[The possibilities for determining the shooting distance by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry]. / Vozmozhnosti ustanovleniia rasstoianiia vystrela metodom optiko-émissionnoi spektrometrii s induktivno sviazannoi plazmoi.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possibilities for determining the shooting distance for the MR-79-9 Makarych non-lethal pistol (diameter 9 mm, rubber bullet, shot energy 50 J) by means of inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The experiments were carried under the conditions of a ballistic shooting range making the shots from a distance of 0 to 120 cm. The 15×15 cm pieces of muslin fabric and biomaterials (leather) were used as the targets. The morphological signs of the damages inflicted to the targets were evaluated either with the unassisted eye, a criminalistical magnifying glass or the SMT-4 binocular stereoscopic microscope (Germany). The shot products, the area and boundaries of their dispersion were determined in reflected IR and filtered UV rays. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was applied for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of various shot products from the entry hole zone with the contamination (wipedown) bands and contusion collars being 0.2-0.5 cm (group 1) and 2-3 cm (group 2) in width, with special reference to the identification of Ba, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sn and Zn. The results of the study give evidence that the detection of Ba, Pb, and Sb among the products of a shot fired from the MR-79-9 Makarych non-lethal pistol is of especially high informative value for determining the shooting distance whereas the detection of Cr, K, Sn and Ni is of a minimum value for this purpose.

[The determination of the natural content of chemical elements in human biological objects (liver, kidney, stomach) by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma].

The objective of the present work was to continue the studies of the sites of concentration of the chemical elements corresponding to normal homeostasis in human biological objects by mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma. The study yielded the data on the natural content of 27 elements in the cadaveric liver, kidney, and stomach. It is recommended to use these findings as the reference parameters corresponding to normal homeostasis.

[Criteria for the determination of the distance of a gunshot from limited-range firearms based on the morphological characteristics of the wound and the results of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry].

We have developed the criteria allowing to determine the distance of a gunshot from limited-range firearms (an IZh-79-9TGM pistol with the elastic bullet cartridges) based on the morphological characteristics of the wound and the results of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The method has been developed for the quantitative determination of barium, lead, and antimony in the targets depending on the gunshot distance.

[Measurement of thallium content in human urine by atomic absorption spectrometry after acute poisoning].

The problem of poisoning with thallium-containing substances continues to be of current concern. According to the Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination, Moscow, specimens of biological materials from more than 20 victims of such poisoning were delivered for analysis in 2006. The total number of thallium poisoning episodes during the period since 1996 exceeded 50. Materials for thallium determination in biological fluids (human blood and urine) using flame atomic absorption spectrometry were prepared by dry mineralization of accurately weighed samples; acidic solutions of the products of mineralization were used for analysis. Due to peculiar kinetic features of thallium ion absorption in the gastro-intestinal tract, blood could not be used as a biological marker of poisoning. The level of thallium in urine samples was found to vary from 1.00 to 4,600 mcg/l (with the estimation of confidence intervals in each case). Results of chemical analysis correlated with pathological symptoms derived from the patients' discharge summaries and literature reports on dose-effect relationships. Based on these findings, practically all the examined cases were characterized as severe acute poisoning.

[Detection of antimony topography using diffuse-contact method on the skin targets of bio-manikins after shooting with Makarov gun from short distance].

The authors examined sedimentation of stibium in the area of experimental skin entry holes generated by Makarov gun shots from different distances. Regularities of allocation of stibium subject to the distance of the shot were determined. Practical recommendations for expert conclusion about the distance of the shot were given on the grounds of the results of the study.

[Determination of lithium content in human biological objects (liver, kidney) by the method of flame photometry].

The authors give a method of determination of the content of lithium in biological objects (liver, kidney) by the method of flame photometry. It is possible to use this method in forensic medicine in cases of acute intoxication.

[Assessment of accumulation of the shot products on the targets in shooting from a short-barreled gun with a muffler for estimation of shooting distance].

A practical expert task--to estimate shot distance and order of shots made in two victims from a gun with muffler--is described as illustration of opportunities of the complex investigation with experimental shots and emission spectral analysis of the targets. Distribution of the shot soot on the targets in shooting from the distance up to 1 m is analyzed.

[A complex study of damages inflicted by traumatic shots from the unstem gun PB-4].

Possibilities of a complex study of the damage to the body and clothes caused by shots from non-lethal arms (unstem gun PB-4 from a complex Osa) are illustrated by real expert tasks from forensic medical practice. A combination of experimental shots with emission spectral analysis of the objects of the study and targets is validated for determination of the patron characteristics and composition as well as shooting diastance.

[The use of emission spectrum analysis in the forensic medical expertise of gunshot wounds (experimental research)]. / Primenenie émissionnogo spektral'nogo analiza pri sudebno-meditsinskoi ékspertize ognestrel'nykh povrezhdenii (éksperimental'nye issledovaniia)]

Presents the methodology of experimental shots from various guns (n = 11) by common cartridges and of emission spectral analysis (ESA) which was used to study the regularities in deposition of "gunshot metals" at the site of gunshot injuries and to detect the characteristic differences in shooting with and without obstacles. Effects of some factors on deposition of metal components of gunshot products at the site of gunshot injuries are studied: type of gun, shell (with/without coating or semicoated), presence of obstacles, distance, and order of the shot. Results of studies are presented for some guns, which may be useful in forensic medical expert evaluations by means of ESA.

[Evaluation of injuries features inflicted by shots from gas guns by emission spectral analysis]. / Ustanovlenie metodom émissionnogo analiza osobennostei povrezhdenii, prichenennykh vystrelami iz gazovogo stvol'nogo oruzhiia.

The authors describe a methodological approach to emission spectral analysis of material evidences aimed at evaluating the regularities of deposition of the shot metals at the site of injuries inflicted by gas guns. Injuries inflicted by gunshots with chemical cartridges and with shot cartridges, with and without obstructions, from different distances have been examined. The detected regularities may be useful in forensic medical expert evaluations by means of emission spectral analysis in cases with gas gunshots.

[The possibilities for using in forensic medical practice a chemical analysis unit based on the Spectroscan spectrometer]. / O vozmozhnostiakh primeneniia v sudebno-meditsinskoi praktike khimiko-analiticheskogo kompleksa na baze spektrometra "Spektroskan".

Trials of the Russian x-ray fluorescent crystal diffraction scanning spectrometer Spectroscan A01 manufactured by the Spectron firm in St. Petersburg showed its drawbacks which can lead to erroneous interpretation of the results; this does not permit us to recommend this device for practical forensic medical expert evaluations.

[The determination of mercury in biological objects on a mercury hydride attachment to the AAS-30 atomic absorption spectrophotometer]. / Opredelenie rtuti v biologicheskikh ob''ektakh na rtutno-gidridnoi pristavke k atomno-absorbtsionnomu spektrofotometru AAS-30.

The authors demonstrate the possibility and describe the method for expert evaluation of mercury in biological material (urine, blood, organs and tissues from cadavers) using mercury-hydride attachment to the Carl Zeiss AAS-30 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Germany). This method is an integral component of chemical toxicological analysis in expert evaluation of poisonings.