Vol 7, No 2 (2021)

This article based on the unique English-language publication “history of forensic medicine,” edited by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Burkhard Madea, continues the series of publications on the state of forensic medicine globally, its past, present, and future. The initial articles were devoted to the organization of forensic medical examination of the United States of America, England, and China. The current article details the development and structure of the forensic expert service in the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany) from its origin to the present state. Both the main stages of its development and the modern organizational structure have been discussed. The article also states the primary points of teaching forensics at German medical universities as well as the order of specialization and postgraduate education of specialists. In addition, publishing activities and the principles for the formation of professional communities of forensic experts are covered. The study concludes that forensic medicine in Germany has over a century-old history and has established the optimal ratio of science and practice in activities. These aspects position forensic medicine in Germany as the best forensic medical service in the world.

Background: In the current forensic scenario, molecular genetic analyzes are used to identify the remains of victims of natural and man-made disasters, emergencies, and war conflicts. Aim: This study aimed to summarize forensic molecular genetic examinations conducted at the RCFME for identifying the victims of the Second World War in the Russian Federation. This was conducted to assess the prospects of using DNA identification analysis for unidentified remains of bodies buried in 1939–1945. Material and methods: We studied 30 expert reports from 2007 to 2021 of 171 skeletal bodies from exhumed graves. The total number of objects studied was 421 (bone fragments and teeth, from 1 to 5 objects from 1 body). Results: Using the remains, genotypes of 167 people were established. The success rate of evidence-based molecular genetic identification was 98% (171 cases). Of these, positive identification was noted for 10 body remains and negative identification for 157 remains. Four skeletal bodies (2%) were deemed unsuitable for research. In most cases, indirect identification schemes were used — a comparative study with putative relatives by biostatistical analysis of allelic variants of polymorphic loci of autosomal DNA as well as by direct comparative analysis of the polymorphism at the Y-chromosome DNA and mitochondrial DNA. Conclusions: Molecular genetic studies are highly effective for identifying the remains of victims of natural and man-made disasters, military conflicts, and other emergencies. The success of molecular genetic studies regarding the identification of victims of the Second World War conducted at the RCFME clearly demonstrate these possibilities. Simultaneously, it should be emphasized that this type of expertise falls to the category of rather complex molecular genetic studies, which requires the use of expanded panels of analytical test systems as well as the use of special methodological techniques and hardware and software.

Background: A mandatory factor in the development and implementation of diagnostic technologies for determining the time of death by the thermal method is the assessment of possible errors. For equations of cadaver cooling that have a deterministic character, error estimation is possible using a mathematical model of indirect measurement. Here, a mathematical model has been proposed for estimating the maximum absolute error in determining death on the basis of the Newton's–Richman's cooling law under conditions of constant and changing ambient temperature. Aim: Using a mathematical model of indirect measurement, this study developed a method for estimating errors in determining the prescription of death according to the Newton's–Richman's cooling law. Material and methods: Mathematical modeling of errors in determining the time of death in conditions of constant and changing ambient temperature was conducted according to the Newton's–Richman's law. The computer program code was drafted in the C# programming language using the Microsoft Visual Studio 2019 application. Results: Based on the indirect measurement model, a method for estimating the maximum absolute errors for determining the time of death during cooling according to the Newton's–Richman's law under conditions of constant and changing ambient temperature was developed. The results obtained allowed us to analytically determine errors in time the prescription of death in the early postmortem period. Conclusions: We developed a mathematical model for estimating maximum absolute errors while determining the time of death according to the Newton's–Richman's cooling law under conditions of constant and changing ambient temperature. The developed mathematical model was implemented as an application program Warm Bodies NRN. The proposed method might be used in forensic medical expert practice for determining the time of death.

Background: Lymphoid tissue is the first to react to stress, which manifests as characteristic morphological manifestations, based on which it is possible to study the duration of damage. Aims: Study of the dynamics of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the rat thymus during regeneration of the musculocutaneous tissue during mechanical thigh trauma. Material and methods: In total, 84 sexually mature rats were enrolled. These were divided into two groups (experiment and control), which were further classified into four subgroups depending on the time elapsed since the injury (1, 3, 15, and 25 days). Mechanical damage was simulated using a setup that transferred kinetic energy (comparable to a 5.6-mm rifle bullet) to tissues. Subsequently, the animals were removed from the experiment by decapitation; their thymus was removed and microscopically examined. In arbitrary units, the total area of the lobules as well as the area of the cortical and cerebral zones was determined. Results: Our research results indicate different phases of changes in the histomorphometric characteristics of the thymus, which correspond to the course of the wound and can be used in forensic practice to determine the duration of the injury. Conclusions: Mechanical trauma, considered as a stress reaction, causes involutive changes in the thymus and is characterized by changes in the area of the thymus cortex and medulla as well as regular dynamics of changes in the thymic lobules at different stages of wound regeneration.

Background: The article presents the results of experimental studies of gunshot injuries of biological tissue simulators in relation to the morphology of the wound channel, which depend on the characteristics of the cartridge used. Aim: To establish the features of the wound channel in the biological simulator caused by semi-shell bullets of cartridges fired from the KO-98M1 carbine under the 8×57 JS cartridge. Material and methods: Experimental shots were fired with 8×57 JS cartridges with shell and semi-shell bullets from the KO-98M1 hunting carbine. The first group of observations consisted of shots of cartridges with shell bullets of two radius ogival shape; the second group-shots of cartridges with semi-shell bullets with a head part in the form of a truncated cone. Shots with shell bullets of a single-radius ogival form formed the control group. In each group of observations, 10 shots were fired from a distance of 5–10 m, and a pig's half-carcass was used as a target. Results: In the first group of observations, the entrance injury had an oval or rounded shape, with a Central tissue defect with a diameter of 6.5±0.5 mm. the Wound channel from the entrance injury expanded conically and reached a maximum at a distance of 6 cm. In the second group of observations, the entrance gunshot injury had a rounded shape, with multiple radial tears, with a Central tissue defect with a diameter of 7.5±0.5 mm. The wound channel from the entrance injury expanded spherically immediately behind the skin, reaching a maximum at a distance of 4 cm. In the control group of observations, the entrance gunshot injury had a rectangular shape, with one or two radial breaks and a Central tissue defect with a diameter of 5.5±0.5 mm. The wound channel throughout corresponded to the diameter of the firearm shell. Conclusion: In the course of experimental studies, it was found that the rounding of the head part of the shell increases the size of the wound canal cavity by about 4 times. The runway occurs at a distance of 6 cm from the input damage. A semi-shell bullet with a head shape in the form of a truncated cone leads to the formation of a runway immediately behind the layer of skin, while the size of the visible cavity of the wound channel exceeds the size of the projectile by 15 times.

Background: Currently, the Russian Federation is facing an especially acute problem of medical personal undergoing criminal liability (CL) owing to inappropriate medical care. Aim: The goal is to analyze the level of legal training among the Kazan State Medical University (KSMU) students in matters of possible CL resulting from medical malpractice. Material and methods: From January 1, 2018, to March 30, 2018, we surveyed 426 students of KSMU. The survey questionnaire included questions on Russian legislation, the materials of forensic medicine, open investigative, and forensic practice. In total, 122 first-year (28.6%), 51 second-year (12%), 63 third-year (14.8%), 58 fourth-year (13.6%), 68 fifth-year (16%), and 64 sixth-year students (15%) were questioned. Results: Overall, 272 respondents (64%) considered that there should be no CL for medical personnel. In addition, 392 (92%) students were unaware of the Criminal Code articles used to prosecute medical workers. A possibility of CL scared 204 (48%) students from practicing. Moreover, 342 (80%) respondents noted that the study of “medical error” cases would reduce the number of such cases in future practice. We have introduced a new educational project “Medica Law Clinic” at the KSMU Forensic Medicine Department. Its goal is to ensure increase legal and professional training among students through a comprehensive analysis of criminal medical cases. The work presents the personal experience of eight educational events. Conclusions: Our findings revealed a need to increase the level of legal training among students of medical universities regarding criminal matters. A comprehensive analysis of criminal medical cases is a progressive pedagogical format that has proven its efficacy in the Republic of Tatarstan.

21–22 April 2021 in the Moscow Regional Research Institute named after M. F. Vladimirsky was held the International Congress "Topical Issues of Forensic Medicine and Expert Practice-2021". This article an overview of the most important events of the Congress.