Detection of acetic acid in cadavers by gas chromatography

A simple technique of sample preparation for gas chromatographic test for acetic acid in cadaveric material has been developed. The background concentration of natural content of acetates in the stomach, liver and kidneys are determined. The error of the method is no more than 10% with standard deviation +/- 0.04-0.13.     

Extraction of basic metabolites of monomethyloxybenzene isomers from aqueous solutions

The results are presented of extraction of 1-methyl-3,4-dioxybenzene, 1-methyl-2,5-dioxybenzene and 4-oxybenzene acid from aqueous solutions with hydrophobic and hydrophilic organic soluvants. It is shown that the degree of extraction depends on the nature of the extragents and pH of the aqueous phase medium. Extraction multiplicity for obtaining necessary quantities of the compounds is calculated.     

Personal identification by complex study of characteristics of the teeth and dentition structures

A multimodality dental examination was made and anatomomorphological features of teeth and tooth sequences were studied in 200 policemen using clinical examination, morphological investigation of plaster jaw models, analysis of x-rays and statistics, intraoral videocamera pictures, computer processing. The scheme of creation of dental data bank applicable in personal identification is offered.     

Identification of exhumed remains of fire tragedy victims using conventional methods and autosomal/Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat DNA profiling

In a fire tragedy in Manila in December 1998, one of the worst tragic incidents which resulted in the reported death of 23 children, identity could not be established initially resulting in the burial of still unidentified bodies. Underscoring the importance of identifying each of the human remains, the bodies were exhumed 3 months after the tragedy. We describe here our work, which was the first national case handled by local laboratories wherein conventional and molecular-based techniques were successfully applied in forensic identification. The study reports analysis of DNA obtained from skeletal remains exposed to conditions of burning, burial, and exhumation. DNA typing methods using autosomal and Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) markers reinforced postmortem examinations using conventional identification techniques. The strategy resulted in the identification of 18 out of the 21 human remains analyzed, overcoming challenges encountered due to the absence of established procedures for the recovery of mass disaster remains. There was incomplete antemortem information to match the postmortem data obtained from the remains of 3 female child victims. Two victims were readily identified due to the availability of antemortem tissues. In the absence of this biologic material, parentage testing was performed using reference blood samples collected from parents and relatives. Data on patrilineal lineage based on common Y-STR haplotypes augmented autosomal DNA typing, particularly in deficiency cases.     

The effects of cognitive-behavioral treatment for forensic inpatients

The effects of an intramural cognitive-behavioral treatment for forensic inpatients with personality disorders in a high-security hospital were examined. Treatment was aimed at modifying maladaptive coping and social skills, at enhancing social awareness, at reducing egoistic and oppositional behaviors, and at reducing psychological complaints. The patients, who all had committed serious crimes (violence, arson, sexual offences), participated voluntarily in the study. A total of 39 patients started the study, but during the course of the study, several patients dropped out because of several reasons. Patients as a group showed significant improvements over time on psychopathological symptoms, personality traits, and coping. A significant decrease of oppositional behaviors was reported by the staff. Though the patients improved well at the group level, only a minority of patients showed reliable change over time at the individual level. The meaning of the results in relation to treatment are discussed.