Legal regulation and management of fee for services in the state expert institutions

With due regard for the economic situation in regions, differences in the material-technical and personnel provision of each forensic-medical bureau (FMB), paying capacity of local residents and for other factors, a method for estimating the cost of forensic medical services was elaborated and offered for use. The formula of cost estimation for rendered services allow for basic wages (BW) and bonuses, sick-list and vacation payments, overhead charges (including FMB wear-and-tear), and BW assignment to off-budget funds (which constitute, in total, the self-cost of services) as well as the planned profit and road taxes.     

Forensic and medical aspects of lethality from thromboembolytic complications of trauma,diseases and certain pathological conditions

A total of 743 lethal outcomes of thromboembolytic complications of trauma, diseases and certain pathological conditions as observed in 1999-2001 and in the three quarters of 2002 were studied. The undertaken analysis confirmed two factors provoking the pathological thrombosis, i.e. 1. Pathological changes observed in the surface vascular wall preconditioned by mechanical damages, atherosclerotic process and aging; and 2. A slower blood flow due to an impaired blood circulation, a forced positioning and to hypodynamics. While deciding on a possibility of a direct cause-effect relation between past traumas, surgeries, poisonings and death of thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries (TEPA), such relation can be mentioned only on rare occasions. It is more often the case that an indirect, mediated relationship is found, when TERA evolves due to an unfavorable combination of risk factors, i.e. a forced immobility, changing coagulated blood system, impaired blood vessels etc.     

Dependence of acute opiate poisoning lethal outcome on the gender, age, and duration of addiction

The article presents toxicological characteristics of 198 cases of acute parenteral poisoning with morphine and heroin in the range of concentrations of their metabolites in the blood and urine which occur in practice. Risk of death is quantified in the range of possible morphine concentrations in the blood in acute opiates intoxication with reference to gender and age. Assessment of the criteria of quantitative opiates toxicity was made according to the method of logit regression and dose-effect curve suitable for analysis of correlations between probability of death and blood concentrations of opiates metabolites. Conditional lethal doses in respect to gender and age are calculated.     

Circumstances and toxicological characteristics of deadly opiates poisoning

Facts of prehospital death of 109 heroin addicts are analysed and systematized. It is shown that examination of the corpse at the point of detection may provide information on the circumstances of death and its cause. Correlation between morphine concentration in the corpse tissues and circumstances of death is studied. It is found that information about the victim and facts of his/her death suggest cause of death and help in directions of post-mortem examination and choice of diagnostic procedures.     

Detection of antimony topography using diffuse-contact method on the skin targets of bio-manikins after shooting with Makarov gun from short distance

The authors examined sedimentation of stibium in the area of experimental skin entry holes generated by Makarov gun shots from different distances. Regularities of allocation of stibium subject to the distance of the shot were determined. Practical recommendations for expert conclusion about the distance of the shot were given on the grounds of the results of the study.     

Forensic-medical diagnostic implication of morphine levels in the blood and urine

Toxicological characteristics are presented for 198 cases of acute parenteral poisoning with morphine and heroin. The range of their metabolites concentration in the blood and urine encountered in practice are analysed. Principal causes of death due to opiate poisoning in inpatients are shown. Opiates toxicity was assessed by the method of logit-regression and dose-effect curves for analysis of probability of death depending on opiate metabolite concentration in blood and urine. Relations between probability of death and detection of morphine in biological media of the victims are considered. Morphine concentrations in the blood and urine undoubtedly indicating morphine poisoning are determined.     

The characteristics of gunshot and blast trauma in Moscow in 1997

Forensic medical, social, and criminological characteristics of 417 cases with gunshot and explosion injuries investigated at Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of Moscow in 1997 are presented. Public and social groups of victims and types of violent deaths are discussed.     

The trend in lethal poisonings with narcotic substances in Moscow

The analysis of the 1989-2005 records of the Moscow Bureau of Forensic-Medical Examinations, statistics on lethal narcotic poisonings by gender, age, education, social and family status has revealed that the trend to reduction of the number of narcotic substances (NS) poisonings stopped in 2003. There was a 238.4% rise in the above poisonings in 2004. The highest rise was in the age group of 21-25-year-olds (35.7%; CI = 0.34-0.37; p = 0.05) and 26-30-year-olds (29.6%; CI = 0.28-0.31; p = 0.05). Among lethal cases one-third were unemployed (35.8%; CI = 0.34-0.37; p = 0.05) and one-forth were workers (22.2%; CI = 0.20-0.24; p = 0.05). By the family status, most of the dead were unmarried (57%; CI = 0.55-0.59; p = 0.05). This study gives a complete and accurate picture of the structure of narcotic drug poisonings. Relevant preventive measures are proposed.     

Diagnostic implication of blood and urine morphine content in alcohol intoxication

A total of 198 cases of acute parenteral poisoning with opiates are characterized. The range of concentrations of opiates metabolites in the blood and urine, main causes of death due to opiate poisoning in alcohol intoxication are analysed. Opiates toxicity was assessed with the logit-regression method and dose-effect curves valid for analysis of relationships between probability of death and opiate metabolites concentration in blood and urine. Correlation between probability of death and detection of morphine and ethanol in biological media of the victims is considered. Concentrations of morphine in blood and urine definitely indicating opiates poisoning in alcohol intoxication as a cause of death are determined.