A new method for collection and identification of gunshot residues from the hands of shooters

This work presents a novel collection method for gunshot residues (GSR) using a sampling procedure based on ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution as a complexing agent on moistened swabs. Detection was via a sector-field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HRICP-MS). The proposed collection and analytical method allowed detection of antimony (Sb), barium (Ba) and lead (Pb) after .38 shot tests. at detection limits of less than 1 microg L(-1) in four different areas of the hands of volunteers. This paper includes a discussion concerning hand areas near the thumb and forefinger as being more suitable for GSR collection as well as a comparison between differences observed using 2% diluted EDTA. 2% nitric acid solution, and simple deionized water as collecting solutions, proving the superior efficiency of EDTA in GSR recoveries.     

Zaleplon and driving impairment

Zaleplon, a sedative-hypnotic, was identified in the blood of a subject arrested for impaired driving. Symptoms reported were those of central nervous system (CNS) depression. The zaleplon concentration was determined to be 0.13 microg/mL. Symptoms included slow movements and reactions, poor coordination, and lack of balance. Although no quantitative relationship between blood concentrations and degree of driving impairment is currently possible, it is reasonable to conclude that because of its specific activity as a sedative-hypnotic, blood concentrations consistent with doses exceeding therapeutic concentrations of zaleplon have the potential to cause impairment of psychomotor function, and would impair a person's level of consciousness and driving ability.     

Extraction of 1,2- and 1,4-dihydroxybenzene from water solutions

The results of extraction of 1,2- and 1,4-dihydroxybenzene from water solutions by the hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic solvents are described. The influence of an extragent nature and of a water-phase pH medium on an extraction degree is demonstrated. The repetition factor needed to extract a preset quantity of examined compounds is calculated.     

Forensic and medical aspects of lethality from thromboembolytic complications of trauma,diseases and certain pathological conditions

A total of 743 lethal outcomes of thromboembolytic complications of trauma, diseases and certain pathological conditions as observed in 1999-2001 and in the three quarters of 2002 were studied. The undertaken analysis confirmed two factors provoking the pathological thrombosis, i.e. 1. Pathological changes observed in the surface vascular wall preconditioned by mechanical damages, atherosclerotic process and aging; and 2. A slower blood flow due to an impaired blood circulation, a forced positioning and to hypodynamics. While deciding on a possibility of a direct cause-effect relation between past traumas, surgeries, poisonings and death of thromboembolism of the pulmonary arteries (TEPA), such relation can be mentioned only on rare occasions. It is more often the case that an indirect, mediated relationship is found, when TERA evolves due to an unfavorable combination of risk factors, i.e. a forced immobility, changing coagulated blood system, impaired blood vessels etc.     

The ordinal localization of multiple mono-type carpal bones

The case study was based on the osteologic collection of the chair for anthropology, State Moscow University, including the male carpal bones (67) and female carpal bones (13), aged above 18 to 20. Four measurements were made according to Martin's scheme for metacarpal bones and finger phalanxes. A diagnostic method was worked out on the bases of the discriminative analysis, with such method enabling the remodeling of the ordinal localization of metacarpal bones as well as of main, medium and distal phalanxes. The maximally accurate classification was ensured for metacarpal bones, ranging from 81.5% to 100%; and the minimally accurate one was achieved for distal phalanxes, ranging from 20% to 95%. The discriminative analysis results were checked for distal phalanxes by Neklyudov's series (male--100, female--85); they were described according to 7 sizes. However, an attempt to enhance the accuracy of the classification of these phalanxes failed. The offered method should be applied in combination with the traditional anatomic-and-morphological method; besides, if possible, it is necessary to check the congruence of joint surfaces in the metacarpal interphalangeal joints.     

Methods of making the plaster copies of skulls for the medical and criminalistic identification of individuals

A possibility was studied to use the plaster copies of skulls in the forensic medical identification of personality by applying the craniofacial method. No dependence was found between the plaster casts and the moulding types. Differences between the same craniometric sizes in the skull and in its cast are of an incidental nature. Such incidental deviation is related with an accuracy of determining the localization of craniometric points and with an instrumental precision of measuring devices. The necessity is substantiated that, while making a craniofacial examination, it is necessary to mark all anthropometric points in the skull cast, with the original being a control. The use of a plaster skull cast is possible in those cases, when the burial of the remains must be done in full.     

An Estimator for Some Binary-Outcome Selection Models Without Exclusion Restrictions

This article provides a new maximum-likelihood estimator forselection models with dichotomous dependent variables when identicalfactors affect the selection equation and the equation of interest.Such situations arise naturally in game-theoretic models whereselection is typically nonrandom and identical explanatory variablesinfluence all decisions under investigation. When identicalexplanatory variables influence selection and a subsequent outcomeof interest, the commonly used Heckman-type estimators identifyfrom distributional assumptions about the residuals alone. Whenits own identifying assumption is reasonable, the new estimatorallows the researcher to avoid the painful choice between identifyingfrom distributional assumptions alone and adding a theoreticallyunjustified variable to the selection equation in a mistakenattempt to "boost" identification. The article uses Monte Carlomethods to compare the small-sample properties of the estimatorwith those of the Heckman-type estimator and ordinary probit.