probable solution (positive and negative) in 11.61-18.06% cases, and motivated refusal from solution in 5.81-7.74% cases. In case of a probable or indefinite solution further investigations are recommended making use of life-time photographs with different aspects.     

Spatial position of the cranium in craniofacial establishment of identity

A total of 90 images of male cranes from different groups of horizontal profiling (120 +/- 10 degrees, 140 +/- 10 degrees, 160 +/- 10 degrees) were studied in experiment with the coordinate-controlled complex for turning angle (from the position full face to the right and left by 14 degrees with spacing 2 degrees). Each image was marked according to the system of 18 control points. Precision of the angle fixation was 0.1 degrees. Calculation of the angles of horizontal profiling and turning of the crane were made according to a specially devised program INPUTTING. Statistic processing of the computer data base made it possible to calculate precision rates of marking points and regression equation describing the pattern of cranial control points in turning. It is shown that presicion of the turning angle estimation with reference to horizontal profiling is much higher than without it. Basing on the data obtained a method of zeroing of coordinates of the control points (placing in position for correct scaling of the objects of craniofacial identification) was devised. The method allows greater reliability of the results of personal craniofacial identification.     

Practical use of the molecular-genetic technologies in solving the tasks of forensic medical identification of remains in emergencies with huge human death toll

Previously, we have developed different variants, for the expert use, of information technologies, i.e. of computer automated analytical systems, to ensure an effective analysis of huge bulwarks of molecular-genetic expert findings. The results obtained in the above research significantly advanced the possibilities of expert evaluation related with personality identification under the conditions of a big death toll; they also cleaned the ground for the introduction of such methodological approaches in the practice of investigations of emergency accidents involving huge death tolls. Described within the present case study is a practical experience of forensic medical identification of unrecognized remains in air crashes with huge human death tolls implemented through computer-assisted complex molecular-genetic tests on the basis of indirect DNA identification involving the establishment of blood relationship.     

Study of species specificity of the amelogenin system for genetic sex determination

The properties of amelogenin amplification system and, in particular, of its species specificity, were studied. DNA preparations extracted from cattle (cow/bull), pig, ram and from poultry (hen), as well as from dog and cat, were used as a matrix for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involving a standard scheme of enzymatic amplification of the amelogenin gene. It was demonstrated that, unlike for the human DNA, the amelogenin test couldn't be used for the DNA of examined animals as a sex-specific marker. However, there is a danger of a false determination of the male sex in the female origin samples during a forensic-experts' typing of the amelogenin gene, if there is an admixture of an animal DNA to a human DNA preparation. As for the biological samples of the animal origin, there is a possibility of a false-female sex determination. It can be attributed to an incorrectly selected standard of the molecular weight or to its remote location on the gel as well as to the use of an inaccurately calculated algorithm designed for determining the sizes of analyzed fragments.