[Combination of absorption-elution and gel-filtration methods for group identification of blood spot specimens].

It is proposed to combine the traditional method of microscopic assessment of the results of absorption-elution reaction and the gel-filtration technique with the use of the ScanGel immunohematology system (Bio-Rad Laboratories, USA) in blood grouping tests. The study was designed to select monoclonal antibodies suitable for the purpose and optimize conditions of gel filtration. It is concluded that the combined method allows for rapid differential grouping of the large number of blood spots, promotes objectivization of assay results, and lightens the work of the operator carrying out serial analyses.

[The role of carrier-object in investigations of cigar-butts].

A comprehensive series of experiments was undertaken to find the reasons why the cigar-butt stuff, removed from accident places for investigation at forensic-biological laboratories, affects different sera. A number of such reasons were established. Methods are suggested to eliminate the cigar-butt impact with the aim of ensuring the most accurate results while determining the group adherence of saliva on the cigar-butts.

[Determination of group affiliation of isolated spermatozoa after separation from squamous epithelium cells].

Outlined in the paper are outlooks for determining a group affiliation of sperm in traces, left in material evidence, within forensic biological expertise. A technique is suggested to separate the spermatozoids from the vaginal epithelium cells--it has been used up to now in genetics alone. The method involves the available reagents and does not need any extra training.

[Determination of hair group by preserved hair cell bulbs].

Difficulties appearing in determining hair group were the reason for conducting this research for the purpose of finding additional possibilities to solve the mentioned problem. It was established that the preliminary cell coloring, related with determination of hair sex, does not influence a consequent detection of antigens. Methods or the fixation of material were selected.

[Detection of ABO and GM system antigens in the teeth].

A series of experiments using agglutination inhibition reaction and material extraction in PBS with pH 7.2 (phosphate-buffer-sedin) has been made to detect antigens of the GM system in the teeth. Parameters of the test material/serum ratio are proposed.

[New possibilities of detecting blood and seminal fluid in traces on material evidence using Fluorat-02-3M analyzer].

Fluorat-02-3M liquid analyzer essentially extends the range of hemoglobin measurements, increasing its concentration in the studied extract from 0.1 to 100 micrograms in a 100 microliters sample (the lower threshold concentration remains unchanged: 0.005 in a 100-microliters sample) in detection of the blood in stains on material evidence pieces by fluorescent hemotest.

[Status and prospects of developing the Forensic Medical Service in the Russian Federation].

Forensic medical service is constantly updated, which is confirmed by introduction of new modern methods, such as detection of blood or semen with test strips, new modifications of methods for handling bone material, differentiation of blood of the same group within ABO system, identification of blood groups in mixed stains of blood of humans and some animals, use of gel plates, etc. Methodological and information letters have been issued and field seminars are regularly carried for upgrading expert biologists. The overwhelming majority of expert biologists have received specialized education and topical upgrading.

[Identification of the group affiliation of bone fragments].

Bone fragments in various states were studied in terms from 7 days to 6 years postmortem. About 10 modifications of the adsorption-elution method were used. More than 70 experiments were performed.

[The use of the obti test for determining the presence and type of blood in stains].

A method for simultaneous detection and identification of the blood in stains on material evidence has been tried. Previously these two procedures were carried out in succession and took 2 days, while the new method takes 2-10 min. The method is highly sensitive and specific.

[The status of the forensic biological service in the Russian Federation in 1997].

The main parameters of the activities of forensic biological departments are analyzed for the year 1997. The staff, number of experts, number of expert evaluations and objects of examination, and work load per staff expert are presented. Shortcomings in the activities of departments are enumerated and recommendations for improving the quality of expert evaluations are offered.

[The incidence of finding ABO system antigens in the population of the Russian Federation].

A total of 48,744 blood specimens collected in various regions of the Russian Federation are analyzed. There is no correlation between the incidence of this or that AB0 blood group and geographic position of a region. Blood group A is the most prevalent.

[The detection of ABO system antigens in bone, nail and tooth fragments].

Fragments of the bones, nails, and teeth were examined in 12 forensic biological departments of bureaus for forensic medical expert evaluation of the Russian Federation. A total of 790 experiments were carried out with 145 bones, 5 teeth, and nails from 12 cadavers. In the overwhelming majority of cases the experiments were carried out with control investigations of blood, hair, salivary, and sweat samples.

[The restrictase analysis of human DNA as a method for determining genetic sex in forensic biological expertise].

In this article phenomena related to sex heteromorphism of restrictase hydrolysates of DNA, isolated from objects of expert analysis was recommended for use. The performed investigations allow one to work out the system of discriminating sex of biological objects, based on restrictase analysis of human DNA and on registration of sex-specific restrictase fragments. Possibilities of method and its value for gene-identification expertise were illustrated using certain cases from expert practice.

[The use of genomic "dactyloscopy" for the diagnosis of monozygotic twins].

Possibilities of gene identification expertise for the solution of problem on mono- or dizygotic origin of twins were demonstrated. It was shown that DNA printing method makes it possible to differentiate mono- and dizygotic twins in complicated cases.

[The primary investigation of material evidence and the evaluation of its suitability for expert biological identification by genomic "dactyloscopy"].

Use of DNA "fingerprinting" method for biological analysis of material evidences exhibit new potentials for making concrete expert conclusions. But such expertise is time consuming and difficult to perform that's why it is important to evaluate fitness of expert material for DNA fingerprinting at early stages of object investigation. Method of preliminary treatment of objects sent for DNA fingerprint expertise in case of sexual assault is suggested and tested.

[Genomic "dactyloscopy" in the expertise of disputed paternity and the determination of biological relationship].

Genome "dactyloscopy" (DNA fingerprinting) is a principally new way of personal identification based on analysis of human genetic material (DNA); the difference in DNA structure of different subjects is the scientific basis of this method. This ensures opportunity to estimate biological relationship of persons positively. The authors were the first to demonstrate using certain expert material the adequacy and potentials of DNA fingerprinting by M 13 probe for medicolegal expert practice in most complicated cases of relationship determination requiring positive identification of paternity and maternity.

[Genomic "dactyloscopy" with the use of bacteriophage M13 as a DNA probe (the expertise of material evidence and personal identification)].

In this article the authors give a scientific evaluation of genetic dactyloscopy method in which the sites of human chromosomal DNA, possessing structural polymorphism, act as genetic markers. Technology of genome "dactyloscopy" including both the series of standard conventional methods and new methods is presented. The method is highly sensitive and requires small amounts of material for investigation.