Forensic medical determination of harm caused to human health in environmental crime cases

The article describes one of the most urgent needs of the investigation the development of a fundamentally new approach to the forensic medical assessment of harm to human health caused by environmental crimes. Th e special signifi cance of new approaches to establishing a causal relationship between a committed environmental off ense and harm to life and (or) health, including for distinguishing from other possible anthropogenic impacts, is shown. A practical example of expert assistance to the investigation in establishing the circumstances to be proved during the investigation of an environmental crime is given.

New computer technologies to determine postmortem interval by the Henssge method

Background: The Henssge method is still the main thermometric method to determine postmortem interval. However, its existing software implementations are characterized by several disadvantages associated with copying simplified nomographic variants of the original mathematical models without any optimization attempts, as well as procedural imperfection in finding the roots of implicit functions. In this paper, methods are proposed for optimizing solutions to the Henssge mathematical models and determine their errors, as well as software application implementation. Aim: Optimization of the Henssge algorithm and development of a series of applications based on the obtained data, designed to determine postmortem interval. Material and methods: Methods for solving double exponential Henssge models and determining their errors based on computational mathematics and regression modeling using the least-squares method with subsequent implementation in the format of computer programs in C# language optimized. Results: The discrete nature of residual variance changes of the double exponential Henssge models intended to determine the postmortem interval according to rectal and cranioencephalic thermometry data under constant external temperature conditions is eliminated. The interval estimate determination of postmortem interval at any confidence probability is possible. The application program Warm Bodies HR was developed, which implements applied optimization methods. The application program Warm Bodies AHBG, designed to determine postmortem interval by the Henssge method in a single discrete decrease or increase conditions in the constant temperature of the external environment, including a change in the cooling conditions of the corpse, was developed. The search for the roots of implicit functions in programs is carried out using the Newton tangent method, which ensures continuous source data nature and eliminates errors associated with the need to round directly measured physical quantities. Conclusions: The developed programs are recommended for forensic medical expert practice to determine postmortem interval.

Use of microRNA to estimate time science death: review

Death prescription evaluation is still one of the most difficult issues in forensic medical practice. This review aimed to assess the potential use of micro ribonucleic acid (miRNA) in death prescription diagnosis. MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that are 1824 nucleotides long and are well preserved in the eukaryotic cells. Their role is to regulate gene expression in biological processes during the post-transcriptional phase. MiRNA was proven to be effective in clinical medicine for various disease diagnoses, with its possible use in forensic medicine as a marker for death prescription assessment due to its low molecular weight, tissue-specific expression, and high resistance to external and internal environmental factors. The analysis results of scientific literature revealed that the internal characteristics of miRNA molecules and their high resistance to degradation make them suitable as biomarkers for the duration of death assessment, especially in the late postmortem period; however, further large-scale studies on cadaveric material are necessary.

Gunshot missile caliber and type estimation using superposition method by exit gunshot cranial vault fracture

A case of missile group identification by comparative examination using the image superposition method is presented. Identification was carried out using a skeletonized body vault exit gunshot fracture. The exit gunshot buttonhole fracture shape and dimensions reflected the bullet caliber and its flank profile. The entrance injury located on the anterior arch of the first cervical vertebra and the basilar part of the occipital bone, in this case, had no identification significance.

External study possibilities of a dead body solution about the death occurrence from psychotropic and narcotic drug poisoning

Background: Poisoning with psychotropic and narcotic substances is still leads to the general structure of fatal intoxications. A decreased traditional psychotropic and narcotic drug fatal poisoning and an increased new synthetic psychoactive substances and combined consumption are recorded in the country. Aims: This study aimed to study the dynamics of drug poisoning incidence according to the annual report data in 20172020 in the Krasnodar territory and establish their predominant etiology. Analyze the medical literature and identify the data mostly described during the external examination that suggests narcotic drug exposure possibility of the body. Comparison of the literature and external examination results of the corpse from the Expert Conclusions (Acts of forensic medical research) to further use the signs to create a profile of the suspected poisoned corpse with narcotic substances. Material and methods: The study material includes the annual reports of the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution Bureau SME of the Ministry of Health of the Krasnodar Territory in 20172020, archival medical documentation autopsy reports in cases of death from narcotic substances; domestic and foreign literary sources. Results: In the Krasnodar Territory, opiates account for a large proportion of drug deaths. Psychotropic and narcotic drug intake is often (up to 30%) combined with alcohol consumption. The study showed that forensic pathology rarely uses external signs that make up the profile of a corpse suspected of drug poisoning at the initial stage. The most common signs (in 50% of cases) were: injection traces, cyanotic and flushed face, conjunctival hemorrhages, and whitish-pink foam in the nose or mouth openings. Others were not given due attention. Conclusion: The research topic dictates the need for further study and problem development, accumulation, and systematization of the obtained material for subsequent use.

FORMATION OF A CLOSED CRANIOCEREBRAL INJURY ACCORDING TO AN INDIRECT MECHANISM: A CASE FROM EXPERT PRACTICE.

Background. Of the 600 thousand people who have received a head injury, about 50 thousand die (i.e. about 10%). There are examples in the literature that, in some cases, damage to the brain and its membranes in closed craniocerebral trauma can be formed by an indirect mechanism without direct contact of blunt solid objects with the head, which is characteristic of impulse trauma. Case presentation: in our practice, we encountered an unusual case of an indirect closed craniocerebral trauma with a fatal outcome resulting from a road traffic accident. During the forensic medical examination of the corpse, it be established that the traumatic brain injury that formed without direct contact of blunt solid objects with the head. The formation of a traumatic brain injury by the impulse mechanism is rare in forensic medical practice, therefore, each case of such an injury is of certain interest, both in practical and scientific terms. Conclusion: the impulse mechanism of head trauma, combined with the shock mechanism in road traffic accidents, is much more common than is currently believed. The source of bleeding in such cases is often the venous vessels of the cerebral hemispheres, which flow into the sagittal sinus of the dura mater.

RECORDING OF RESEARCH RESULTS IN THE COURSE OF FORENSIC HISTOLOGICAL EXAMINATION IN RUSSIA

The objective of the study was to identify the features of recording microscopy results in case of forensic histological examination in Russia at present and the prospects for its development in the future. Research material included conclusions of an expert (specialist) of state forensic medical institutions of Russia. The methods used to study the material were as follows: comparative-historical analysis, microscopic, thanatogenetic analysis, microphotography and description of histological sections. The authors analyzed in details two methods of recording the results obtained by microscopy, which are mostly often used while performing forensic histological examinations at present in Russia. The article reflects the historical, legal and forensic aspects, as well as some unresolved problems of recording information obtained during forensic histological research. The authors also express their opinion about the use of computer vision in the microscopy of histological sections in the near future, as a supplement but not the opposite of biological vision.

COMBINED INJURY OF THE BREAST AND ABDOMINAL IN PEDESTRIANS INJURED BY AUTOMOTIVE INJURY

Purpose of the study. Revealing the features of the formation of damage to the structure of the chest and abdominal organs in pedestrians during their collisions with moving cars. Materials and methods. A forensic medical examination of 215 corpses of persons killed in collisions with moving cars was carried out. Among the dead there were 173 men and 42 women. The victims were between 14 and 75 years old. Research results and their discussion. It was found that among pedestrians who died in collisions with cars, injuries of two or more parts of the body with fractures of the limb bones (55.8%) and сombined injury (CI) of the head, chest, abdomen (23.3%) prevail. In the composition of CI, damage to the structure of the chest and organs of the chest cavity was noted in 85.6% of cases. Rib fractures were detected in 57.7% of cases; fractures in the midclavicular and axillary lines predominated in localization. Damage to the structure of organs and tissues of the abdominal cavity in the composition of the abdominal CI in pedestrians was -71.0%. At the same time, 80.8% of the dead pedestrians show signs of injury to organs and tissues with pronounced hemorrhages in the suspension apparatuses, walls and parenchyma of organs. In 23.2% of cases, along with hemorrhages, there is a violation of the anatomical integrity of organs, mainly the liver and spleen. The outlined nature of damage to the structure of the chest, organs of the chest and abdominal cavity made it possible to establish the possibility of their formation in the 3rd phase of car injury - the fall of the injured on the road surface. Traumatic (pleuropulmonary), hemorrhagic shock and hemorrhagic pneumothorax were the main causes of injuries at the prehospital stage.

THE POSSIBILITY OF DETERMINING THE DURATION OF INJURY BASED ON CHANGES IN THE HISTOMORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE THYMUS IN THE EXPERIMENT

Background. It is known that lymphoid tissue is the first to react to stress, which is manifested by characteristic morphological manifestations, on the basis of which it is possible to study the duration of damage. Aims: study in the experiment the dynamics of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the rat thymus in the process of regeneration of the musculocutaneous tissue during mechanical trauma of the thigh. 84 sexually mature rats were studied, which were divided into 2 groups (experiment and control), and then into 4 subgroups, depending on the time elapsed since the moment of injury (1st, 3rd, 15th and 25th days). Mechanical damage was simulated using a setup that transferred kinetic energy to tissues comparable to that of a 5.6 mm rifle bullet. The animals were removed from the experiment by decapitation, the thymus was removed and subjected to microscopic examination. In arbitrary units, the total area of ​​the lobules, the area of ​​the cortical and cerebral zones was determined. Our research results indicate the phasing of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the thymus structure, which correspond to the phases of the course of the wound process, which can be used in forensic practice to determine the duration of the injury.

METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING THE SEX OF ADULT HUMAN BY ANATOMICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF ARYTENOID CARTILAGES

ABSTRACT. Background. One of the main issues of general personality identification is the ascertainment of the sex of impersonated or fragmented bodies. There are sporadic reports of the larynx cartilage sexual dimorphism in the forensic medical literature, among which arytenoid cartilages are absent. The publications have morphometric focus, the practical aspects of gender diagnostics are not considered, which occasion determined the purpose of this work.Aim: To develop a method for determining sex using sexually dimorphic anatomical and morphological arytenoid cartilage features of an adult. Materials and methods. The anatomical and morphological features of arytenoid cartilage from 160 males (80) and females (80) at the age from 20 to 78 years were studied. The visual examination revealed differences related to gender in 9 characteristics. The reliability of traits' sexual dimorphism was verified using the Chi-square test and proportionality coefficients.Results. The informational significance of the features was clarified and the individual observations were digitized using the formula. The possibility of sex determination by arytenoid cartilage was established in 93.75% of cases. In the remaining 6.25%, there was substantiated the conclusion that it is impossible to solve this problem using a given set of features.Conclusion. The developed method for determining gender is highly accurate and can be used in gender diagnostics in the process of a forensic medical larynx examination of a decayed or a fragmented corpse.