Determination of the human age based on the characteristics of the bone tissue

The principal characteristics of the investigations concerning estimation of the human age are presented. The new high-precision methods for the microosteometric determination of the biological age of man have been developed. The methodological basis for the application of microosteomeric data to the computer-assisted analysis of the images has been created. Taken together, the results of the present study guarantee the high accuracy of the measurements, save labour time, and expand the possibilities for the documentation and control of the experts' work.     

EVALUATION UNDER CONTRACT: GOVERNMENT PRESSURE AND THE PRODUCTION OF POLICY RESEARCH

Do governments lean on researchers who evaluate their policies to try to get them to produce politically useful results? Do researchers buckle under such pressure? This article, based on a survey of 205 academics who have recently completed commissioned research for government, looks at the degree to which British government departments seek to produce research that is designed to provide ‘political ammunition’, above all making them ‘look good’ or minimizing criticism of their policies. Looking at different stages in the research process – from deciding which policies to evaluate, shaping the nature and conduct of inquiry, and writing the results – the article finds evidence of government sponsors making significant efforts to produce politically congenial results. For the most part, researchers appear to resist these efforts, though the evidence base (researchers' own accounts of their work) suggests that this conclusion be treated with some caution.     

Possible express identification of human remains in case of their intense destruction after exposure to physical factors

The problem of identification of human remains is still one of the most difficult and pressing problems of forensic medicine. Such identification is particularly difficult in cases of intense destruction caused by exposure to physical factors (explosion, contusion, fire, compression, etc.). Approaches to identification in such cases are less available and differ essentially from traditional approaches used, for example, in cases when the remains are exposed to natural long-acting factors. This "white spot" is attempted to be liquidated by investigating aircraft accidents with grave destructive results. The potentialities of express identification of human remains in such cases are shown and a complex of characteristic signs which can serve as the landmarks are distinguished. The authors emphasize the strict adherence to certain regulations when working at the site of technogenic disasters and the hazards of disordering the process of identification in case these regulations are neglected.     

The use of the andragogic model of education at different stages of studying the "forensic medicine" discipline

The technology of education for adult subjects, i.e. the scientifically-sound system of andragogic principles for the education of adults (both teachers and learners), is considered. Putting these principles into practice leads with a high degree of probability to the achievement of the sought goals of education. These principles as well as the andragogic educational model itself are recommended for a wider application to the system of education for senior students, junior physicians, and resident medical practitioners with a view to improving the efficacy of the educational process.     

Age-specific changes in bone tissue microstructure and potential for use for human identification

The possibility of using the data of quantitative microscopy of bone tissue for evaluation of age with the aim of personality identification is discussed. Computer histomorphological analysis of third rib, tibial lower epiphysis and diaphysis fragments from 564 male corpses of known age (0-90 years) was carried out. A complex of parameters most strongly correlating with age was detected: extension of active osteogenesis zone in the longitudinal section of a rib, thickness of layers of internal and external general diaphyseal laminae in the tibial bone, trabecular area in the tibial epiphyseal preparation, etc. Age-specific changes in bone tissue structures is characterized by a great variety and depends on the type and location of these structures. Bone tissue characteristics change irregularly and asynchronously, therefore their correlations with age are different in different age groups. A general biological interpretation of the results is offered.