[The morphofunctional features of the heart associated with acute morphine poisoning during the period of chronic drug intoxication].

The objective of the present study was to improve forensic medical diagnostics of the cases of death associated with morphine poisoning based on the investigation into the biochemical changes in blood and pericardial fluid as well as morphological changes in the myocardial structures. The studies were carried out with the use of thin-layer chromatography, colorimetric and morphological methods including hematoxylin and eosin, Lee's methylene blue, and van Gieson's picrofuscin staining. These techniques were supplemented by light and polarization microscopy.

[Forensic medical epidemiological characteristic of fatal narcotic substance intoxication in the Almaty region, Republic of Kazakhstan].

The present study has revealed a tendency toward a decrease in the frequency of cases of fatal outcomes of drug intoxication throughout the Almaty region during the 5 year period from 2007 till 2011 years. It is concluded that this positive trend is attributable to the improved quality of preventive measures undertaken by public healthcare services and law enforcement authorities in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

[Changes in the biochemical, chemical and toxicological characteristics of pericardial fluid in the case of fatal narcotic intoxication].

This article describes the biochemical and chemical-toxicological investigations into the properties of the pericardial fluid designed to improve the effectiveness of forensic medical examination of the cases of fatal drug poisoning. The objectives of the study were the detection and determination of the type of narcotic substances in the pericardial fluid, evaluation of the quantitative changes in enzyme activities (AST, ALT and CPK) in the pericardial fluid, and the development of the criteria for the forensic medical diagnostics of fatal drug poisoning. The materials used in the study were the pericardial fluid and blood taken during forensic medical examination of 247 corpses of men (87.

[The updated techniques for the detection of diatomic plankters in the corpse after death by drowning].

The authors report investigations carried out with a view to improving the method for the detection of diatomic plankters for the purpose of forensic medical expertise of death by drowning. The methods for studying diatomic plankton present in blood, pericardial fluid, and contents of the sphenoid bone sinus are proposed to be employed for the purpose of differential diagnostics of death by drowning. Specific approaches to sampling cadaveric materials, their preparation and examination by dark field and phase contrast microscopy are described.