Molecular-genetic identification of the hostages killed in the terror act on September 1-3, 2004, in Beslan

The authors describe principles, methods and staging of molecular-genetic identification of hostages killed in the Beslan terroristic act. Cases when it was impossible to identify person definitely are explained. Precise staging of the expert investigation is of key importance.     

Microscopic myocardial changes and their significance for forensic medical diagnosis

Morphological myocardial changes essential for diagnosis in forensic medical medicine are listed as well as alterations in the vessels of the myocardium, cardiac muscular fibers and cardiomyocytes important for diagnosis of death of ischemic heart disease, acute alcohol poisoning, alcohol cardiomyopathy, closed cardiac lesions. Changes induced by reflex impacts on the heart and postmortem alterations are also shown.     

Comparative characteristics of angulometric parameters of teeth and dentitions in terms of personal identification

Angulometric teleroentgenographic characteristics of teeth were compared for 158 subjects. A computer technology of calculation and assessment of 47 angular (quantitative) parameters characterizing spatial position of the teeth and jaws is proposed. This complex of parameters can be used as an additional test in personal identification.     

Quantitative assessment of brain hydration in determination of death speed and type of tanatogenesis in forensic medical practice

Brain hydration was determined in death of strangulation mechanical asphyxia, acute alcoholic poisoning, acute poisoning with opiates, cancer of stage IV, coronary heart disease with acute heart failure, hemorrhagic stroke. Brainstem edema (BSE) occurred in 69.2% cases (upper BSE - 20.2%, lower BSE - 17.3%, BSE of the all parts - 31.7%). BSE was present in all cases of opiate poisoning; 52.9% cases of hemorrhagic strokes, 61.3% cases of coronary heart disease. The data obtained show prevalence of brain tanatogenesis in death of the above diseases. Hypohydration and hyperhydration of the brain were observed in short and slow agony, respectively.     

Forensic medical characteristics of the injuries inflicted by modern sport bow

Modern bows are classified as representatives of darts. Construction characteristics of bows and arrows, damage to experimental cotton targets from shooting distance of 1-15 m are described.     

Spatial position of the cranium in craniofacial establishment of identity

A total of 90 images of male cranes from different groups of horizontal profiling (120 +/- 10 degrees, 140 +/- 10 degrees, 160 +/- 10 degrees) were studied in experiment with the coordinate-controlled complex for turning angle (from the position full face to the right and left by 14 degrees with spacing 2 degrees). Each image was marked according to the system of 18 control points. Precision of the angle fixation was 0.1 degrees. Calculation of the angles of horizontal profiling and turning of the crane were made according to a specially devised program INPUTTING. Statistic processing of the computer data base made it possible to calculate precision rates of marking points and regression equation describing the pattern of cranial control points in turning. It is shown that presicion of the turning angle estimation with reference to horizontal profiling is much higher than without it. Basing on the data obtained a method of zeroing of coordinates of the control points (placing in position for correct scaling of the objects of craniofacial identification) was devised. The method allows greater reliability of the results of personal craniofacial identification.     

Structural alterations in the human brain in chronic alcohol intoxication

Different brain samples were studied in 23 male alcoholics and 14 healthy victims who had died of heart and major vessels wounds to determine histological changes in the brain and quantitative relations between its tissue structures. The complex of histological, stereo- and morphometric examinations has shown that the brain of alcoholics is characterized by sclerosis and hyalinosis of the vascular branches as well as dystrophic, atrophic and hypertrophic changes of neurocytes. Moreover, there were calcinated petrificates and the cysts, foci of demyelination, diffuse microglyosis. These alterations are accompanied with impairment of quantitative correlations between tissue brain structures. The diameter of cerebral capillaries narrows with resultant lessening of vascular bed capacity and chronic brain ischemia. The concentration of nervous cells decreased because of their progressive atrophy and death while the indices of the glyal component development rose. The findings are important for tanatogenesis and postmortem forensic-medical diagnosis of alcoholism.