Simulation of brain damage: assessment and decision rules

The possibility of fabricated or exaggerated organic deficits is a frequent concern in both civil and criminal forensic cases. Additionally, organic deficits may exist, but be incorrectly attributed to a claimed cause. Exaggeration or fabrication can apply to primary cognitive or emotional effects of brain damage or to secondary emotional effects. These categories of deficits, and their relationship to physical brain damage, must be clearly understood in order to comprehensively evaluate the possibility of malingering. This includes evaluation of different forms of consistency between (1) behaviors during evaluation, (2) claimed deficits and known organic syndromes, (3) behavior or claims during evaluation and actual life-functioning, and (4) test performance and known principles of cognitive functioning. Psychometric procedures and clinical strategies are described which can substantially aid in assessing consistency and distinguishing between honest and exaggerated self-reports. Limitations of available assessment techniques are described and a general decision model for evaluation of dissimulation of organic deficits is presented.     

Identification in forensic medicine--significance and proof value

Strictly speaking, identity in forensic identification can--if need be--be established by the evidence of living persons. Otherwise, the entire identity can only be determined by assessing the individual parts of the corpse, whereby the different characteristics of the objects of examination have a different probative force, according to the frequency of their occurrence. In skull identification, by taking soft tissue thickness into consideration, with the help of modern photographic or electronical super projection processes, so many (theoretical) points of comparison come to the fore, that, in most cases, identity is evident due to the numerous agreeable reference points, which are apparent in suitable, comparable material (photographs).     

Device and methods for the measurement of energy transfer in experiments involving thermal and electrical injuries of skin

This work is part of a larger investigation aiming at tracing differences between injuries caused by heat and electricity. Electrodes and heaters similar to the electrodes of an electric cattle baton are used to dissipate approximately 40 joules in 40 seconds in pig skin.Voltages in the range 40–60 volts (AC or DC) are applied via stainless steel electrodes and temperatures in the range 50–100 °C are applied via heaters made of copper wire. Heat transfer is controlled by electronically regulated heaters utilizing the temperature dependence of the heater wire itself as a thermometer.Transfer of electricity takes place from either commerical DC supply, from transformed voltage from the mains or from a sine voltage generator connected to a power amplifier. The energy transfer is in all cases measured by electronic integration of the dissipated power in time. The power supplied to the electrodes or the heaters is found by electronic multiplication of the applied voltage and current.Typical power vs. time curves are presented.     

A solid-phase immunoenzyme method for the quantitative determination of ephedrine

Competitive ELISA method for ephedrine assay in biological fluids is developed. Anti-ephedrine antibodies obtained by rabbit immunization with conjugated antigen ephedrine-protein and ephedrine complex with horseradish peroxidase were used as reagents. ELISA in combination with chromatographic methods may be used in medicolegal and narcological practice.     

Accidents related with atypical sexual behavior

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of autoerotism, in particular, to sexual asphyxia. Published research data and independent observations were used to describe lethal and non-lethal incidents of forensic-and-medical importance.     

Criteria for expert evaluation of mechanism of lower jaw fractures

A short analysis of 565 cases of fractures of the lower jaws is presented in the article with due regard for a mechanism of their formation. Criteria of the expert evaluation of an impact point and direction of action of a traumatic force are depicted with due respect for a type, specific features and fracture location.