Possible unfavourable effects of using in-house components for forensic expert molecular-genetic technologies

So-called in-house production of reagents, components and kits for DNA analysis which are made without strict quality control and standards are now widely practiced in forensic molecular-genetic examinations. Markers of molecular mass were studied to illustrate problems which may arise in use of such in-house components. Other difficulties and negative sequelae of in-house products are also demonstrated.     

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.     

On the state of the budgetary funding of government forensic medical expert institutions in the Russian Federation

The data on the budgetary funding of state-owned forensic medical bureaus in the Russian Federation for the period from 2005 to 2008 were collected and analysed. The results of the overall estimation and parameters characterizing the level of funding of these expert facilities are presented. Selected state forensic medical bureaus have been ranked based on the level of their financial support.     

Advanced technique for the preparation of bone and tooth tissue for molecular-genetic expert tests

Laboratory schemes related with the procedure of purifying the osseous and dental samples by applying the dental drilling machine, dental technical carborundum shapes, fogging discs and hard-alloy dental drills were made use of to improve the quality and effectiveness of the mentioned schemes used prior to molecular-and-genetic expertise tests.     

The illegal trade of raptors in the Russian Federation

Wildlife trafficking, along with other green crimes, receives little attention from the criminological community. This study provides further knowledge of this black market, and exposes the structural harms that are associated with it, by examining the illegal trade in falcons in Russian Far East. The structural harms proposed here are that wildlife trafficking, and the illegal raptor trade in particular endangers the environment, is cruel to animals, and threatens national and human security because of its connection to other dangerous illicit activities. Through semi‐structured interviews, trade statistics, and online news sources, a framework is developed as to who is involved, how it is occurring, and where it is taking place as well as possible ways in which to curb this activity.     

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.     

Selected legal aspects concerning the regulation of trusts and private foundations in the Russian federation

The authors are the first contributors from the Russian Federationand introduce the reader to Russian legal concepts which incorporatethe idea of the Anglo-Saxon trust as well as the private foundationand discuss how foreign trusts and foundations are perceivedby the Russian legislator.     

Research on the dilemma and improvement of legal regulation for unfair competition related to corporate data in China

Corporate data disputes have been rising rapidly in recent years in China. Courts typically apply the trade secret clause, the Internet clause, and the general clause under the Anti-Unfair Competition Law of PRC to the disputes. However, there are some limitations and problems, including the limited scope of the trade secret clause, the difficulty in interpretation of the Internet clause, and short of sufficient demonstration of the general clause, all leading to the lack of clear rules and guidelines for solving corporate data competition issue. The property nature of corporate data and the business operators’ factual control of the data necessarily require standard legal protection. Corporate data is not the property right, but the property interest protected under the Anti-Unfair Competition Law. For further legal positioning of the corporate data, the paper refers to the trade secret clause’s legislative principles. The paper also learns from the United States and Japan that both information misappropriation rule and newly established ‘shared data with limited access’ provision protect corporate data under their anti-unfair competition law. The paper concludes by providing judicial and legislative suggestions to pave the way for corporate data protection in China. At the judicial level, Chinese courts should clarify the specific application conditions of the general clause. At the legislative level, enacting new legislation ‘data clause’ into the Anti-Unfair Competition Law is necessary to regulate unfair competition behaviors related to corporate data.     

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 method for expert assessment as a tool for the improvement of the methodological basis of the activities of a bureau of forensic medical expertise

An important aspect of the problem of iatrogenic poisoning is the lack of comprehensive relevant information. Many experts employed at the bureaus of forensic medical expertise believe that this problem can be resolved only based on a multifaceted approach. The results of questionnaire studies and cause-and-effect analysis allowed the following recommendations to be proposed for addressing the problem under consideration: making a minimal list of equipments necessary to maintain activities of forensic medical departments, updating the list of toxic substances to be studied in the laboratories of bureaus of forensic medical expertise, modification of the reporting form No 42 to be filled by such bureaus. The optimal approach is thought to be the equipment of all bureaus in compliance with the universal requirements, introduction of standard methods and technologies for the analysis of the materials included in the list of toxic substances to be determined.     

The methodological basis for the expert assessment of unfavourable outcomes of the treatment

Procedures of forensic medical examination are considered with special reference to the cases of unfavourable outcomes of the treatment and methodological basis of their expert assessment. The step-by-step analysis of the doctor's actions is proposed for their objective evaluation. The objective opinion of the expert commission should be based on the medical criteria for the doctor's actions.     

The Question of the Ethnic Russians in the Context of Ethnic Relations in the Russian Federation

The author examines the current and likely future position of the Russian ethnic group within Russia's systems of interethnic and ethnofederal relations. He also examines the meaning of the term nationalism as used in Russian politics and warns about the danger of growing imbalances in state regulation of federal and ethnic relations. He proposes a new federalism that would eliminate asymmetries in relations between ethnic Russians and other ethnic groups inhabiting the Russian Federation.     

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.