DNA analysis in the forensic medical examination of material evidence: the problem of individualization

The criterion of sufficiency of genetic information for establishing identity should be accepted for adequate realization of the potentialities of DNA identification as a legal proof. Attaining of this point in expert evaluations will be considered sufficient for formulation of a categorical conclusion on the source of the object. The key point in the choice of this criterion should be clear-cut definition of the identification task; analysis of equivalent probability values is suggested as its technology. The choice and regulation of the reference value should be carried out at an inter-departmental level.     

Forensic medical evaluation of the morphological alterations of the liver in drug abuse

Application of a morphometric method for investigation of chronic virus hepatitis in drug addicts and persons rejecting drug abuse is described. Chronic hepatitis in narcomania runs with frequent formation of lymphoid follicules in the portal tracts, relatively inactive portal hepatitis in marked lobular component of inflammation, pronounced fibrosis and early formation of micronodular hepatic cirrhosis, proliferation of biliary ducts, high neutrophil, eosinophil and macrophage content in the infiltrate, accumulation of macrophages in the portal tracts by granuloma type. These criteria are recommended for diagnosis of narcomania by morphological findings.     

The role of cytomedins in establishing the sequence of causing injuries

The results of investigation of biological activity of information molecules, i.e. cytomedines, obtained from injuries by using the method of acetous extraction (V.G. Morozov, V. Kh. Havinson, 1981) are presented in the experimental manner and on the basis of practical materials. The sequence of formation of hemorrhages and injuries was demonstrated accurately enough by using the biological activity of extracted cytomedines.     

Opiate poisoning (an analysis of section material)

Section specimens from subjects dead from narcotic poisoning in 1998-1999 are analyzed. The results indicate that narcotic poisonings were primarily due to opiates or their combinations with other drugs (primarily ethanol). The ratio of male to female mortality was 3:1. Death after narcotic poisoning occurs at home in the majority of cases. The concentration of morphine/heroin in the blood and urine of victims varied within a very wide range. Acute renal failure, myoglobulinuremic nephrosis, and compression syndrome are not typical of acute narcotic poisoning. Use of immunotest for urinary morphine-heroin deserves further investigation.     

Distribution of HLA DQA1, LDLR,GYPA, HBGG,D7S8, and GC locus alleles in the population of Russia

The distribution of chromosome locus alleles HLA DQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, and GC of PolyMarker molecular genetic individualizing system was studied for the first time in a representative "mean statistical" sampling of Russian population. Typing of these locuses was carried out in 391 donors (no relatives) from 63 regions of the Russian Federation. The incidence of genotypes of all 6 locuses corresponded to the expected values, estimated on the basis of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium hypothesis. This allows us to use the frequency characteristics of HLA DQA1 locus and the PolyMarker locuses determined in our study as the reference parameters for standard probability estimations in DNA identification. The frequencies of PolyMarker locuses alleles in the Russian sampling (in comparison with other ethnic groups) coincided best of all for allele frequencies in Europeoids living in the USA. For expert evaluation of the efficiency of using these locuses as molecular genetic markers with identification purposes, the discrimination potential was estimated separately for each locus and combinations thereof. HLA DQA1 locus was the most informative of the studied 6 locuses. The main population characteristics of this locus (probability of accidental coincidence, potential of discrimination--PD, polymorphism coefficient--PIC, exclusion potential--Pe, and mean value of parentage index--PI) were estimated for the population of Russia. The frequency distribution of alleles of the studied panel of locuses in the mean statistical Russian population obtained in our study can be used in molecular genetic personality identification and in anthropological studies.     

New possibilities of detecting blood and seminal fluid in traces on material evidence using Fluorat-02-3M analyzer

Fluorat-02-3M liquid analyzer essentially extends the range of hemoglobin measurements, increasing its concentration in the studied extract from 0.1 to 100 micrograms in a 100 microliters sample (the lower threshold concentration remains unchanged: 0.005 in a 100-microliters sample) in detection of the blood in stains on material evidence pieces by fluorescent hemotest. This allows detection of blood in both washed and clearly seen blood stains on pieces of material evidence. Examples of using this method for measuring mass concentrations of zinc in water extracts on a Fluorat-02-3M analyzer are presented. The analyzer was developed at the Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of the Leningrad region for tentative detection of seminal fluid in stains on material evidence pieces. The results of this method are objectively recorded.