Significance of tooth anomalies in personal identification

Described in the paper are the study results of the stomatological status of 385 cadavers, in whom the frequency rate of anomalies of separate teeth and of their varieties were evaluated as applicable to the personality identification tasks.     

A definition of the nomenclature of allele variants and a description of allele polymorphism within a molecular-genetic individualization system based on the pentanucleotide tandem replication of HUMCD4

While analyzing the available published data, we found significant differences in definition of alleles of the HUMCD4 polymorphic chromosome locus. It is an obstacle for comparing the expertise results obtained while using the locus as molecular individualization system in different laboratories and, as a consequence, it hinders the use of the said marker in building up a reference database. The structure of the HUMCD4 locus was analytically investigated and the distribution of the locus alleles was systemized in a sample of 407 persons (citizens of Russia who are not blood relatives) within the present case study for the purpose of a detailed definition of its allele's characteristics. We worked out recommendations related with the nomenclature standardization of alleles of the HIMCD4 locus and specified the main population features of the locus polymorphism on the bases of the studied sample of Russia's citizens. The results can be used as reference parameters in interpreting the findings of the molecular-genetic identification expertise and examinations and in building up databases.     

Toxicity of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs

Data are reported on toxicity of a majority of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAD), which are the most frequently used in clinical practice and whose chemical structures are different. The action mechanism and side effects of some NSAD, in particular, of diclofenac, ibuprofen and indometacin, are also in the focus of attention.     

Studies of the allelic diversity in micro-satellite locus D16S539, F13B, FESFPS, TH01, and TROX in European population of Russia Ural region using capillary electrophoresis

Allelic frequencies of chromosome micro-satellite locuses D16S539, F13B, FESFPS, TH01 and TPOX were determined, within the case study, in a sampling of Europeoidal individuals residing in Russia's Ural Region. The allelic variants were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis after the enzyme amplification in polymerase chain reaction with fluorescent primers. The genotypic frequencies of the studied locuses were shown not to divert with statistical reliability from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The estimated aggregate discriminative potential for a panel of 5 studied locuses made 0.99995. No nonequilibrium was found by linkage between alleles of all lucuses examined within the present case study or between their alleles and the alleles of previously investigated locuses D7S820 and D13S317. The implemented testing of the population homogeneity of allelic frequencies of investigated locuses for 3 samplings of Europeoids showed a deviation for locus FESFPS versus the Ural and Polish samplings and for locus F13B in the Ural and North America samplings. The distribution of allelic frequencies of other locuses was homogenous in the compared samplings.     

Topical issues of organisation and implementation of forensic medical expertise

The shaped-up experience of management and implementation of expertise as applicable to civil and criminal cases and with respect to the requirements of new legislative acts was analyzed. Issues connected with composing a commission of experts, with the range of competence of forensic medical expert and of clinical practitioner, as well as with the content and form of the expert conclusions are under discussion.     

The designer drug situation in Ibiza

A total of 137 urine samples and 46 serum samples, corresponding to 154 self-confessed designer drugs consumers in Ibiza island, were analyzed for the presence of designer drugs: amphetamine and amphetamine derivatives (methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA), methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), p-methoxymethylamphetamine (PMMA), p-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), etc.), ketamine and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid. Among this population, coming both from the forensic clinic and from the emergency room of a hospital, a total of 99 cases were found positive for some designer drug. This study shows the prevalence of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) among designer drug users, sole or in association with other drugs. Also, the mixture of MDMA with other designer drugs, ethanol and/or cocaine is shown to be more likely to produce toxic symptoms requiring clinical attendance in a hospital emergency room. These findings along with the consumption history, the concentrations of drugs and metabolites in urine and serum and the toxicological significance for the interpretation of some MDMA metabolites such as 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA) are discussed in this study.