The identification of sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080) employing NMR spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy was employed for the purpose of identifying samples of materials suspected of containing sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080). Acquisition of routine proton (1H) and carbon (13C) NMR spectra provided a straight-forward means for determining the presence of Compound 1080 in the samples and thus afforded a simple method for analysis and identification of this compound.     

A more sensitive method for the quantitation of genomic DNA by Alu amplification

Current procedures for human DNA quantitation reach their limit at 150 pg DNA, which is above the limit of the PCR profiling range using Profiler-Plus (Applied Biosystems, CA). This study tested the potential for the use of primate specific Alu sequences in forensic science for the sensitive detection and quantitaion of DNA. A fluorescently labelled primer pair was designed enabling high efficiency amplification of the core Alu sequence within primate DNA. Quantitation was performed by measurement of fluorescence intensity and comparison to a series of standard template DNA amounts via the construction of a standard curve. The new Alu-based quantitation protocol developed has shown its feasibility in more sensitively quantitating (100-2.5 pg) unknown amounts of human DNA for forensic use. The method is compatible with the use and throughput of current forensic procedures.     

Evaluation of some oxygen, sulfur, and selenium substituted ninhydrin analogues, nitrophenylninhydrin and benzo[f]furoninhydrin

Six ninhydrin analogues containing oxygen, sulfur, and selenium substituents at the C-5 position, 5-(4-nitrophenyl)ninhydrin, and benzo[f]furoninhydrin were evaluated as fingerprint development reagents. The analogues all showed good fingerprint color development but were not superior to ninhydrin in this respect. The benzo[f]furoninhydrin complex was strongly luminescent at room temperature following zinc complexation, while the remaining analogues required cooling to -196 degrees C to produce optimum luminescence. The benzo[f]furo, nitrophenyl, and methyl selenide analogues showed the best potential as fingerprint reagents with the benzo[f]furo analogue comparing favorably with DFO.     

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.     

Effect of death from total supercooling of the body on morphofunctional state of human adrenals

The morphology of adrenals was studied in cases of death from total supercooling. The intensity and terms of response are different in different morphofunctional zones of the adrenal cortex. Presumably, the terms and intensity of responses of various portions of the adrenal cortex reflect the specific features of their function regulation.     

Difficulties in forensic medical evaluation of some forms of craniocerebral injury

Conclusions of 41 repeated expert evaluations of craniocerebral injuries within the framework of criminal and civil cases investigation are analyzed. Some aspects of clinical and forensic medical diagnosis of lethal and nonlethal injuries to the head, evaluation of the quality of medical care, and qualification of the severity of harm to health are discussed. Causes of typical expert errors and approaches to their prevention are shown.