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The article is devoted to the analysis of the norms of the criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine and other normative legal acts on the issues of forensic expert activity, which regulate the procedural mechanism of involving experts from other states who possess special knowledge and skills necessary to provide substantiated and objective written conclusions during pretrial investigation and trial. Since the introduction of martial law in Ukraine in February 2022, the country has faced an urgent need to conduct an excessive number of forensic examinations in criminal proceedings related, in particular, to the identification of unidentified bodies and human remains. The scale of the tragedy required the involvement of foreign experts to conduct relevant research related to the development of DNA profiles of the victims and their relatives. The article states that international cooperation during criminal proceedings includes, in addition to the fulfillment of requests for investigative (search) actions on the territory of other states in order to obtain evidence, the creation of joint investigative teams for the investigation of crimes, as well as the use of special knowledge in the form of forensic examinations. It is concluded that the involvement of foreign experts in criminal proceedings in Ukraine in the order of international cooperation is provided for by the provisions of normative legal acts of a national nature, albeit in a rather general form. However, the procedural mechanism of involving experts and the order of international cooperation clearly need to be refined. Based on the results of the analysis, the actual mechanisms for involving foreign experts in criminal proceedings, which are provided for by the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine and the Law of Ukraine «On Forensic Expertise», as well as existing gaps in the legislative regulation in this area, have been determined. Judicial practice also points to the possibility of involving specialists from other states for joint forensic examinations in criminal proceedings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is devoted to highlighting the capabilities and specifics of appointing forensic trassological examinations of human foot and footwear traces, vehicle traces, locking and protective (control) devices, and burglary tools in the investigation of criminal offenses committed by organized groups or criminal organizations. It has been proven that the forensic trassological examinations play a significant role in establishing the circumstances of criminal offenses committed by organized groups or criminal organizations. However, in practice, their capabilities are not fully utilized. The tasks solved by each of the studied types of examinations in the mentioned criminal proceedings have been identified, including determining the group nature of the offense, differentiating the «roles» of participants in the offense, and more. Problematic issues arising during the appointment of such examinations are outlined, and recommendations are provided regarding the preparation of objects for examination and samples for comparative research. It is noted that for proper preparation of objects when appointing the mentioned examinations, as well as for correctly formulating questions to the expert, it is advisable for the investigator to seek the assistance of a specialist who is an expert in forensic trassological studies. The author presents a viewpoint on the minimum number of shoe prints that should be reflected in the «track» of traces to obtain reliable results from expert analysis (at least 7-8 prints, sequentially left by the right and left feet of a person). Attention is drawn to the fact that current methodological recommendations for appointing forensic trassological examinations of human foot and shoe traces suggest asking the expert: «What is the approximate height of the person who left the traces?» It is noted that this question cannot be reliably answered due to the absence of scientifically validated research methods. Apromising area of scientific research, as identified by the author, is the exploration of the possibilities of using other trassological examinations in the investigation of criminal offenses committed by organized groups or criminal organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few victims of sexual assault (SA) report to the police. Research on the role of support persons in victims' reporting is sparse. We address this gap by examining the association of victim, assailant, victimization incident, and support characteristics with reporting rates among victims attending sexual assault care centers (SACCs). Logistic regression results show that type of SA, delay between SA and presentation at SACC, and presence of an informal support person at SACC and SACC site are significantly associated with police reporting. These findings reveal the importance of targeting victims' support persons to alter reporting behavior among SA victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyses the peculiarities of appointment and production of expertise in the investigation of facts related to the violation of safety rules in mining operations. The relevance of the research topic is due to the increase in deaths and injuries at work and several legal problems. These include a) failure to comply with the requirement of Article 271 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Republic of Kazakhstan; b) the absence in the Order of the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 27 March 2017 of a list of expertise to be appointed in the investigation of violations of safety rules during mining operations. The situation is further complicated by the absence of clear methodological guidelines for investigators regarding the procedure for appointing forensic examinations and formulating questions for experts. The authors assert that the national system of forensic examination must be modernised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in the number of enemy shelling of Ukraine causes human casualties, the destruction of buildings, and environmental disasters. Investigators are investigating hundreds of criminal offenses related to the conduct of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Undoubtedly, military investigations and war crimes require the application of modern innovative criminalistics knowledge. Criminal proceedings for these types of criminal offenses have been investigated since 2014. Despite the fact that there is a certain experience of investigation and a certain established practice, today, based on the huge number of these criminal offenses, it is necessary to increase the effectiveness of their investigation. The problems of the investigation of military criminal offenses are highlighted in the works of scientists G.K. Avdeeva, V.V. Bilousa, E.B. Simakova-Efremyan, V.Yu. Shepitka and other scientists. That is why today it is important to review the innovative areas of criminalistics used in the investigation of military criminal offenses. In the legal literature, the problems of using helicopters in the investigation of projectile hits in buildings, warehouses, industrial zones, etc. are considered. Of course, this is a forensic development that is very necessary for inspections of destroyed buildings in large areas. Innovative criminalistics knowledge is used in the investigation of military criminal offenses in the form of involving forensic experts and in the form of conducting forensic examinations. However, there are certain difficulties in realizing the possibilities of conducting forensic examinations, in particular, and inviting foreign specialists. Of course, modern achievements in the field of forensic expertise and criminalistics are used during investigative (search) actions, covert investigative (search) actions. During the inspection of the scene of the incident in one of the districts of Kharkiv, where oil leaked into the river as a result of an enemy attack, an inspection of huge soil areas and water bodies was carried out. Specialists were involved in the selection of samples for conducting various types of forensic examinations. An engineering and environmental examination was appointed. Therefore, in the conditions of war, the investigator cannot do without the use of special knowledge and the introduction of innovations, as in the investigation of military criminal offenses. It is proposed to consider the use of innovative criminalistics knowledge in the form of involving forensic experts and conducting forensic examinations, and in the form of inviting specialists to investigative (search) actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the investigation of sexual assault cases, a standard practice involves examining female genitalia to identify injuries. The majority of research was done to examine findings in the child age group, but very little research was done on the adult age group. There is a need for guidelines to follow for the interpretation of adult female findings as they hold the same significance as in children. The Dammam Forensic Medicine Center conducted a retrospective chart review study in the period from 2014 to 2021 to examine adult female genital findings utilizing photographic documentation. Results: One hundred sixty-three cases involving adults between the ages of 18 and 52 were examined. Cases were divided into two groups to focus on hymenal findings that fell in the class of no expert consensus. The first group included self-defined virgins, who denied having ever experienced vaginal penetration in their entire lives, including the reported incidence, which represented 38 cases. The rest of the cases had at least a single incident of vaginal penetration. The normal genitourinary findings were found comparable to those in the child age group. All of the participants who showed notches or clefts, below the 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock location, which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the group with a history of vaginal penetration. The three participants who showed a notch or a cleft in the hymen rim at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the same group. Conclusions: Findings that lack expert consensus in the child age group are likely the result of injury in the study participants. This result gives valuable information on genital findings in self-identified virgin adult females, which can be utilized in conjunction with other studies to establish standards for the assessment of cases of alleged sexual assault in adult females. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In the investigation of sexual assault cases, a standard practice involves examining female genitalia to identify injuries. The majority of research was done to examine findings in the child age group, but very little research was done on the adult age group. There is a need for guidelines to follow for the interpretation of adult female findings as they hold the same significance as in children. The Dammam Forensic Medicine Center conducted a retrospective chart review study in the period from 2014 to 2021 to examine adult female genital findings utilizing photographic documentation. Results One hundred sixty-three cases involving adults between the ages of 18 and 52 were examined. Cases were divided into two groups to focus on hymenal findings that fell in the class of no expert consensus. The first group included self-defined virgins, who denied having ever experienced vaginal penetration in their entire lives, including the reported incidence, which represented 38 cases. The rest of the cases had at least a single incident of vaginal penetration. The normal genitourinary findings were found comparable to those in the child age group. All of the participants who showed notches or clefts, below the 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock location, which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the group with a history of vaginal penetration. The three participants who showed a notch or a cleft in the hymen rim at 3 o’clock or 9 o’clock which extends nearly to the base of the hymen, but is not a complete transection belonged to the same group. Conclusions Findings that lack expert consensus in the child age group are likely the result of injury in the study participants. This result gives valuable information on genital findings in self-identified virgin adult females, which can be utilized in conjunction with other studies to establish standards for the assessment of cases of alleged sexual assault in adult females.

The article is devoted to the important issue of international standards integration into the national system of forensic examination. The influence of international legal norms on the regulation of expert activity in Ukraine is analysed and the prospects for the development of this area are outlined. Particular attention is paid to the importance of forensic examination in legal proceedings, and the key role of experts in establishing objective truth and ensuring justice through their specialised knowledge is emphasised. Foreign experience in the field of forensic examination is considered, taking into account the use of specialised knowledge and methods of conducting examinations in other countries. It is indicated that in the context of crime globalisation, forensic examination in Ukraine should meet the highest international standards. To achieve this, it is necessary not only to update the legislative framework, but also to expand the capabilities of experts, introduce modern research methods and ensure close cooperation with international expert institutions. This will improve the quality of investigations and the effectiveness of the fight against crime. International cooperation in the field of forensic science, regulated by Section 4 of the Law of Ukraine “On Forensic Science”, is a key tool for ensuring effective judicial proceedings. It allows for the involvement of highly qualified specialists from different countries in the investigation of complex criminal cases and the use of modern research methods, which contributes to the establishment of objective truth. To ensure the high quality of forensic examinations and their international recognition, it is necessary to unify approaches and standards. International cooperation in this area facilitates the exchange of experience, the introduction of the latest techniques and the creation of common databases, which increases the reliability of expert opinions and their recognition around the world.

The article substantiates the position that in the course of investigation of collaboration activities, it is important to involve competent persons in criminal proceedings. The author emphasizes that digital traces have a significant evidentiary potential, which, based on the results of expert research, i.e., on the basis of the implementation of procedural forms of using special knowledge, become the basis for obtaining procedural sources of evidence in criminal proceedings. It is determined that it is inadmissible during the investigation to neglect the prospects of these forms of use of special knowledge or to neglect the stage of preparation for the appointment of these examinations. It is noted that this may lead to the loss of evidentiary potential of certain material and digital objects. In this regard, an indispensable condition at the stage of preparation for the appointment of these expert examinations is to take measures to collect comparative samples for expert examination, to record them procedurally in the criminal proceedings and to send a qualified expert authorised to conduct this type of expert examination in a timely manner. Based on the study of law enforcement and expert practice and taking into account the provisions of theoretical research, the opportunities of modern expert research in proving the circumstances to be established in the course of investigation of collaboration activities are determined. Based on the results of the analysis of expert opinions, the study identifies typical mistakes that occur in the practical activities of pre-trial investigation bodies and provides recommendations for eliminating such shortcomings which affect the ability to solve expert tasks in particular and tactical tasks of investigation in general. Based on a generalisation of the expert examinations most often ordered in the course of investigation of collaboration activities, it is determined that comparative samples and objects sent for expert examination should be prepared, obtained and sometimes even manufactured in compliance with the following recommendations: 1) to ensure their receipt in the manner prescribed by the criminal procedural legislation; 2) to send for expert examination only those objects that meet the requirements of completeness and reliability, and in the case of portrait and handwriting examination – also comparison; 3) to seek advice from a forensic expert in the absence of the initiator of the expert examination of the necessary knowledge of the peculiarities of the preparation of comparative samples, as well as other information that should be communicated to the future expert.

The article discusses some aspects of the study of the readiness and cost of design documentation of construction projects in forensic examination; establishes the objects of such examination; describes their quality criteria. The authors analyze the most common mistakes in forensic research, as well as the possibilities for solving terminological problems and integrating conceptual fields of different sciences. They also show the perspectives of applying the theory of qualimetry and the economic theory of utility in an expert study of the readiness and cost of design documentation for construction projects. A general comprehensive assessment of project quality has been developed: special attention has been paid to absolute and relative indicators of the readiness of project documentation.The authors propose a reasonable version of the calculation justification for the degree of readiness of project documentation, they show the advantages of the suggested methodological approach, and first of all, the possibility of applying computer processing of results and the relative simplicity of the software calculation algorithm.

This paper is devoted to the issues of determining the upper and lower limits of an economically reasonable interest rate on debt obligations. The purpose of the study is to determine the boundaries of an economically reasonable interest rate on debt obligations, taking into account the main conditions of the loan relations: security, urgency, frequency of payments, availability (absence) measures of state support, etc. In the course of the study, such methods as content analysis of sources, regulatory regulation, and market analysis were used. The study is based on the analysis of the norms of the relationship between economic entities, taking into account the conditions for implementation of state support in socially significant areas of economic relations. In order to study the pay ability of debt obligations, the author analyzed the rules of tax legislation. It examined legal acts which revealed the facts of the use of terms of relationships other than those applied in the open market. Identified reasons for the existence of conditions of credit and borrowing relations, other than economically reasonable: interaction of affiliates, bonded terms of the transaction. The author discloses the concept of an “economically reasonable interest rate on debt obligations”, which arose as a result of the inadmissibility (taking into account the rules of regulatory legal acts and established judicial practice) of the use of the term “market value” in relation to loan relations. The results demonstrated that the values of interest rates on debt obligations have an economically reasonable linkage (through the specified multiples of the key rate values). From the point of view of the interest rate on loan obligations, debt obligations are divided into corresponding magnified groups (debt obligations between affiliates; preferential debt liabilities; debts taking into account the degree of risk of the borrower and the security of borrowing resources). The author makes a conclusion about the revealed fundamental patterns in relation to economically reasonable interest rates on debt obligations, taking into account contractual terms between economic entities.

Abstract Background Sexual assault is an important social issue that influences women’s lives. Despite a significant increase in 2018, there is no reliable information available in the Kingdom of Bahrain about female sexual assaults. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of reported sexual assaults among living female victims in the Kingdom of Bahrain. All medicolegal reports of sexual assaults in living female victims from 2016 to 2020 were included. Reported cases were studied for sociodemographic data of victims, assailant data, assault circumstances, and medicolegal findings and procedures. Results The prevalence of female sexual assault allegations was 7%. During the studied period, there were 272 cases of sexual assault overall. Most cases were in the age group 18–30 years (41.2%). In 58.1% of assaults, the assailant was the boyfriend or partner of the victim. The medicolegal examination took place within 2 days after assault in only 32%. Forensic examination of sexual assault victims revealed extragenital injuries in only 30.9% of cases. Sexual assaults involving mixed penetration occurred in 66.9% of victims, followed by vaginal penetration (30.1%), then anal penetration (2.9%). The final medicolegal opinion confirmed positive assault in 38.6% of allegations and negative assault in 32.4% of allegations, while allegations that have no firm medicolegal conclusion were 29%. Conclusions Despite the efforts made in Bahrain, there is an underestimated problem of sexual violence against females which needs a robust multilevel strategy including the roles of education, law, and non-governmental institutions.

In bio-/necropolitical accounts, the border penetrates and insists on, that is, transforms, the bodies of people on the move, marking the constitutive violence of sovereignty-based hospitality or hostility. What is largely conceptually neglected in such accounts, however, is the subversive and risky activity of people on the move who themselves are insisting on the border by outsmarting and transgressing it. Extensions of bio-/necropolitics focusing on the debilitating aspects of state violence show how the border extends beyond a liminal status that reproduces binaries – such as exclusion/inclusion, (non-)citizenship, and (il-)legality) – thereby enabling a recentring of people on the move as agents. This paper seeks to (re-)formulate the idea of a 'border-as-assemblage' by offering a somatechnical reading of border transgression. The body on the move forms part of this assemblage as it challenges and reproduces the border across different technoscapes. In particular, I focus on the scene of the forensic examination room where people on the move must prove their deservingness by exposing their bodies to a medicalising-moralising gaze. This scene forms the entrance point to a consideration of the somatechnical entanglements giving shape to the assemblage of the migrant body. I reflect also on how somatechnics could be mobilised to think the body as a potential site of struggle against this (physically and epistemically) violent objectification and, in so doing, offer new perspectives on border resistance through refusal and as claim to opacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual assault is an important social issue that influences women's lives. Despite a significant increase in 2018, there is no reliable information available in the Kingdom of Bahrain about female sexual assaults. The aim of this study is to investigate the pattern of reported sexual assaults among living female victims in the Kingdom of Bahrain. All medicolegal reports of sexual assaults in living female victims from 2016 to 2020 were included. Reported cases were studied for sociodemographic data of victims, assailant data, assault circumstances, and medicolegal findings and procedures. Results: The prevalence of female sexual assault allegations was 7%. During the studied period, there were 272 cases of sexual assault overall. Most cases were in the age group 18–30 years (41.2%). In 58.1% of assaults, the assailant was the boyfriend or partner of the victim. The medicolegal examination took place within 2 days after assault in only 32%. Forensic examination of sexual assault victims revealed extragenital injuries in only 30.9% of cases. Sexual assaults involving mixed penetration occurred in 66.9% of victims, followed by vaginal penetration (30.1%), then anal penetration (2.9%). The final medicolegal opinion confirmed positive assault in 38.6% of allegations and negative assault in 32.4% of allegations, while allegations that have no firm medicolegal conclusion were 29%. Conclusions: Despite the efforts made in Bahrain, there is an underestimated problem of sexual violence against females which needs a robust multilevel strategy including the roles of education, law, and non-governmental institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual abuse is a severe and widespread problem across the globe. The sexual exploitation of children is incomparable whose dynamics are very unusual to that of adult sexual abuse and hence should be handled and investigated differently. Failure to misdiagnose sexual abuse can expose the children to the risk of further abuse and may lead to serious consequences. This case report describes the forensic examination of a 17-year-old girl who primarily presented to the obstetrics and gynecology department with complaints of episodic acute urinary retention and difficulty in passing urine. While evaluating her, the primary physicians observed complete adhesion and fusion of labia majora. This unusual presentation made the examining physicians suspicious of genital mutilation and child sexual abuse. The examination revealed that the labia majora was less appreciable and was fused like parchment-like skin with no visualization of labia minora, clitoris, hymen and vaginal opening. There were no fresh signs of injuries to the anogenital region and no evidence of any surgical procedure done in the recent past suspected to be of genital mutilation. The local examination findings and absence of signs of trauma or surgical scar marks disproved the suspicion of genital mutilation and sexual abuse. The patient's condition was diagnosed with lichen sclerosus et atrophicus, causing genital labial sclerosus. The attending physicians often mistake such conditions as signs of suspected sexual abuse and if not correctly identified, may invite unwarranted child abuse inquiry by law enforcement authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to identify the main models of organisation of the forensic system in Ukraine and to assess international experience in the field of expert support of justice, as well as to analyse ways to adapt modern world standards to national expert practice. The theoretical basis of the study was the documents defining the status and organisation of forensic experts in Ukraine, Latvia and the Czech Republic. The functions related to forensic examinations, examination, and seizure were analysed. It was revealed that the organisation of forensic expert activity in European countries is focused on creating an effective system of expert institutions and ensuring optimal conditions for conducting examinations by qualified specialists who are appropriately accredited and included in the official registers of forensic experts. It was emphasised that in Ukraine there is a mixture of two approaches to structuring forensic expert activity. The advantages of such a mixed model include harmonisation of forensic examinations, standardization of expert methods, accreditation of forensic laboratories and publicity of the register of forensic experts. The author substantiated the need to integrate the Ukrainian system of expert support of justice into the international context and to participate Ukrainian forensic institutions in international organisations that bring together foreign expert institutions. This will help to improve the procedures for the participation of forensic experts in justice. The author proposed to establish a single body – the National Service for the Provision of Forensic Expertise, which will be subordinated to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Thus, the practical significance of the study is that its results can be used to centrally address the problem of methodological and information support of expert activity, which in turn will improve the organisation of forensic activities in Ukraine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To stay abreast of the best international practices, the Arab Gulf countries have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Treaty, which includes clauses on safeguarding the well-being of children against child abuse and neglect. The enactment of laws, policies, and facilities designed to protect the rights of the child has not yet been studied to determine whether it leads to appropriate legal dispositions against perpetrators of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Oman. Aims: This study has been launched to address two interrelated objectives; (i) describe the characteristics of CSA victims and perpetrators and (ii) examine factors associated with medicolegal findings and judicial results for CSA complainants in Oman. Methods: Data come from a retrospective survey that covered one year from January 2017 to December 2017. Data from participants who met the study criteria were drawn from statistics published by the Oman Public Prosecution. The study was designed to obtain sociodemographic characteristics of victims and perpetrators of CSA, the types of prevalent cases of CSA, whether CSA was the result of family or extrafamilial encounters, and the characteristics of medical findings and legal results. Result: During the designated period, 269 victims and 269 defendants were identified. Most of the victims were boys (55.8 %), and their ages ranged from 9 to 15 years (mean age 12 years). Among the perpetrators, all were men, with ages ranging between 20 and 40 years (mean age 28.3 years). The vast majority (96.7 %) of reported cases were of extrafamilial type. The identified types of CSA constituted inappropriate sexual behavior towards children (63 %), followed by sodomization (26 %) and vaginal coitus (7.1 %). The factors that explained the results in favour of the victims in the medicolegal findings included the female sex of the victim (AOR = 2.78, 95%CI = 1.01–7.87), and the ages of the victim between 8 and 12 years (AOR = 4.29, 95 % CI = 1.51–12.16). Among the cases that were tried in court, 76 % were convicted and sentenced to an average of 30 months in correctional facilities. Factors associated with the conviction of the perpetrator were victims' ages between 13 and 17 years (AOR = 3.45, 95 % CI = 1.22 to 9.79), the type of abuse was sodomization (AOR = 1.95, 95%CI = 1.08–6.78), and cases that included positive forensic results (AOR = 2.66, 95 % CI = 1.23 to 8.45). Discussion: To date, studies on medical-legal and judicial outcomes of CSA in developing countries have received little attention. The present sentinel study lays the foundation for future studies using the robust methodology required to further scrutinize the medicolegal findings and judicial results of CSA in similar regions of the Middle East. The present findings also suggest that the CSA trends in Oman tend to echo those reported from developed countries, but there are also culture-specific factors that shape reporting, as well as medico-legal and judicial outcomes.

During the commission of crimes, traces of biological origin are left on the objects of the environment, tools, clothing, and the body of the participants. To conduct an identification study, an expert needs to compare the traces of the crime with biological samples of the person being tested. Criteria for determining biological samples are proposed. The biological criterion means that the samples reflect the internal and external properties of a person as a biological organism. The informational criterion is that the samples meet certain requirements: undoubted origin, required quantity, proper quality, compatibility with traces of crime. The identification criterion establishes that the human properties reflected by the samples are individual, stable, cannot be deliberately altered by a person and are suitable for identification. The procedural criterion means that biological samples must be collected in a lawful manner. Based on these criteria, biological samples for examination include: body parts; secretions as products of human activity; imprints of the skin relief of the human body. The mandatory participants in the collection of biological samples as a procedural action are: persons from whom biological samples are collected; officials who conduct the collection of samples and are responsible for its legality and validity; a specialist or expert; witnesses; employees of the relevant law enforcement agencies (in the case of compulsory collection of biological samples). Optional participants are a defence counsel, legal representative, representative, lawyer, doctor at their request. During the compulsory collection of biological samples, in order to ensure the legality, objectivity, reliability of the objects of expert research, preservation of health and observance of human rights, it is necessary to comply with legal, ethical, medical and forensic conditions. The author proposes a general algorithm for the tactics of obtaining biological samples for examination at the stage of pre-trial investigation, which includes the preparatory, working and final stages.

The urgent task of forensic expert science is the development of methodological bases of judicial examination of construction facilities design documentation, which differ from the methodological provisions of non-judicial state (or non-state) examination of design documentation. Purpose: to undertake a comparative analysis of judicial examination of construction facilities design documentation and non-judicial examination of design documentation carried out in accordance with Article 49 of the Town Planning Code of the Russian Federation. Methods: empirical methods of comparison, description, mathematical calculations; theoretical methods of formal and dialectical logic; specific scientific methods of modeling and interpretation of legal norms. Results: the article develops and formulates the definitions of the basic concepts of judicial examination of design documentation. On the basis of comparative analysis, the authors identify some analogies and differences in the tasks and methods of research in the procedure for conducting judicial and nonjudicial examination of construction facilities design documentation. The article considers procedural features of the application of existing norms to the composition, content and presentation of design documentation as well as to the calculation substantiation of design decisions. Some problems of carrying out judicial examination of construction facilities design documentation are revealed: insufficient level of qualification of forensic experts; errors related to misunderstanding of the subject, purpose and objectives of forensic examinations. The necessity and specifics of individualization of design documentation in the course of judicial and non-judicial expert examination of construction facilities design documentation are noted. It is established that the basis for a forensic report is the assessment of the impact of non-compliance of design solutions with the normative rules on the reliability of the designed structure. Methodological recommendations are developed for assessing construction facilities design documentation.

Liability for the illicit production and trafficking of pornographic materials or objects, production and trafficking of materials or objects with pornographic images of minors, and the use of a minor for the production of pornographic materials or objects is provided for in Articles 242, 242.1, 242.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. A prerequisite for the effective investigation of such crimes is the classification of seized material as pornographic, for which, in most cases, specialized knowledge is used. Purpose: to analyze the problems of determining the area of specialized knowledge required in the investigation of crimes under Articles 242, 242.1, 242.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. In the result of the study, the article identifies the main types of specialized knowledge used in deciding whether to classify materials or objects as pornographic. The article formulates the subject, object and tasks of forensic examination of pornographic materials. It is shown that the examination of pornographic materials and examinations that establish the impact of such materials on society and the individual have different research objects.

The article analyzes new concepts introduced by Federal Law No. 478-FZ of December 5, 2022, such as propaganda of non-traditional sexual preferences, pedophilia and gender reassignment. The aim is to comprehend the significance of the mentioned categories and their potential ramifications on law enforcement practices and forensic activities. The meaning of these terms is primarily considered based on the sociocultural context. The assessment of the level of traditionalism regarding sexual preferences and gender-fluid behavior is conducted uniquely within specific societies, governed by their respective rules and norms. It is noted that the international and Russian societies hold qualitatively distinct attitudes toward these phenomena. Special attention is paid to the analysis of propaganda of the phenomena under consideration. It is noted that in Russian society, propaganda is not always correctly interpreted; often it is replaced by the categories of 'justification' and 'call to action,' which have different meanings. In particular, the category "pedophilia propaganda" is considered, the contradictory nature of the result of the joint use of these nominations is emphasized: if pedophilia is understood as a disorder of sexual preference, its propaganda is impossible. Based on this logical discrepancy, a conclusion is made about the possible need to amend criminal, criminal procedure and penal enforcement legislation. The author presents definitions for the three terms under discussion. Regarding the propaganda of non-traditional sexual preferences, pedophilia, and gender reassignment, the article's author proposes understanding it as the persuasion of the general audience in the validity and necessity of embracing corresponding ideologies. The potential for forensic expert engagement in detecting distinctive markers of propaganda related to the discussed phenomena is outlined. A three-stage algorithm for expert analysis is suggested: identifying the central theme of contentious content, discerning the author's stance and inclination towards shaping the audience's receptiveness to the declared viewpoint. The overarching conclusion is drawn that the enactment of laws prohibiting LGBT propaganda necessitates continued collaborative efforts among a diverse range of specialists. These efforts should be directed towards establishing a shared understanding of the new terms, addressing clinical, diagnostic, and legal challenges, and developing methodological frameworks to support law enforcement and expert activities.

An urgent task for expert practice is to develop modern instrumentation and new quantitative methods of evaluation for objects of forensic ballistic examination, in particular, gunshot residues. The purpose of this work is to determine the capability of the MS-Unit computer vision hardware and software complex in quantitative assessment of the main and additional characteristics of a shot to solve the most frequently encountered problem - determining the distance of the shot. MS-Unit consists of an autonomous spectrozonal illuminator “Photobox 3138” with white light function with high color rendering index CRI= 97+, digital camera, computer, and a desktop app ImgOpinion. The authors have studied the functionality of ImgOpinion application when forming a “damage data sheet”. Based on the proposed algorithms for measuring colorimetric characteristics, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the close shot traces on test targets produced by shooting from a short-barreled firearms have been assessed. The presented software provides accurate mathematical calculation and analysis of the data on the soot deposition on targets, as well as an opportunity to illustrate the obtained results in the form of graphs and diagrams.

High-speed digital video cameras enable us to observe fast-flowing phenomena such as detonation, shot, and spark discharges; to visualize the stages of destruction and deformation; to produce accurate measurements of motion parameters, promoting improvement of the design characteristics for various products, revealing the nature of events and verifying scientific theories. High-speed video recording can visually complement the text of a scientific study or expert opinion, makes it possible to perceive processes and events, the presentation of which is difficult due to the significant volume of material or the complexity of its comprehension.The analysis of foreign publications and the experience of using a high-speed video complex in the Department of traceological and ballistic examination of the Russian Federal Centre of Forensic Science of the Russian Ministry of Justice shows that this type of video recording is a promising method of expert and scientific research, has an advantage over textual description, as well as traditional photo methods and video fixation, since it provides documentary filming, visibility, high accuracy and objectivity of information transmission. It also serves as a tool for solving scientific and practical problems, since it provides higher-level information that contributes to increasing the reliability and validity of the results obtained.

Sudden unexpected deaths often remain unresolved despite forensic examination, posing challenges for pathologists. Molecular autopsy, through genetic testing, can reveal hidden causes undetectable by standard methods. This review assesses the role of molecular autopsy in clarifying SUD cases, examining its methodology, utility, and effectiveness in autopsy practice. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42024499832). Searches on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science identified English studies (2018–2023) on molecular autopsy in sudden death cases. Data from selected studies were recorded and filtered based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics analyzed the study scope, tissue usage, publication countries, and journals. A total of 1759 publications from the past 5 years were found, with 30 duplicates excluded. After detailed consideration, 1645 publications were also excluded, leaving 84 full-text articles for selection. Out of these, 37 full-text articles were chosen for analysis. Different study types were analyzed. Mutations were identified in 17 studies, totaling 47 mutations. Molecular investigations are essential when standard exams fall short in determining sudden death causes. Expertise in molecular biology is crucial due to diverse genetic conditions. Discrepancies in post-mortem protocols affect the validity of results, making standardization necessary. Multidisciplinary approaches and the analysis of different tissue types are vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Sexual assault (SA) is a highly prevalent issue, with significant adverse health sequelae. Given that general practitioners (GPs) may serve as the first point of contact for many SA victims, their awareness of post-SA care and appropriate understanding of referral pathways to a sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) are critically important. This study evaluated GP trainees' knowledge of and comfort with post-SA care. Methods: Educational intervention study using a didactic teaching session was delivered by a specialist forensic examiner on post-SA care. A pre and post-study questionnaire was implemented to assess participants' knowledge and comfort levels with subject material. Significance was set at p-value below 0.05. Results: Seventy-five GP-trainees attended the teaching session. Fifty-three completed the pre-teaching questionnaire and 50 completed the post-teaching questionnaire. Only a minority of trainees had received prior teaching in post-SA care as a medical student (13.2% n = 7) or as a postgraduate (28.3% n = 15). After the teaching session, there was a significant improvement trainees' comfort levels in explaining a forensic examination (p < 0.0001), referral pathways to a SATU (p < 0.0001) and offering advice in relation to emergency contraception (p < 0.0001). There was also a significant improvement in understanding HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) (p < 0.001) and forensic examination (FE) time-lines (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study reveals that GP-trainees have had limited exposure to teaching on post-SA care. Additionally, significant improvements were observed following a 1-h didactic teaching session on post-SA care. Trainees demonstrated increased understanding of SATU referral pathways, understanding of immediate medical care after SA, including PEP and FE timelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Female perpetrated sexual assault is under-represented in sexual assault research, and indeed possibly an underreported crime. The aim of this study is to address the lack of comprehensive data in relation to female perpetrated sexual assault attendances to the national sexual assault treatment unit network in the Republic of Ireland. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study analysing the attendances of female perpetrated sexual assault attendances at the six sexual assault treatment units in the Republic of Ireland between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022. Results: There were 95 attendances where the assailant (or one of the assailants) was identified as female. 62% (n=59) of these attendances involved a solo female assailant, 3.2% (n=3) where it was a multiple assailant assault with only female assailants and 34.7% (n=33) cases with male and female assailants. 74.7% (n=71) of victims identified as female, 24.2% (n=23) as male and 1.1% (n=1) as 'other'. The average age of attenders was 27.0 ± 10.7 years old. 54.7% (n=52) of attendances were within 72 hours of the assault. 52.6% (n=50) of these underwent a forensic examination. 30.5% (n=29) of incidents occurred in the assailant's home. 23% of assailants were described as a friend of the victim/survivor. 34.7% (n=33) sustained bodily injuries (genital and/or extra-genital). Conclusion: Female perpetrated sexual assault is a distinct entity when analysing attendances to the national sexual assault treatment unit network, representing just under 2% of all attendances. We have shown that those who experience these assaults are likely to be female, be assaulted by a single female perpetrator who is known to them and attend a sexual assault treatment unit within 72 hours of the assault. Awareness of the characteristics of these attendances will ultimately allow us to develop appropriate supports for these victims/survivors and to raise awareness of this type of crime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual violence is a prevalent issue in contemporary society requiring a robust forensic healthcare response. It is critically important that forensic examiners put clinical examination findings into an appropriate evidence-based context. The presence of genital injuries has been shown to increase the likelihood of successful criminal prosecution and report the crime. However, the reported rates of genital injury vary widely in published studies. Aims and objectives: We aim to critically evaluate and synthesize existing literature on the prevalence of genital injuries in post-pubertal females, examined following sexual violence, with a view to describing the prevalence and characteristics of genital injuries as well as the range of forensic practices employed. Methods: Three online databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) were systematically searched with key terms. Results: Of the 1224 studies screened, 141 full-text publications met the inclusion criteria. Reported injury prevalence rates varied widely. Details pertaining to forensic examinations included in each study, such as grade of the examiner, type of examination, location of examination, and time interval from assault to examination also varied widely. Injury prevalence was highest in studies where enhanced visualization techniques were utilized. Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrates that there is no universally agreed standard for documenting genital injuries in cases of sexual violence and highlights the need for standardized approaches and guidelines for assessing, documenting, and reporting these injuries. The review provides robust evidence to support a call for establishing consistent context, terminology, classification systems, and data collection methods to improve the comparability and reliability of future research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficulty visualizing bruises resulting from interpersonal violence, especially in individuals with dark skin, contributes to disparities in access to justice. The purpose of this analysis was to compare bruise visibility of detected injuries using white light versus alternate light sources (ALS). Visibility was assessed using the 5-point Bruise Visibility Scale (BVS) for white light and the ALS Visibility Scale (AVS) for ALS. Bruises were induced using controlled application of a paintball to the upper arm on 157 healthy adults across six skin color categories. Using a crossover design, the light source used first to assess the bruise (white light or ALS) was randomized. Each bruise was examined up to 21 times over 4 weeks using white light and 10 combinations of wavelengths (350 nanometer [nm] - 535 nm) and colored filters (yellow, orange, and red). Multilevel modeling was used to analyze the repeated measures data with a total 20,103 bruise assessments. Results revealed 415 nm with yellow filter resulted in an almost 0.5-point increase in BVS/AVS score across all skin colors (Estimate = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.43, 0.49; p < 0.001), a clinically significant improvement in ability to visualize bruises. Conversely, 515 nm (Estimate = -0.80; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.76; p < 0.001) and 535 nm (Estimate = -0.64, 95% CI: -0.67, -0.60; p < 0.001) with red filter resulted in more than 0.5-point decrease in BVS/AVS score. The use of ALS is supported by the data and results in improved bruise visibility during medical forensic examinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the main provisions of construction-technical and evaluation-construction expertise in criminal proceedings on appropriation, waste of property or possession of it through abuse of official position, which is accompanied by an analysis of statistical data of the Office of the General Prosecutor, the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as well as the results of a survey of investigators National Police. The types of special knowledge of court experts have been defined, which correspond to the expert specialties acquired by them and allow the involvement of relevant specialists during the construction and technical and evaluation and construction examinations in criminal proceedings on appropriation, waste of property or possession of it by abuse of official position. The tasks of these types of forensic examinations and a typical list of issues resolved by them are outlined, which allows to effectively conduct an investigation of a criminal offense provided for in Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, taking into account the available conclusions of experts and the possibility of using them in the evidence system. The specifics of the appointment of construction-technical and evaluation-construction expertise in the investigated criminal proceedings, which relate to the types of construction-technical documentation provided to the expert, as well as the need in specific cases of investigation of official embezzlement during road construction to appoint these expertises in a complex with others, are revealed. The procedural features of preparing and conducting an evaluation and construction examination in criminal proceedings initiated under Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which consist in the proper preparation of documents by the investigator regarding the inspection of the premises that will be evaluated during the examination, have been studied. The advantage of the combined use of special knowledge in the form of the appointment of complex forensic examinations during the investigation of appropriation, waste of property or possession of it through abuse of official position in the field of construction, namely construction-technical and evaluation-construction, road-technical, commodity expert examinations, has been proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article is devoted to the formulation of a stable conceptual and terminological apparatus of the procedure for initiating a forensic examination in criminal proceedings. The provisions of the current criminal procedural legislation regarding the procedures for initiating forensic examinations have been analyzed. It has been found that the specified procedures have at least nine different legally established names, which contradicts the requirements of the principle of legal certainty and may lead to confusion in practice. The artocle argues that the term “conducting an expertise” should refer exclusively to a forensic examination within the meaning of Art. 1 of the Law of Ukraine “On Forensic Expertise” and does not include the activity of the subjects of evidence regarding the initiation of such an examination or evaluation of the conclusion based on its results. The content of the wordings “appointment of expertise” and “order of expertise” has been considered in detail. It is emphasized that the first of them should be applied to the cases of initiation of the examination by the prosecution, the investigating judge and the court, while the second – to the procedures of initiation of the forensic examination by other entities on a contractual basis. The incorrectness of the wordings “engagement of an expert”, “assignment (for) conducting an examination” is indicated due to the traditional use of the words “engage” and “assign” in criminal proceedings in a different context. It is proposed to bring the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine on the initiation of forensic examinations into a single system of concepts, and to bring other legal acts into compliance with the specified Code.

Establishment and development of the economic security of the state requires taking effective measures to counteract and minimise the negative impact of criminal offences that encroach on public relations in the areas of economic activity, legal activities of business entities, professional activities of public administration entities, etc. Among such criminal offences, much attention is paid to those with signs of raiding, i.e. those related to the unlawful takeover and seizure of property, assets of enterprises, institutions, organisations, corporate rights to them and other resources, encroachment on the rights of owners or authorised persons of business entities of various forms of ownership, etc. An important role in proving and clarifying the circumstances to be proved in these criminal offences is played by expert opinions. Given the insufficient elaboration of the issues related to the appointment of forensic examinations in the course of investigation of criminal offences related to raiding, the purpose of the article is to define the range of forensic examinations which are appointed during the pre-trial investigation of the latter, and to clarify the specifics of their appointment. To achieve this goal, the article uses a range of general scientific methods, as well as some philosophical and special research methods, in particular, analysis, synthesis, systemic and structural method, forecasting method and dialectical method. Based on the results of the analysis of the investigative and judicial practice of investigating criminal offences related to raiding, it has been found that the typical expert examinations which are appointed during their investigation are forensic technical examination of a document, forensic economic examination, and forensic handwriting examination. It has been generalised that they are appointed in every second criminal proceeding of the type under study. The author identifies the factors which should be taken into account when deciding on the necessity and expediency of appointing a forensic examination during a pre-trial investigation. The article also identifies the mistakes made by the prosecution when appointing the specified types of qualified specialised investigations. Given the nature of raiders’ actions, the processes taking place in society and in the professional activities of individual participants in social relations, the author outlines the prospects for further scientific research.

The development of methods of research of human body and psyche influences the ways of detection and investigation of crimes by means of procedural and investigative actions, the essence of cognitive techniques of which is the intrusion into the human body and psyche. Such investigative and procedural actions include forensic medical, forensic psychiatric examination, expert certification, obtaining experimental samples from living persons for comparative research. It is obvious that these procedural and investigative actions should be regulated in a special way – with guarantees against possible harm t o human health during their conduct, as well as their validity and justification. Many problems of conducting these procedural investigative actions have not been solved in theory, legislation and practice. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the norms of criminal procedure and adjacent legislation of Russia, regulating the conduct of forensic examination, expert certification, obtaining samples for comparative research from living persons, as well as German criminal procedure legislation to identify regulatory problems and propose solutions. For this purpose, the methods of comparison, description, and interpretation are used. The study concludes that there is a need for additional regulation of the procedure of forensic medical, forensic psychiatric examination, expert certification, obtaining samples for comparative research, related to the intrusion into the human body and psyche, depending on the gravity of the charge (the principle of proportionality), procedural status of the person against whom these procedural and investigative actions are carried out. The acquisition, preservation and use of human genetic code material should be particularly regulated.

The article considers the experience of researching the works of fine art in situations of recourse to specialists in the field of forensic portrait examinations when deciding on the attribution of works in cases when art historians do not solve these issues. The study of the physical features of the depicted persons using the method of portrait identification allows to establish the identity of the characters on the painting. The author also demonstrates the specifics of the methodology of such studies.

The article describes the possibilities of applying artificial intelligence systems used in a number of tasks arising in the course of law enforcement activities and also beyond them. The author gives examples of solving identification, prediction, and detection problems that are successfully solved using such systems. Based on the analysis of the principles of the construction and functioning of the neural network, which forms the basis of artificial intelligence, as an abstract model created to solve a specific problem, the capabilities of neural networks as a whole are revealed, and thus the features of working with them are demonstrated. The procedure and principles of operation of convolutional neural networks are described and, using their example, the results that can be achieved during forensic handwriting and technical forensic examinations of documents, as well as studies conducted within the framework of forensic expert activities, in particular, the identification of signs of technical forgery of documents (installation, erasure, additions, finishing) are indicated, establishing the facts of the execution of several signatures or handwritten records by one or different performers, establishing the original content of the records, fragments of which have been partially lost or distorted. The prospects and significance of convolutional neural networks are revealed, the use of which in the expert research process makes it possible to increase the scientific validity and objectivity of the conclusions of forensic examination and, thereby, creates prerequisites for increasing its role in proving facts of importance.

The essence of the forensic activities is the research performed by a knowledgeable person. The basis for such research is his process of thinking. The article addresses the main forms of thinking which are involved in the professional training of an expert and his subsequent practice: analytical, synthesizing, logical, theoretical, empirical, intuitive irrational, rational and comprehension. The application of various forms of thinking is analyzed using examples from the work of forensic construction experts.The author demonstrates that a forensic expert should have a clear idea of how to consciously organize his ideas related to professional activity applying some self-control. This is necessary to ensure a clear structure and a strict, logically verified sequence of mental operations performed during research and within the framework of forensic activities. Higher level thinking paves a shorter and more reliable path to understanding the cognitive problems an expert is facing.

Today, there are changes in the criminal and criminal procedural legislation of Ukraine, forensic tactics and methods of investigating crimes are developing, new technical means and technologies are emerging that are useful in conducting investigative (detective) and covert investigative (detective) actions. One of these technologies is polygraph examinations using a special device designed to simultaneously record breathing, blood pressure, biocurrents of the brain, heart, muscles and other physiological processes, which in turn allows to determine the reliability of a person's testimony. The article examines the tactical and legal problems of using a polygraph in criminal proceedings, emphasises the absence of a streamlined solution at the legislative level which would regulate the procedure for using a polygraph, and notes the existing problems of compliance of popular polygraph models with the requirements of the State Standards of Ukraine. The article also analyses the case law on the issues of admitting the results of polygraph examination as evidence. It is determined that today there are two options for judges' attitudes to the results of polygraph use in general and to the conclusions of forensic psychophysiological examination using a polygraph in particular. The former includes court decisions which recognise the use of a polygraph as a source of evidence, and the latter includes decisions where the court does not support the use of this device and does not recognise it as evidence. The study provides a comparative analysis of the practice of using a polygraph in other countries. It is established that in developed countries there is also no single, unambiguous approach to the procedure for using a polygraph. The article identifies the need to improve the legislation on the use of polygraph in the activities of law enforcement agencies of Ukraine and to develop uniform standards for the training of polygraph examiners and methods of using polygraph. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the European Union and abroad, the DCS has already been deployed in large numbers in both the government and the civil industry, coupling or completely replacing the traditional pen & paper signature. The vast adaptation of this new technology inevitably leads to the necessity of its forensic (and legal) approach, to secure its role as a “signature”, i.e. as a means of determining authenticity. This presentation will discuss the forensic suitability of the DCS, it will introduce instances of legalization of such deployments and finally will discuss the necessary requirements of a DCS deployment as all electronic handwritten signatures are not created equal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rape has a high prevalence in South Africa. The collection of credible and valid forensic evidence is a key legal factor that impacts case trial outcomes. Victim behaviour around the time of the rape can impact the collection and the integrity of forensic evidence, and can have a direct effect on case progression and conviction. Despite the importance of victim behaviour, few studies have been done on the role of victims in preserving forensic evidence. This article discusses how common personal hygiene practices undertaken by rape victims after being raped can impact the quality and validity of forensic evidence. This investigation was done with the aim of elucidating the role of victims in preserving forensic evidence post rape. Methods: This was a descriptive, retrospective clinical audit of all rape victims managed at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital forensic unit in South Africa from 01 January 2020 to 31 March 2022. Results: A total of 192 rape cases over the study period were included in this review. The median age of rape victims was 20 years (minimum 2 years; maximum 76 years). The majority (n = 178; 92.7%) of the victims were female. About 44.8% (n = 86) of the victims reported that they had urinated post-rape and prior to forensic examination, 20.8% (n = 40) had changed their clothing, 8.3% (n = 16) had showered, 6.8% (n = 13) had bathed, 4.2% (n = 8) had douched, and only 1.0% (n = 2) had defecated. Only 44 (22.9%) of the victims reported to have ingested alcohol or spiked drinks before the rape. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some rape victims engaged in personal hygiene practices that could militate against forensic evidence preservation. This finding, therefore, indicates the need for public awareness about ways to preserve evidence to the greatest extent possible after an incident of rape. Contribution: We provide simple guidelines for victims on the preservation of forensic evidence following rape and before detailed forensic medical examination and evidence collection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gunshot wounds always occupy one of the leading places in the structure of violent mortality, however, there is not enough information in the specialised literature that highlights the distinct individual characteristics of projectiles (bullets) that were removed from a biological object and became the instrument of death, and when they ricochet (collide with an obstacle) after a series of experimental shots. Aim: To determine the possibility of causing a fatal bullet injury to the head after the ricochet of a projectile from the road surface, taking into account the analysis of the morphological characteristics of experimentally fired bullets. Material and methods. The archival material of the SSI «Main Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine» («Expert conclusion») was used. The objects of the study were: bones of the skull of the victim gr. K, gunshot wounds on the head (entrance, exit hole, wound channel), as well as bullets up to 9 mm cartridges of the «Makarov» pistol, namely 1) one bullet removed from the cranial cavity after an autopsy and 2) 6 bullets removed after an experimental series of shots into the road surface. Their characteristics were studied using standard methods generally accepted in forensic medicine and standard methods of variational statistics. Results. During arrest by a law enforcement officer, the man received a fatal gunshot wound to the head with a 9 mm bullet. There was an entrance hole in the occipital bone, a wound channel in the cranial cavity at an angle of approximately 130° to the midline of the body, and a depressed fracture of the frontal bone. A series of experimental shots with 9mm bullets revealed the remains (fragments) of the asphalt coating and their marked deformation, which was not the case with the bullet that caused the fatal wound. Ballistic analysis showed that the angle of movement of the bullet in the cranial cavity was 30°. Conclusion. According to the circumstances contained in the criminal case materials and established during the forensic examination, the bullet wound could not have been caused by the ricochet of the bullet from the asphalt pavement, since no remains (fragments) of the obstacle with which the bullet collided were found, and its deformation does not correspond to the results of the forensic shooting and ballistic examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors conducted a literature review of the current state of immunohistochemical diagnostics in determining the durability and time of occurrence of mechanical damage in forensic medical practice. Problems in the selection of immunohistochemical markers and the need to create immunohistochemical panels for qualitative research and definitive results were revealed. The authors recommend further scientific and practical research to improve knowledge and methods that should be implemented for routine research in forensic medical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]