[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.