Diversity and heterogeneity in mitochondrial DNA of North American populations

Variation in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region as detected by sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) probes is described for 2282 individuals from African-American, European-American, and Hispanic subpopulations from five broadly defined regions of North America (Northeast, Southeast, Central, Northwest, Southwest). Population diversity estimates were uniformly high for all subpopulations and for each major ethnic group. Only the Pennsylvania Hispanic group was remarkable with respect to its mitochondrial DNA types, having both six low frequency population specific types (ranging from 1.2-8.6%) and three high frequency shared types (10-20% each). There was no statistically significant subpopulation heterogeneity present within any of the three major groups at either the subpopulation level or the regional level (p > 0.01). However, statistically significant heterogeneity was measured when comparing the three major groups to each other, with the variance component attributable to this large division accounting for 18.60% of the total variance (p < 0.001). Overall mtDNA is a satisfactory forensic typing locus within broadly defined African-American, European-American, and Hispanic groups from North America, based on the high diversity estimates and absence of heterogeneity, as characterized by SSO typing.     

Liability of health professionals for a breach of the abortion law of New Zealand

The abortion law of New Zealand appears to have been interpreted very liberally over recent years by sectors of the medical profession. Indeed the interpretation of the law appears to have been so liberal that it raises questions as to the lawfulness of many of the abortions carried out in New Zealand. The current practice and application of the abortion law is such that it may expose some medical consultants certifying and performing abortions to criminal proceedings and civil claims.     

Complex chemical and toxicological analysis of prosidol

Methods for measuring a Russian narcotic analgesic prosidol are suggested: thin-layer chromatography, microcrystalloscopy, gaseous chromatography with ionization flame detector, gas chromatography with mass selective detector, ultraviolet spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detector, proton nuclear magnetic resonance used in chemical toxicological analysis, pharmacological analysis, and investigation of material evidence pieces.     

Knowledge of Legal Terminology and Court Proceedings in Adults with Developmental Disabilities

This research compared 40 adults with mild developmental disabilities (DD) and 40 nondelayed adults (ND) in terms of knowledge of legal terms and court proceedings. For all of the 34 terms studied, with the exception of police officer there were significant differences between the DD and ND groups with respect to degree of conceptual understanding of terms. Results indicate that all but 6 terms assessed (adjourn, allegation, crown attorney, defendant, prosecute, and court reporter) were well-defined by 85% or more of ND participants. In contrast, only 8 of the terms (police officer, lawyer, jail, court, lie, truth, judge, and witness) were reasonably conceptually understood by at least 75% of DD participants. Reported familiarity with terms in DD participants is not a reliable indicator of actual familiarity with terms. Results are discussed with respect to the need for education of DD individuals and legal professionals to support participation and fair treatment of DD individuals in legal situations.     

Evaluation of the severity of harm to health by gastrointestinal injury caused by blunt trauma

A total of 226 forensic medical conclusions in traumas of the gastrointestinal tract with blunt objects, 111 of these with lethal outcomes, are analyzed. The types of injuries, clinical course, medical care, complications, flaws in medical care and their consequences, and pathomorphology of the injury were analyzed. Criteria of harm inflicted to health are determined and a table of qualifying signs is suggested for cases with blunt injuries of the gastrointestinal system, with consideration for the type of injury.     

Determination of heavy metals in some human organs, tissue, and fluids under normal conditions

A table has been created, presenting normal levels of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Zn, Sn, Tl, Ag) in human biological media. In contrast to other handbooks, the authors use the normal values derived on the basis of their own investigations at the spectral laboratory of Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations, Public Health Committee of Moscow and published reports. Comparative analysis was carried out for each element in human organs, tissues, and urine, which will facilitate expert work. Every laboratory engaged in expert evaluations and analysis in cases with suspected poisoning with heavy metal salts is to have reference values of these elements' concentrations in human organs and tissues obtained in this very laboratory on available equipment with consideration for specific features of its biogeochemical region.