Molecular-genetic forensic expert investigations in the Russian Federation: problems and perspectives

Introduction of molecular-genetic technology into forensic-medical expert practice in Russia took place in unfavourable conditions of poor financial support and, consequently, the results appeared unsatisfactory. Organisation and functioning of genetic laboratories must be controlled and provided with an adequate system of training personnel and professional control. Application of molecular-genetic methods in forensic medicine meets the needs of expert practice if it is based on the systemic approach. The system is proposed to be headed by Russian Center for Forensic-Medical Expert Examination. This center is to update and control the activity of all institutions involved in forensic medical expert examination in Russia and conduct monitoring of the studies and training of specialists for the system.     

The main results of expert activities in the forensic biological departments of the bureau of forensic medical expertise of the Russian Federation for 2009

This paper reports the main results of expert activities in the forensic biological departments of the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise of the Russian Federation for 2009. Analysis of expert data is supplemented by the comparison of the efficacy of the methods applied for the purpose of forensic medical studies. The information about the staff composition, material and technical support of the forensic biological departments is presented. A number of drawbacks have been revealed in the work of the forensic biological departments; recommendations are proposed for the improvement of their activities.     

Forensic medical evaluation of flaws in medical care rendered at public health institutions in the Russian Federation

The authors analyze the flaws in medical care rendered at various public health institutions by the results of 2436 expert committee conclusions, verified at bureaus of forensic medical expert evaluations. The essence and causes of these defects at the hospital and prehospital stages of medical care, rendered by physicians of different specializations and nurses, are analyzed.     

American forensic psychiatrists who work in state institutions

The authors surveyed a sample of American forensic psychiatrists who work in state institutions. As a group, their respondents tended to be middle-aged, white men, who had little formal training in forensic psychiatry, felt somewhat alienated from their peers, yet who were Board certified in general psychiatry. They tended to be involved primarily in the direct treatment of patients, and most often expressed concerns about the care-and prominent lack of aftercare--received by forensic patients. They also perceived a sense of patient futility in the institutional forensic setting. The authors conclude by recommending that AAPL take a more active role in appealing to and representing such forensic psychiatrists.     

The status of the forensic biological service in the Russian Federation in 1997]

The main parameters of the activities of forensic biological departments are analyzed for the year 1997. The staff, number of experts, number of expert evaluations and objects of examination, and work load per staff expert are presented. Shortcomings in the activities of departments are enumerated and recommendations for improving the quality of expert evaluations are offered.     

Russian Federation Federal Law On the General Principles of the Organization of Local Self-Government in the Russian Federation

The 2011 recertification of the Russian police force has been accompanied by numerous violations of legal procedures.     

On the competitiveness between parties in judicial proceedings with the participation of a forensic medical expert

The authors report the results of analysis of the rights of the participants in judicial proceedings (both the prosecution and the defense) to appoint and carry out forensic medical expertise in the course of the criminal court process.     

The problems of personnel training for military forensic medical expertise under the current reform of the military forces in the Russian Federation

The educational sphere is becoming a major priority in the state policy. The Concept of national security for the Russian Federation regards intellectual impairment as a most serious internal threat to the military security. It declares that the operational efficiency of the armed forces should be based on high-quality education of specialists. The current reform of the military forces in the Russian Federation envisages the modification of the forensic medical expertise and the system of training relevant personnel. The post-diploma education of forensic medical experts encounters difficulties at all levels. In all probability, such education will be performed in the near future through the primary retraining mechanism. In the course of the ongoing reform, the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Military Medical Academy remains the sole facility for the post-diploma education of military forensic medical experts. The teaching staff of the department have sufficient qualification and experience for training highly skilled specialists as stipulated by the reform of the military forces in the Russian Federation.     

Algorhythm of making forensic medical expert examinations by medical documents in obstetric-gynecological practice

Most of the suits brought against medical professionals concern obstetricians-gynecologists. The experienced clinicians take part in commissions of experts to certify validity of diagnosis, treatment, operations, manipulations. Current state of obstetric-gynecological expertise is characterized. Algorithm of making obstetric-gynecological examinations is proposed. Criteria on forensic-medical assessment of medical care conducted in comparison with current standards of this care are formulated.     

论俄罗斯联邦检察院在俄罗斯生态法实施中的监督功能

建立完善、有力的生态法律监督机制,是保障生态法律实施的重要条件.俄罗斯自独立以来,在法律监督方面不仅继承了前苏联的先进做法,而且根据国情又不断地加以创新.俄罗斯联邦检察院作为俄罗斯法律监督的主要国家机关,在俄罗斯生态法实施中所起到监督作用是全面的、深入的.通过对俄罗斯联邦检察院进行生态法实施监督的法律依据,监督的具体领域,专门的自然保护检察院在俄罗斯生态法实施中的作用,以及俄罗斯联邦检察院对生态法实施进行监督的方式做了具体分析,阐述了俄罗斯联邦检察院在俄罗斯生态法实施中的监督功能.     

New prospects in forensic medical expert evaluation of perforating wounds of the eye

The criterion "percentage of stable loss of total working capacity" is usually used in expert evaluation of perforated wounds of the eyes. However it does not always allow an objective evaluation of the ocular status. Visual acuity can vary greatly during the posttraumatic period for a rather long time, becoming worse or better during up to 1 year. Treatment and observations of 160 victims (165 eyes) helped determine the major clinical symptoms of perforated wounds and distinguish 8 symptoms characteristic of severe injuries. Use of these symptoms as criteria for evaluating the severity of injury inflicted to health helps make an objective conclusion without waiting for recovery.     

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.     

Current status and prospects for developing chemical-toxicological (forensic chemical) studies in the Russian Federation

The authors discuss modern state and prospects of planning and carrying out research in forensic (toxicological) chemistry within the framework of practical forensic medical expert evaluation, state of forensic medical expert evaluation of alcohol and narcotic intoxication, and other pressing problems of forensic medical expert practice.