Pages from the history of the Department of Forensic Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

The history of the Department of Forensic Medicine of I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University is highlighted based on the results of the studies of the relevant literature data and archival materials. The authors lay special emphasis on the organization of the teaching process and research at different stages of the development of the Department, scientific and forensic medical activities of its leading specialists, materials obtained in the course of research, and the contribution to the development of forensic medicine made by outstanding scientists.     

Forensic analysis of homicides on the basis of cases examined in the Forensic Medicine Department,Medical University of Silesia,Katowice, in the years 1991–2002

The authors have reviewed medico-legal opinions relating to 3690 autopsy cases of homicides. Forensic analysis of all these cases showed a gradual increase in the number of homicides, especially those resulting from beating or using fire-arms. A great number of homicides with incised or stab wounds was also observed.     

The Law Faculty of M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University,Decorated with the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor

The Law Department of Moscow State University (MGU) is the oldest school for higher legal education in the country. It was founded in 1755 and in 1804 was reorganized as the Division of Ethics and Politics, In 1835 a Faculty of Law again made its appearance in the structure of MGU. In 1919 at MGU a Faculty of Social Sciences came into being, within which a Division of Politics and Law was established (taking the place of the Law Faculty), and this in turn was renamed the Law Division in 1921. In 1925 a Faculty of Soviet Law was established at MGU in place of the Law Division. This faculty ceased to exist in 1931, and its place was taken by two independent institutions: the Moscow Institute of Soviet Law of the People's Commissariat of Justice of the USSR, and the Moscow Institute of Soviet Government under the All-Union Central Executive Committee (VTsIK). In March 1942 the Law Faculty was revived and continues to exist. In 1954 the Moscow Juridical Institute was merged into the Law Faculty of MGU.     

Psychoactive drugs in the road traffic in the legal and consultative aspects—Experience gained by the Forensic Medicine Department, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice

Introduction

In the years 1997–2007 in the Forensic Medicine Department, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice a total of 785 blood samples collected from drivers being the perpetrators of road accidents was tested for the presence of psychoactive drugs.

Methods

The studies took advantage of FPIA (Abbott), ELISA (Neogen), LC–MS and GC FID.

Results

21% of tested samples were positive. In the blood of the driver cannabinoids, amphetamine and its derivatives were most frequently found. Moreover, individual opium alkaloids, their combinations with barbiturates, benzodiazepines or amphetamine, benzodiazepine derivatives (isolated cases), drugs of benzodiazepine group in combination with barbiturates, tramadol or tricyclic anti-depressants (isolated cases), carbamazepine, phenotiazine, cocaine, dibenzepine, benzene, toluene and acetone were determined.

Conclusion

The obtained results showed cannabinoids and amphetamine derivatives to be the most frequent whereas opium alkaloids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines rather rare psychoactive drugs found in the tested blood samples of the drivers involved in the road accidents. The authors suggest screening psychoactive drugs not only in drivers involved in road accidents but also those put through the routine road check procedures. While giving opinions on the influence of the above mentioned drugs on the psychophysical efficiency of road traffic users, drugs and compounds which are not subject to legal control but have an effect on the human psychomotor efficiency and thus, enhance the risk of the road accident should be also taken into account.     

The data on statistical surveillance of recording forensic medical expertises of the harm to human health collected by the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise (BFME) in Central Health Department of the Moscow region

This publication deals with the analysis of application of the "Medical criteria for the harm to human health" put into force on September 16, 2008, as exemplified by the work of the Bureau of forensic medical expertise (BFME), Central Health Department of the Moscow region, during the period from 2007 and 2010. The data were borrowed from the materials of departmental statistical reporting (F.42) on forensic medical examinations of the harm to human health carried out during the period between 2007 and 2010. In addition, the statistical report of BFME on the application of the medical criteria in 2010 was used. The number of forensic medical expertises for the estimation of the degree of harm to human health was shown to decrease by 9% but remain 3% higher than the average across the country. The number of expertises of severe harm to the health increased by 15% as in the whole of the country with the concomitant 20% reduction in the number expertises of mild and moderate harm. These trends are unrelated ether to the changes in the frequency of crimes leading to the serious harm to the health or to the number of subjects convicted of such crimes. It was found that p.p. 6.1.1 - 6.1.30 of the "Medical criteria" that list life-threatening injuries are most frequently (in 58% of the cases) used to document facts of severe harm to the health. The same is true of p.p. 6.11. - 6.11.11 listing the injuries responsible for the persistent loss of occupational capacity (by at least one third). The frequency of application of concrete paragraphs of the (Medical criteria, is determined within each group. The largest number of expert errors (3.2%) were committed while estimating serious harm to the health based on the paragraphs listing the injuries responsible for the persistent loss of occupational capacity (by at least one third). The minimal number of such errors (1%) were committed while estimating serious harm to the health from life-threatening injuries.     

The analysis of the unfavourable outcomes of dental care based on the materials of forensic medical examinations carried out by the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Moscow Department of Health

The analysis of the unfavourable outcomes of dental care based on the materials of forensic medical examinations carried out by the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expertise, Moscow Department of Health.