Organization and procedure of forensic medical expert evaluation of professional working capacity loss

Sixty-one forensic medical expert conclusions on the loss of professional working capacity are analyzed and typical errors are characterized. The procedure of forensic medical expert evaluation of the degree of loss of professional working capacity in accordance with the Civil Code and Civil Judicial Procedure Code of the Russian Federation and the actual norm-setting documents is described.     

Forensic medical evaluation of harm severity inflicted to one's health by slight craniocerebral injuries in the remote period

A pressing problem is discussed: forensic medical evaluation of harm inflicted to health by slight craniocerebral injuries. Analysis of 2150 expert forensic medical and medico-social conclusions revealed serious organization and methodological errors in evaluation of harm inflicted to health by slight craniocerebral injuries. Approaches to improving the quality of such forensic medical expert evaluations are outlined.     

Defects in medical care rendered by private practitioners (or institutions)

Fifty-one conclusions of forensic expert medical committees on criminal and civil cases instituted against private medical institutions and physicians are analyzed. Sixteen expert evaluations concerned dental care, 15 were on cosmetic operations, etc. Flaws in medical care, their causes and consequences are analyzed. Tentative expert evaluation of similar cases is made.     

Organization and methodological activities of Russian Center for Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Analyzes the organization and methodological activities of Russian Center for Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations in 1996-1998. Informs about the federal law on forensic medical expert evaluations and norm-setting acts aimed at improvement of forensic medical service in the Russian Federation, which have been developed at the Center. Offers recommendations on improving the quality control of expert evaluations at territorial centers and continuous education of experts. Formulates the main tasks of the Center fort the nearest future.     

Forensic medical expert evaluation in connection with civil actions of patients complaining of improper dental care

The authors discuss questions facing forensic medical experts in connection with civil "medical" actions. The questions are classified as common and private. Expert evaluations of correspondence of the scope and quality of dental care are offered as the base for analysis of these problems within the framework of civil legislation. The data evidence efficiency of forensic medical expert evaluations in civil legal procedure and the significance of forensic medical service in the solution of problems of quality and efficiency of medical (including dental) care of the population.     

The forensic medical expertise of the victims of large-scale fires]

The difficulties of present-day forensic medical expert evaluation of poisonings in fires are explained by exposure of man to highly toxic compounds that form during burning of polymers. Analyzing forensic medical expert evaluations of a large number of victims dead in a large-scale fire, the authors emphasize the necessity of measuring not only dead people's blood levels of HbCO, but of some other toxic combustion products that may exert combined effects on human body. The authors think it desirable that criteria of forensic medical evaluation of combined poisoning in fire be defined.     

Significance of histochemical parameters of erythrocyte catalase activity for diagnosing mild concussion and contusion of the brain

A total of 227 primary and repeated forensic medical expert conclusions in victims with slight craniocerebral injuries (CCI) are analyzed. Erythrocyte catalase (CTer) activity was analyzed on the basis of the results of computer quantitative morphometry of histochemical analysis of blood smears from 50 victims with slight CCI. CTer activity correlated with the severity of CCI. A new objective method for histochemical diagnosis of slight concussion and contusion of the brain is suggested, which rules out errors in forensic medical expert evaluations in examinations of this category of victims.     

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.     

Difficulties in forensic medical evaluation of some forms of craniocerebral injury

Conclusions of 41 repeated expert evaluations of craniocerebral injuries within the framework of criminal and civil cases investigation are analyzed. Some aspects of clinical and forensic medical diagnosis of lethal and nonlethal injuries to the head, evaluation of the quality of medical care, and qualification of the severity of harm to health are discussed. Causes of typical expert errors and approaches to their prevention are shown.     

Discrimination between functions of an expert bureau and a burial firm (topic for discussion)

The authors suggest measures aimed at discrimination of the functions performed by forensic medical experts and the services rendered by burial firms. The responsibilities of pathology departments of hospitals and bureaus of forensic medical expert evaluations, which should be reflected in official documents, should be confined to manipulations needed to solve the professional problems and removal of sections. Cases when utilization of certain chemicals or manipulations aimed at restoration of the body are prohibited should be listed in detail. The order of transfer of the body from pathology department or forensic medical bureau to the burial firm and to relatives should be regulated with consideration for the results of autopsy. The moment of the end of autopsy studies is to be determined.     

Analysis of forensic-medical expert conclusions on rap and concealed rape (data from anonymous questionnaires)

Specific features of modern cases of raping are analyzed on the basis of the data of forensic medical obstetrical and gynecological expert evaluations carried out in the Primorye territory. Age and risk groups are defined, health status of victims is characterized, and specific injuries of the body and genitals are described. Specific features of concealed sexual violations in Vladivostok are defined and the need in creation of rehabilitation centers for victims of raping is discussed.     

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.     

The use of emission spectrum analysis in the forensic medical expertise of gunshot wounds (experimental research)

Presents the methodology of experimental shots from various guns (n = 11) by common cartridges and of emission spectral analysis (ESA) which was used to study the regularities in deposition of "gunshot metals" at the site of gunshot injuries and to detect the characteristic differences in shooting with and without obstacles. Effects of some factors on deposition of metal components of gunshot products at the site of gunshot injuries are studied: type of gun, shell (with/without coating or semicoated), presence of obstacles, distance, and order of the shot. Results of studies are presented for some guns, which may be useful in forensic medical expert evaluations by means of ESA.     

The methodological aspects and prospects of using dynamically modified sorbents for the analysis of biological specimens by means of high-performance liquid chromatography]

Published reports and authors' experience gained in high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of dynamically modified adsorbents are reviewed. The advantages of this variant of liquid chromatography are shown: the method is economic and more effective for analysis of mixtures of a complex composition, including biological objects. Examples of mycotoxin, morphine, and other toxicologically significant agents are offered. The method is recommended for wide use in forensic medical expert evaluations.     

Method for estimating index of coronary arteries patency

The authors present an original method for evaluating the index of coronary artery patency by perfusion technology. The method is simple, requires no expensive equipment, and effectively diagnoses stenotic processes in coronary arteries. It was tried in cases of sudden cardiac death. The method is intended for forensic medical expert evaluations and for pathology studies.     

论法医学鉴定人出庭作证

本文探讨法庭作证的价值、方法。着重研究了法医学鉴定人的素质与鉴定结论的价值。最后息结指出只有高素质的法医学鉴定人才能承担新世纪的鉴定重任。使法庭作证永远走向成功。     

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.     

Forensic medical examination in cases of sexual abuse

The article presents the analysis of forensic medical expert practice in the field of sexual abuse. Drawbacks in expert examinations, official decisions on such examinations, low expertise of forensic medical personnel in sexual crime, lack of tools for genital and anal examination are analysed and methods of correction of this situation are proposed.     

Current trends in the dynamics of violent and nonviolent deaths and the problems in recording them

The number of forensic autopsies in cases with violent and spontaneous deaths increases from 1984 to 1996 by 11.1 and 25.8%, respectively. The rate of increase in the incidence of violent deaths outstripped 1.6 times the total mortality values. This resulted in an essential increase in the work loading of experts, with an increase in the number of complex expert evaluations. The system of registration of violent deaths is imperfect: it does not provide accurate data on the number of murders and suicides, which are overrated at regional statistical departments in comparison with the records of legal organs, while the values recorded at statistical departments are notably underrated in comparison with forensic medical records. The authors offer amendments and revisions for the current form of medical certificate of death and the order of its filling, granting, and storage.     

Modified variant of macroscopic study of the myocardium in cases of sudden death from cardiovascular diseases

A method for examination of the myocardium modified for forensic medical expert evaluations is described. The number of incisions made to open the heart cavities is decreased. The incisions for examining the myocardium are made at an angle of 45 degrees to the axis of the heart, which is simpler, allows the restoration of the organ shape, and permits the examination of a larger area of sections for detecting the slightest changes in the myocardium.