[The application of mitochondrial genomics to forensic investigations based on human mitochondrial DNA testing]

In this study we present two forensic cases where mitochondrial DNA HVS I and HVS II haplotypes of evidentiary hairs match reference samples. Based on the information retrieved from mtDNA coding region of reference material, we selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located outside the HVS I and HVS II regions that could increase the informativeness of mtDNA analysis. The SNPs were typed via SNaPshot or dideoxy sequencing technology. In both cases the SNP results allowed for unambiguous exlusion of the evidence and for determining that reference samples originated from the same person.

[Development of a method for estimation of citalopram and desmethylcitalopram in nails and hair and its usefulness in forensic toxicology]

The report presents the possibility of using an alternative material of determining citalopram and its metabolite (desmethylcitalopram) in hair and nails. Citalopram (Cipramil, Citaratio, Citaxin, Oropram, Cital, Cilon, Aurex) is an antidepressant drug of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, employed in treatment of depression, prevention of depressive disorders recurrence and in some anxiety disorders. The investigations were performed using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray-ionization mass spectrophotometry (LC-ESI-MS). In the course of the study, the authors developed a method for isolation and identification of Citaprolam and its metabolite (desmethylcitaprolam) from hair and nails. Determination were performed in hair and nail samples collected from individuals who had been administered citalopram in therapeutic doses at least for 12 months before sample collection. Hair and nail samples were obtained 4, 6, 9 and 15 months after discontinuing drug administration. The concentration of citalopram in nails was 0.40-10.49 ng/mg and the concentration of desmethylcitalopram was 0.32-3.70 ng/mg. In hair, citalopram concentration was 1.04-8.69 ng/mg and for desmethylcitalopram, the concentration range was 0.07-1.27 ng/mg.

[Evaluating the applicability of medical examinations constituting "the protocol of obtaining a blood sample" in measuring the degree of intoxication]

Breathalysing and blood analysis is the basic instrument of measuring the level of intoxication. Prior to collecting a blood sample, an individual suspected of being under the influence of alcohol is examined by a physician, who fills out the "protocol of obtaining a blood sample". This work aims at evaluating the applicability of the described examination in measuring the level of intoxication. In order to do so, our team analyzed 352 "protocols of obtaining blood sample" referred to the Forensic Laboratory KWP in Bydgoszcz, Poland, and compared them with the results of blood analysis. The results of the above analysis point to the fact that the elements of medical examination constituting "the protocol of obtaining a blood sample" are of a minor usefulness in determining the degree of intoxication with ethyl alcohol. The smell from the mouth and the conclusions formulated the examining physician prove to be the most useful. The summary usage of deviations from the norm does not seem to increase the usefulness of methods used within "the protocol of obtaining a blood sample" in evaluating the degree of intoxication.

[Consent of a minor patient for experimental intervention]

Informed consent for medical intervention is one of the most frequently analyzed subjects in the doctrine of medical law. In spite of that it is quite common that particular instances of obtained consent are not consistent with the rules of the Polish legal system. One of the most difficult aspects of the above mentioned subject is consent for experimental procedure given by minor patients.

[A comparison of the Bluestar and luminol effectiveness in bloodstain detection]

The objective of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of two chemical agents--Bluestar and luminol--in detection of bloodstains. The experiments were performed to test for bloodstain detection sensitivity, chemical stability and to investigate the effect of both reagents on DNA typing. During this study, the authors prepared serial dilutions (1:2 to 1:10 000 000) of fresh blood, as well as dilutions of 25-year old blood on Whatman 3MM blotting paper. Additional dilutions of fresh blood were spotted on a glass surface. The experiments showed very similar results for both investigated reagents, although the Bluestar solution proved to be more stable (at least 7 days after the preparation) as compared to luminol (stable for not more than 24 hours). Both reagents showed a higher sensitivity for diluted bloodstains on a glass surface than for similar stains on filter paper. The investigators also demonstrated that multiplex amplification of DNA was feasible after Bluestar or luminol treatment, although the detected bloodstains might be too diluted to allow for effective DNA extraction and amplification.

[Methods of preliminary evaluation of psychophysical skills of drivers]

Drug and medication use-associated impairment of driving skills is increasingly becoming a serious problem. Detecting such DUI drivers is very difficult due to the diversity of drugs that affect the central nervous system (CNS), or to the possibility of using several drugs simultaneously. In practice there are numerous different simple tests, which do not require special equipment and can be used for preliminary detection of persons, who are suspected of taking drugs causing impairment of driving skills. In order to popularize the knowledge on the subject of testing drivers for drug use, the authors review the most commonly used methods of driving skill impairment evaluation reported in the literature, and present the scope of employing such tests in various countries.

[Medical criteria of delaying or stopping imprisonment]

Estimating the subject's ability to undergo imprisonment and determining whether there are any reasons for delaying or stopping imprisonment, has become a serious problem. Currently the Polish system lacks clear and homogenous opinionating criteria, and the available sources provide only general guidelines. This results in a great deal of discrepancy between opinions and evaluations made in similar cases. This work attempts to define and illustrate the criteria of the Executive Penal Code that are used in evaluating whether imprisonment is to be delayed or stopped. The authors have also provided examples of illnesses that would illustrate those definitions/criteria and came up with a suggested procedure of decision-making to be applied to such cases.

[The degree of closure of the cranial sutures as a quick method for adult age evaluation in autopsy]

The aim of this paper was to test a method of quick evaluation of age of deceased during autopsies based on examination of cranial suture closure. The age of 20 males and 20 females was evaluated based on sagittal and fragments of the coronal and lambdoid sutures. The results were compared with the actual chronological age of the deceased calculated on the basis of their dates of birth and demise. In many cases, a slight overestimation occurred in evaluating the age by analyzing the sutures. Thus the results show that a precise and thorough evaluation of the deceased's age is not possible on the basis of the cranial suture closure without maceration of the skull.

Postmortem examination of transepithelial ion currents in rabbit colon and trachea in relation to temperature of storage and its importance for interlethal reactions

Electrical phenomena resulting from transepithelial ion transport have been a subject of clinical, physiological, pharmacologic and toxicologic studies. These examinations concern mainly electric phenomena in live organisms. The changes of transepithelial ion pathways which take place postmortem have not been yet established. The aim of the study was an attempt to trace variability of electrophysiological parameters related to transepithelial ion transport in specimens of rabbit trachea and colon depending on temperature at which specimens were stored after death. It was observed that postmortem electric phenomena in epithelium of airways and alimentary tract of rabbit occur well-ordered but with slower course in trachea samples and in tissues which were preserved at low temperature after death.

[The problems concerning estimating age at death based on morphological features of adult skeletons]

The paper contains a review of biological definitions of age and their application in forensic anthropology as a theoretical basis for age at death identification. The authors discuss the reasons and importance of discrepancies between chronological and developmental age. Also emphasized was the significance of "age at death" expression and paying attention to the limitations of age at death estimation.

[Determination of bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) in biological material by gas chromatography with mass detector]

A gas chromatographic method with mass spectrometry has been developed for the determination of bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) in biological material (whole blood, organ samples). After incubation of the sample (temp. 65 degrees C, 15 min), 10 microliters of the headspace is analysed using a capillary column DB-5 ms (30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 micron). Quantitative analysis was made with the use of a single ion monitoring option--m/z 85 and m/z 87. This developed method was used to determine the concentration of bromochlorodifluoromethane in biological material collected from the body of the man whose death was due to intoxication of Halon 1211--fire-extinguisher contents.

[Evolution of Patient's Rights in Polish legislation in the years 1918-1998 in comparison to the European Community Norms]

The evolution of patient's rights covering the years of 1918-1998 in Polish legislation is presented. These rights have been discussed within the group of law acts pertaining to medical practice and to health care institutions. The patient's rights included in the European Council's documents have also been considered.

[Theoretical bases of electrical processes in epithelial tissue]

In this study the basic electrophysiological ideas are presented and the electrical processes in epithelial tissues connected with the mechanisms of transepithelial ion transport. Knowledge of electric phenomena which takes place in epithelium after circulatory arrest, can contribute to the future explanation of the mechanisms which accompany interlethal reactions.

[Use of morphologic changes in the pubic symphysis for age determination in the Polish male population]

The aim of this study was to determine if the Suchey-Brooks age at death estimation method could be applied to a male sample from the Polish population. Public symphyses were taken from cadavers of 83 males of age 13-88 years. On the base of the morphological key features every symphysis was qualified to the appropriate age phase. The estimation of means and standard deviations of chronological age of every phase was the next step in the study. The differences turned out to be insignificant for phases I-III and significant for phases IV-VI. These results suggests using the Suchey method only for age estimation of younger males.

[Development of the contemporary age at death estimating methods from cranial suture closure]

The paper presents a review of the most important studies on age estimating from cranial sutures. The main directions of investigations, the results of population studies and research into sex and race impact were presented in a historical context. Particular attention was paid to contemporary, advanced methods of age estimating from cranial suture closure.

[Using Lamendin and Meindl-Lovejoy methods for age at death estimation of the unknown person]

The paper presents the precise description of two methods used for age estimation on the base of single rooted tooth and cranial suture obliteration. Using the methods mentioned above, the age at death of the unknown person was estimated. A comparison of the estimated age and chronological age derived after identification, showed high usefulness of the mentioned methods.

Determination of paracetamol (acetaminophen) in different body fluids and organ samples after solid-phase extraction using HPLC and an immunological method

A solid-phase extraction method routinely used for serum samples was improved and applied to the qualitative and quantitative determination of paracetamol in different body fluids, e.g. blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, vitreous humor, and in tissue samples. A very simple method showed best results: Body fluids were mixed with phenacetine as internal standard and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8). Then protein was precipitated using acetonitrile. After strong centrifugation the supematant was transferred to a preconditioned Bakerbond C18-SPE-column. Elution with methanol without a prior washing step showed best recovery rates. The extracts were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection, a photometrical and an immunochemical method.

[Post-mortem concentration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in the vitreous body of the human eye]

After sudden death the blood remains fluid and after late death the thrombi are present in heart and vasa. Earlier we observed after sudden death high concentrations of t-PA Ag in plasma with strong activation of fibrinolysis, consumption of PAI-1, plasminogen, fibrinogen, alfa-2 antiplasmin and a big increase of FDP. Fibrinolysis is mainly regulated by t-PA, u-PA and PAI-1.

PURPOSE

The aim of our study was the evaluation of t-PA and PAI-1 in corpus vitreous and plasma of patients after sudden (26) and late death (12).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The concentration of t-PA Ag was measured with COA SET of Kabi Vitrum and the activity of PAI-1 with reagents of Biopool.

RESULTS

In corpus vitreous the concentration of t-PA after sudden death was 3.65 +/- 1.83 ng/ml and after late death 1.93 +/- 1.63 ng/ml. The activity of PAI-1 was respectively 0.61 +/- 1.2 IU/ml and 2.25 +/- 3.30 IU/ml. After sudden death the concentration of t-PA was twice higher and PAI-1 three times lower as after late death.

CONCLUSION

No dependence of t-PA concentration and the time after death could be observed.