[Forensic medical characteristics of the injuries inflicted by modern sport bow].

Modern bows are classified as representatives of darts. Construction characteristics of bows and arrows, damage to experimental cotton targets from shooting distance of 1-15 m are described.

[New possibilities of detecting blood and seminal fluid in traces on material evidence using Fluorat-02-3M analyzer]. / O novykh vozmozhnostiakh opredeleniia nalichiia krovi i spermy v sledakh na veshchestvennykh dokazatel'stvakh na analizatore zhidkosti "Fliuorat-02-3M".

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.

[Forensic medical aspects of injuries inflicted with self-defense capsaicin aerosols]. / Sudebno-meditsinskie aspekty porazhenii sredstvami samooborony v aérozol'nykh upakovkakh, snariazhennykh kapsaitsinoidami.

Toxicological and forensic medical characteristics of capsaicinoids are presented. Capsaicinoids represent a mixture of three basic compounds with similar structure: capsaicine, dihydrocapsaicine, and nordihydrocapsaicine, all of which are the primary components of red pepper extract (Oleoresin Capsicum). The advantages of this group of irritants in comparison with synthetic irritants are discussed. Probable routes of administration of the extract with regard to its hazard for the organism are considered. Results of experimental studies on nonbiological phantoms and volunteers are presented.

[Detection of semen in stains on material evidences by quantitative immunofluorescence test]. / Ustanovlenie nalichiia spermy v piatnakh na veshchestvennykh dokazatel'stvakh s pomoshch'iu reaktsii immunofliuorestsentsii v kolichestvennoi modifikatsii.

Russian and foreign methods used in forensic medicine for detection of the semen in stains on material evidences are compared. The potentialities of quantitative immunofluorescence test for detection of the semen in stains on material evidences, developed at Bureau for Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of the Leningrad region, are described. Unlike other methods used in Russia, this method detects the semen in stains in the absence of spermatozoa and in stains with very low amount of the semen. Our modification allows objective recording of the results with computer processing. The method is cheaper than its foreign analogs and its sensitivity is similar to them.

[Detection of blood in stains on material evidence by fluorescent hemotest and spectrofluorometry]. / Ustanovlenie nalichiia krovi v piatnakh na veshchestvennykh dokazatel'stvakh s pomoshch'iu metodov liuminestsentnogo gemotesta i spektrofliuorimetrii.

The efficiency of detection of blood in stains on material evidence by spectrofluorometry and fluorescent hemotest developed at Bureau for Forensic Medical Expert Evaluations of the Leningrad region and by traditional methods used in Russia and abroad is compared. The proposed methods are 1000 times more effective than the methods routinely used in Russia; moreover, they allow objective computer recording and processing. These methods are 50-70 times cheaper than the methods used in foreign countries and are virtually as sensitive. Fluorescent hemotest persuasively proves the presence of blood in stains on material evidence under laboratory conditions, at the site of accident, and even under field conditions (express analysis).

[The morphofunctional changes in the internal organs in the modelling of poisonings by psilocybine-containing mushrooms]. / Morfofunktsional'nye izmeneniia vnutrennikh organov pri modelirovanii otravlenii psilotsibinsoderzhashchimi gribami.

Histological analysis of the viscera in experimental poisoning with psilocybin-containing mushrooms showed nonspecific changes in all examined organs, presenting as expressed hemocirculatory disorders and intracellular dystrophy. Quantitative histochemical analysis showed appreciable shifts in the activities of enzymes involved in the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial redox processes and of specific enzymes involved in nerve tissue metabolism. This may reflect some features in the direct effects of narcotic alkaloids contained in psilocybin-producing mushrooms.

[The advantages of establishing the species classification of blood and other biological objects by the IFR in a quantitative modification]. / Preimushchestva ustanovleniia vidovoi prinadlezhnosti krovi i drugikh biologicheskikh ob''ektov metodom RIF v kolichestvennoi modifikatsii.

A quantitative modification of immunofluorescent test (IFT) is described. It was used for species identification of blood stains on material evidence objects. This modification is 1000 times more sensitive than electrophoretic methods traditionally used for this purpose in forensic medicine. Computer processing of the results helps objectively and persuasively determine the species appurtenance of blood and other biological objects. Results of the test represented as histograms should be attached to forensic medical conclusions as proofs for the court.

[The composition and characteristics of the spread of the shot products from a gas-barrel weapon]. / Sostav i osobennosti rasprostraneniia produktov vystrela iz gazovogo stvol'nogo oruzhiia.

Chemical composition and diffusion of additional factors of a shot from barrel gun supplied with a standard chemical cartridge are studied. Experimental shots from gas pistols of three designs were made. During shots from gas barrel guns the victim is exposed to additional factors characteristic of both fire arms and gas barrel guns, namely, fragments of plastic cartridge container and pads, magnesium particles, and lacquer powder. The characteristics of the short range zone for gas barrel guns correspond to those of short barrel fire arms.

[The forensic chemical study of psilocybine-containing fungi]. / Sudebno-khimicheskoe issledovanie psilotsibinsoderzhashchikh gribov.

A method for isolating the main components (psilocybin and psilocine) from Psilocybe semilanceata mushrooms, their identification and measurement by thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography, chromatographic mass-spectrometry, and inverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is developed.

[Establishing the presence of blood in stains for material evidence by using the luminescent blood test]. / Ob ustanovlenii nalichiia krovi v piatnakh na veshchestvennykh dokazatel'stvakh s pomoshch'iu liuminestsentnogo gemotesta.

Two methods for objective persuasive identification of blood stains on pieces of material evidence are offered. These methods are 1000 times more sensitive than other methods used in forensic medical practice. Computer processing of the results permits calculating the content of hemoglobin derivatives in the examined material in amounts as low as 5-100 ng/100 microliters extraction. Using these methods, it is possible to prove the presence of blood by rapid analysis directly at the site of the crime in washed traces and in traces formed long ago.

[The toxicological aspects of poisonings by psilocybine-containing mushrooms]. / Toksikologicheskie aspekty otravlenii psilotsibinsoderzhashchimi gribami.

Cases involving the investigation of psylocybin-containing mushrooms became more frequent in forensic chemical and criminological expert evaluation in recent years. The authors present the data on the main chemical factors contained in these mushrooms, on the mechanism of their toxic effect, clinical picture of poisoning, and methods of chemical and toxicological analysis.

[The gas chromatographic analysis of irritating substances]. / Gazokhromatograficheskii analiz razdrazhaiushchikh veshchestv.

Conditions for gas-liquid and chromato-mass-spectrometric analyses of chloracetone, dinitril o-chlorobenzylidene malonic acid, and pelargonic acid morpholide have been developed. The proposed methods may be used for identification of these compounds in investigation of material evidence in cases involving the use of defence gas weapons.

[Combined injuries of the eye by shots from gas barrel guns for self defense]. / Kombinirovannaia travma glaz pri vystrelakh iz gazovogo stvol'nogo oruzhiia samooborony.

Combined (mechanical and chemical) injury to the eye was induced by shooting from gas guns of 8 and 9 mm caliber to the eyes of biomannequins from a distance of 50 cm. Mechanical particles released during shot (intact and partially burnt gunpowder and other components of the shell) may be carrying a chemical on their surface, which, when getting into the wound channel of ocular membranes, diffuses to the adjacent tissues and injures them. These data necessitate comprehensive studies of injuries to the eyes caused by shots from gas barrel guns, which are to be carried out by clinical ophthalmologists, toxicologists, and forensic medics in order to identify all the possible consequences of injuries caused by irritants, accurately assess the duration of the posttraumatic process in the victims, and evaluate bodily injuries.

[Gas weapons as a variation on gas-propelled firearms]. / Gazovoe ognestrel'noe oruzhie kak raznovidnost' ognestrel'nykh gazometatel'nykh ustroistv.

Discusses the motion of gas weapons as defence weapons, including the group of gas barrel guns. Characterizes its design and ammunition. Presents arguments in favor of referring gas barrel guns to firearm devices. Shows the place of gas barrel guns in the general classification of ejecting devices and offers a classification of civil chemical weapons.

[The possibility of inflicting injuries by shots from a gas weapon at close range]. / O vozmozhnosti prichineniia povrezhdenii pri vystrelakh iz gazovogo oruzhiia s blozkogo rasstoianiia.

Two cases from practical forensic medical expert evaluation are presented, connected with injuries inflicted by point-blank shots from gas pistols of 8 and 9 mm caliber. These two examples demonstrate the difficulties in expert evaluation, which are explained by the absence of scientifically-based methodology. The authors emphasize the necessity of comprehensive studies in this field to develop methods for the differential diagnosis of injuries inflicted by gas weapons and those inflicted by blank cartridge gunshots.