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.     

Forensic,medical, and criminalistic description of injuries inflicted by firing the pistol "PB-4"

A case of causing a lethal injury from the PB-4 self-defense pistol (traumatic action bullets) is described. An issue of the relation between notions "a non-lethal gun" and "special-purpose weapon" are under discussion.     

Study of species specificity of the amelogenin system for genetic sex determination

The properties of amelogenin amplification system and, in particular, of its species specificity, were studied. DNA preparations extracted from cattle (cow/bull), pig, ram and from poultry (hen), as well as from dog and cat, were used as a matrix for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) involving a standard scheme of enzymatic amplification of the amelogenin gene. It was demonstrated that, unlike for the human DNA, the amelogenin test couldn't be used for the DNA of examined animals as a sex-specific marker. However, there is a danger of a false determination of the male sex in the female origin samples during a forensic-experts' typing of the amelogenin gene, if there is an admixture of an animal DNA to a human DNA preparation. As for the biological samples of the animal origin, there is a possibility of a false-female sex determination. It can be attributed to an incorrectly selected standard of the molecular weight or to its remote location on the gel as well as to the use of an inaccurately calculated algorithm designed for determining the sizes of analyzed fragments.     

The identification of antigens of systems AB0, GM,and haptoglobin (HP) phenotypes in mixed bloodstains of human and domestic goose

The traditional methods of investigations according to systems AB0, Gm and Hp were used to define the serological specificity of home gooses' blood. The experimental examinations' results related with mixed bloodstains of man and home gooses are described. A possibility is demonstrated to identify the blood group factors of man in bloodstains with admixture of home-goose blood.     

The diagnostic value of determining the level of acetaldehyde in blood,urine, and cerebrospinal fluid

The contents of acetaldehyde (AA) in biological fluids obtained from the dead with the confirmed lethality causes, i.e. ischemic heart disease (IHD), alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACMP) and mechanical traumas (MT), were examined on an actual forensic-medical material (AFMM). 14 death cases of males, aged 18 to 45, were studied. The method of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC), or rather its variation of vaporphase analysis, was used to state the presence and to assess the concentration of acetaldehyde. The results revealed differences between concentrations of acetaldehyde in the examined groups depending on the presence or absence of alcoholemia. Thus, the AA concentrations were found in trace quantities in the MT group free of alcoholic intoxication; while, when it was present in this group, the concentrations went up several-fold. A higher AA content was typical of the ACMP group in all examined subjects both with and without alcoholic intoxication. The final study results are suggestive of that the AA determination in blood, urine and liquor by GLC could be used, within the forensic medical practice, in assessing a severity degree of alcoholic intoxication while establishing the lethal outcome cause due to chronic pathologies and MT.     

Subdural haemorrhage sustained in a baby-rocker? A biomechanical approach to causation

An unconscious 8 weeks old infant was admitted to hospital and found to have bilateral, subdural and retinal haemorrhages. He died the following day. The explanation for the subdural haemorrhage put forward by his carers was that the infant had been in a baby-rocker and that the carers had seen the rocker being rocked vigorously by their 14 months old daughter on two separate occasions. This paper describes the biomechanics of an infant model in the particular baby-rocker used and determines the maximum forces generated, comparing them with the 'forces' thought to be compatible with the causation of subdural haemorrhage.