Possibilities of spectral investigations of injuries inflicted by special arms

Quantitative characteristics and application of different spectral methods are compared in experiment. Stab and gunshot wounds were studied by roentgenospectral fluorescent and emission spectral analyses. The above spectral methods detected significant quantities of alien material on the wounds depending on the kind of the weapon.     

Forensic medical aspects of injuries inflicted with self-defense capsaicin aerosols

Toxicological and forensic medical characteristics of capsaicinoids are presented. Capsaicinoids represent a mixture of three basic compounds with similar structure: capsaicine, dihydrocapsaicine, and nordihydrocapsaicine, all of which are the primary components of red pepper extract (Oleoresin Capsicum). The advantages of this group of irritants in comparison with synthetic irritants are discussed. Probable routes of administration of the extract with regard to its hazard for the organism are considered. Results of experimental studies on nonbiological phantoms and volunteers are presented.     

Characteristic of injuries inflicted by a blank gunshot

The analysis of the data published in the special literature indicates that forensic-medical aspects of the injuries inflicted by blank shots fired from a variety of small-arms weapons remain poorly known or virtually unexplored. Despite considerable variability of such injuries, their forensic-medical examination should include three basic components, viz. the proof of the absence of the injurious action of the shot, differential diagnostics of the consequences of injuries attributable to each traumatic factor of the shot, and experimental simulation of the damages to the human body and the clothes taking into account concrete models of the weapons and the blank cartridge.     

Gunshot damage inflicted by a short shot from some special-purpose arms

Inlet damage to clothes material caused by point-blank shots from a special submachine guns Val, 9-A-91, sniper complex BCK-4 furnished with a soundless non-flame shooting devices (SNSD) was studied in experiment. Specific features of the affection and shot products distribution (shape, size, topography, accumulation of soot metals, etc.) were specified which allow judgement about guns and range of shot. How SNSD construction and shot range influence the above characteristics is shown. A relevant case is reported.     

About classification of injuries inflicted on humans by carnivorous animals

The biological classification of living species is shown to be inapplicable for the purposes of forensic medical examination. A list of the families of carnivorous animals that may be of forensic medical significance is presented. Their working classification is proposed taking into account the size and behaviour of the animals as well as their body parts and organs with which they may inflict injuries to man in various situations. The main types of wounds caused by carnivores are considered.     

Forensic medical characteristics of the injuries inflicted by home-made arbalest

The classification of arbalests as a representative of the class of missiles is presented. Basic design characteristics of such weapon, wounds and damage to cotton targets from shot distances 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 m are described.     

Forensic-medical aspects of dermatoglyphics of the hands and feet

Issues on possibility of using capillary patterns of hands and feet in medicolegal examination of unidentified dead bodies and unknown persons, in cases of disputed paternity and maternity and child substitution are considered. Up-to-date theories on inheritance of dermatoglyphics features, their racial, sexual, age and occupational variability as well as interrelationship with some genetic diseases are analysed. Ways of researches in the field of dermatoglyphics of hands and feet for expert practice are outlined.     

Forensic medical characteristics of the injuries inflicted by modern sport bow

Modern bows are classified as representatives of darts. Construction characteristics of bows and arrows, damage to experimental cotton targets from shooting distance of 1-15 m are described.     

Classification of bone injuries inflicted by the teeth of the carnivorous animals

The morphological characteristics of a variety of bone injuries inflicted by the teeth of the carnivorous animals are presented. The results of their analysis provided a basis for the morphological classification of such traumas taking into consideration the current views of the mechanisms underlying the process of their formation.     

Forensic medical evaluation of head injuries inflicted by blows with blunt objects

A statistical evaluation of injuries of head tissues inflicted by blows with human body parts and with blunt hard objects of communal use was carried out. Characteristic morphometrical and topographical features of injuries and factors essential for their severity are defined.     

Classification of skin injuries inflicted by the teeth of the carnivorous animals

The current approaches to the classification of skin injuries inflicted by the teeth of the carnivores on the human body are discussed. The new morphological classification is proposed taking into consideration the current views of the mechanisms underlying the formation of tooth marks on the integumental tissues of the victims of attacks by carnivorous animals. Morphological characteristics of skin injuries are briefly described in the framework of the new classification.     

Evaluation of injuries features inflicted by shots from gas guns by emission spectral analysis

The authors describe a methodological approach to emission spectral analysis of material evidences aimed at evaluating the regularities of deposition of the shot metals at the site of injuries inflicted by gas guns. Injuries inflicted by gunshots with chemical cartridges and with shot cartridges, with and without obstructions, from different distances have been examined. The detected regularities may be useful in forensic medical expert evaluations by means of emission spectral analysis in cases with gas gunshots.     

The specificity of injuries inflicted by shots made from remade and self-made guns with silencers

Discussed in the paper is a complex forensic medical evaluation of injuries inflicted by shots made from a variety of hand guns with silencers. An experimental study denoted the specificity of close-distance entry wounds at shots made from remade or self-made guns with silencers; the quantitative and qualitative differential diagnostics was possible in such cases.     

Forensic-medical and medical-social aspects of fatal outcomes of cardiovascular diseases in working age population

Analysis of sudden deaths from cardiovascular disorders among a working age population was carried out based on the materials of the Forensic Medicine Bureau of the city of Moscow and the Moscow Region. The most important factors responsible for cardiovascular mortality in working-aged subjects were identified and their implications for the prevention of sudden death considered.     

Wounds inflicted by survival-knives

A homicidal fatality is presented to demonstrate that the pattern of injuries may suggest the use of an unusual sharp force, a survival-knife, the characteristics of which are in any case well defined. This knife has saw teeth along the back that can leave characteristic scrape marks on the skin.     

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.