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.     

Ethnic and Religious Roots of Regional Conflicts in the Caucasus

The main causes of ethnic conflict are territorial issues and territorial disputes. In the Caucasus, all armed ethnic confrontations were initially interstate conflicts and at times were related to religious differences.     

Postmortem detection of hemp intoxication

The diagnostic tools applicable to the forensic medical expertise of cadavers in cannabinoid intoxication (CI) were evaluated. Histochemistry with incubation of stable blue "B" (SBB) were used for the detection of cannabinoids in the bronchi and lungs. Hyperemia and capillarostasis in the mucous tunics of the mouth and stomach as well as hyperemia and edema in the lungs and brain were histochemically detected in CI. The histochemical activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (AlDG) was most essentially decreasing in the adrenal glands and brain of younger persons. The SBB reaction in the bronchial and alveolar epithelia was positive in 85% of cases. A high proof value of the CI diagnostics was pointed out in cadaver expertise.