Determination of firing distance. Lead analysis on the target by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

This paper reports a method for the determination of the firing distance. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used to determine the lead (Pb) pattern around bullet holes produced by shots on test targets from the gun. Test shots were made with a Colt 38 Special at 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 60, 80, and 100 cm target distance. The target was created with sheets of Whatman no. 1 paper on a polystyrene support. The target was subdivided into three carefully cut out rings (1, 2, and 3; with external diameters of 1.4 cm; 5 cm; 10.2 cm, respectively). Each sample was analyzed with graphite furnace AAS. Lead values analysis performed for each ring yielded a linear relation between the firing distance (cm) and the logarithm of lead amounts (microg/cm(2)) in definite target areas (areas 2 + 3): [ln dPb(2+3) = a(0) + a(1)l]; where dPb(2+3) = lead microg/cm(2) of area 2 + 3; a(0) and a(1) are experimentally calculated; l = distance in cm.     

Y-chromosome STR haplotypes and alleles in the population sample of Old Believers residing in the Northeastern Poland

Haplotype and allele frequencies for eight Y-STRs were determined in a population sample of Old Believers residing in the Northeastern Poland. A total of 127 unrelated males produced 100 different haplotypes. The most common haplotype was shared by 3.97% of the sample, while 85 haplotypes were unique. The gene diversity was 0.99.     

Medical aspects of malpractice crisis in Greece: medical responsibility: a doctor's view

Malpractice and medical liability have been introduced into Greek reality over the last decade. Forensic sciences hold a key role in the investigation of medical liability cases. Along these lines, the medical examiner stands between colleagues and lawyers, who have divergent intentions in the investigation of such cases. This article offers an overview of the rapidly changing reality in Greece and approaches medical liability from the doctor's viewpoint. The role of forensic science and the medical examiner is portrayed, along with the emerging difficulties in the investigation of medical liability cases. Also attempted is an interpretation of the crisis phenomena that are very often seen between doctors and lawyers. However, the intent of this article is to search for ways to turn competition and tension between medical and law professionals into cooperation and understanding for the best interest for both professions and, more importantly, for the community.     

Dental amalgam and mercury levels in autopsy tissues: food for thought

Eighteen cadavers from routine autopsy casework were subject to a study of tissue levels of total mercury in brain, thyroid, and kidney samples by atomic absorption. On these same cadavers, all dental amalgam fillings (the most important source of inorganic mercury exposure in the general population, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) were charted. Total mercury levels were significantly higher in subjects with a greater number of occlusal amalgam surfaces (>12) compared with those with fewer occlusal amalgams (0-3) in all types of tissue (all P < or = 0.04). Mercury levels were significantly higher in brain tissues compared with thyroid and kidney tissues in subjects with more than 12 occlusal amalgam fillings (all P < or = 0.01) but not in subjects with 3 or less occlusal amalgams (all P > or = 0.07).     

Validation of a large Italian Database of 15 STR loci

Results from a collaborative exercise with proficiency testing conducted by 20 Italian laboratories on the 15 loci included in the Identifiler kit were analyzed by allele sharing methods and by standard population genetics tests. The validated database, including about 1500 subjects, was merged with that of a previous exercise conducted on nine loci, and the resulting allele frequencies, subdivided by Italian region, were published on-line.     

Genetic data on 15 STR loci in the ethnic group of Polish Tatars residing in the area of Podlasie (Northeastern Poland)

Population genetic data for the 15 STRs included in the AmpFlSTR Identifiler kit were obtained from a sample of 168 unrelated individuals of the ethnic group of Polish Tatars residing in the Northeastern Poland. Significant differences revealed in relation to the autochthonous Poles by using R x C test as well as F(ST) and F(IS) estimates suggest that the ethnic group of Polish Tatars is a distinct genetic community.     

Belief in a Just World,Causal Attributions,and Adjustment to Sexual Violence

What influence do the personal belief in a just world (i.e., the perception that one usually gets what one deserves) and different kinds of causal attributions have on adjustment to sexual violence? Using a sample of N = 62 victims of sexual aggression (mean age = 21.7) it was shown that respondents were better able to adjust to their experience of sexual violence the higher their personal belief in a just world. Moreover, the more respondents attributed their victimization to situational circumstances (external attributions) and the less they attributed their victimization to their character and personality (characterological self-attributions), the less they felt distressed by past victimization. The degree to which participants attributed their victimization to their own concrete behavior (behavioral self-attribution) was not related to their adjustment. Further analyses showed that the influence of the personal belief in a just world was mediated by the three attribution styles. Additionally, the adaptiveness of external attributions was moderated by participants’ just world belief.