Study of an electrical charge self-defense device

An electric charge device for self defense was evaluated on a volunteer. The device is safe for life and health of a healthy adult human. Moral aspects of such trials on humans are discussed.     

Population study of D1S80 locus in Caucasians living in the Ural region of Russia by capillary electrophoresis

A series of screening tests showed that separation of polymerase chain reaction products and identification of D1S80 by capillary electrophoresis with the use of hydroxyethyl cellulose as the substituting screening template and double internal DNA reference is an accurate, rapid, and reliable method, fit for routine use. D1S80-allele frequencies for Caucasian population were determined in a population of 340 unrelated individuals living in the Ural region of Russia. The D1S80 genotypical frequencies in this population sample do not statistically deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg expectations. The discrimination power for this locus is 0.935. Significant deviations from the zero hypothesis of population homogeneity were detected by comparison of 4 Caucasian population samples. Differences in the frequencies of alleles 25, 30, and 31 seem to be the main cause of heterogeneity in paired comparison.     

Some problems in identification of an unidentified corpse

Presents data on the number of unidentified corpses sent to the morgue of Bureau of Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of the Rostov region and discusses the shortcomings in organization of medical criminalistic personality identification. Discusses some scientific problems investigated at Department of Forensic Medicine of Rostov State Medical University.     

Method of determining methemoglobin in cadaver blood

Poisoning with methemoglobin toxins are not rare in forensic medical practice, but there is still no reliable method for measuring methemoglobin in cadaveric biological fluids and tissues. The author investigated factors affecting evaluation of natural amounts of methemoglobin in the blood, compared several methods for methemoglobin measurements, and developed qualitative characteristics indicating the presence of methemoglobin in cadaveric blood. A rational method for measuring methemoglobin in the blood, blood clots, and tissues is offered for forensic chemical and biochemical evaluations.     

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in a case of suspected chronic heavy metal poisoning

We describe a patient who died of suspected heavy metal poisoning after a nine-month history of rapidly worsening dementia. Autopsy at a forensic-pathological institute established the postmortem diagnosis of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) based on demonstration of the proteinase-resistant prion protein (PrPsSc) in Western-Blot on native brain tissue. Microscopic examination of the macroscopically largely inconspicuous brain revealed marked spongiform changes in the gray matter--mainly affecting the cerebral cortex, nucleus caudatus, and putamen--with confluent vacuoles. Patchy or perivacuolar deposits of PrPSc were found as well as granular PrPsc deposits. The cerebellum contained focal PrPsc deposits. There was an astrogliosis in the white matter and a proliferation of microglia in the gray matter with a simultaneous clear reduction in neuronal elements. The differential diagnosis is discussed, as is the potential risk to those performing autopsy on forensic cases with a clinical picture of rapidly progressing dementia, especially in cases where a prion disease is not initially suspected.     

Analysis of forensic-medical expert conclusions on rap and concealed rape (data from anonymous questionnaires)

Specific features of modern cases of raping are analyzed on the basis of the data of forensic medical obstetrical and gynecological expert evaluations carried out in the Primorye territory. Age and risk groups are defined, health status of victims is characterized, and specific injuries of the body and genitals are described. Specific features of concealed sexual violations in Vladivostok are defined and the need in creation of rehabilitation centers for victims of raping is discussed.