Role of chemical tests and scene investigation in determination of range of fire

Forensic pathologists have historically found several characteristics of the entrance wound invaluable in determining range of fire in gunshot fatalities. Among these characteristics are the pattern and constituents of any deposited material such as soot and/or gun powder residues. We describe a case in which the application of previously described characteristics, in the absence of laboratory testing and examination of the crime scene, would have led to an erroneous conclusion with potentially grave consequences. We suggest that all attempts be made to use available laboratory tests and to perform detailed examination of crime scenes in determining the circumstances surrounding fatal gunshot injuries.     

National Association of Medical Examiners position paper on the certification of cocaine-related deaths

The National Association of Medical Examiners Committee on Cocaine-related Deaths recommends that the following guidelines be applied in the process of documenting, interpreting, and certifying potential cocaine-related fatalities. The committee cautions that the investigation of any drug-related death requires a complete investigation of the circumstances of death, the death scene, and past medical history. It is also necessary to have the results of the forensic toxicological analysis and those of a complete forensic autopsy examination prior to formulating an opinion as to the cause and manner of death. Cocaine should be considered the underlying cause of the death when 1 or more of the following is true: (1). the circumstances surrounding the death can be associated with an acute cocaine exposure and there are no supervening causes of death; (2). the immediate cause of death is directly due to a readily identifiable mechanism or disease such as a gunshot wound or a stroke, yet the acute use of cocaine was the direct underlying cause of the trauma or the disease process; and (3). chronic cocaine use leads to a disease that results in an ultimately fatal pathologic process leading to organ injury and death. The committee further cautions that reported drug levels may not directly relate to the toxic or lethal effects of the drug upon the patient. These guidelines are intended for use by practicing medical examiners and physicians who certify drug deaths, as well as providing education tools for students.     

Characteristics of gunshot wounds caused by the special forces shooting knife (NRS and NRS-2)

Gunshot wounds of skin and long cortical bones inflicted by the special intelligence knife (NRS and NRS-2: special silent cartridges SP-3 and SP-4) from different distances were examined. Stereomicroscopy, emission spectral analysis, contact-diffusion method and regression- step-by-step analysis were made use of within the case study. A lack of mechanical, thermal or chemical impact from firing gas and of fire soot as well as presence of particles of rubber, copper and sealing varnish, i.e. the most informative shot products, were found to be the main distinctive features in the said wounds. The data obtained can be used in the differential diagnosis of a type and model of the used gun.     

Detection of group-specific antigens of the ABO system in fish blood

The subject of the case study was blood of 8 fish species. It was examined within the ABO system. 68 tests of stains of fish blood mixed with human blood were made. It was shown as possible to differentiate between human blood and fish blood in mixed stains.     

The material-and-technical equipment of state forensic medical bureaus of Russia's defense ministry: realities and outlooks

Issues related with the material-and-technical outfit of state forensic medical bureaus of Russia's defense ministry are under discussion. The present-day condition of their instrumentation degree is described; methods are suggested of how to build up the material-and-technical base by using the limiting form system with the "conclusive medicine" principles.     

The role of carrier-object in investigations of cigar-butts

A comprehensive series of experiments was undertaken to find the reasons why the cigar-butt stuff, removed from accident places for investigation at forensic-biological laboratories, affects different sera. A number of such reasons were established. Methods are suggested to eliminate the cigar-butt impact with the aim of ensuring the most accurate results while determining the group adherence of saliva on the cigar-butts.     

Practical use of the molecular-genetic technologies in solving the tasks of forensic medical identification of remains in emergencies with huge human death toll

Previously, we have developed different variants, for the expert use, of information technologies, i.e. of computer automated analytical systems, to ensure an effective analysis of huge bulwarks of molecular-genetic expert findings. The results obtained in the above research significantly advanced the possibilities of expert evaluation related with personality identification under the conditions of a big death toll; they also cleaned the ground for the introduction of such methodological approaches in the practice of investigations of emergency accidents involving huge death tolls. Described within the present case study is a practical experience of forensic medical identification of unrecognized remains in air crashes with huge human death tolls implemented through computer-assisted complex molecular-genetic tests on the basis of indirect DNA identification involving the establishment of blood relationship.