Forensic Examination Research Articles

CAR WEIGHT AS A FUNDAMENTAL CRITERION IN THE WORK OF A FORENSIC EXPERT. A PRACTICAL VIEW

Forensic medical examination of injuries in traffic accidents is very important, because these cases remain one of the main causes of mortality among the working-age population. Determining the mechanisms and circumstances of injury, especially in the absence of witnesses or video recording of the accident, requires the use of new methods of analysis. The mass of the vehicle, which directly affects the intensity and nature of the injuries received, is an important but insufficiently studied criterion, justifying the need to improve approaches to forensic medical research in this area. The aim of the study: to analyze injuries sustained by drivers and passengers as a result of frontal collisions with incomplete overlap in class B vehicles, and to assess the impact of vehicle mass on the spectrum and nature of injuries sustained. Material and methods. The object of the study was 179 “Acts of forensic medical examination of corpses” and “Expert conclusions” regarding traffic accidents accompanied by injury and death of people. The study used anthropometric, morphometric, photographic, criminalistic and statistical methods of analysis. The description of injuries was carried out in accordance with the Abbreviated Injury Scale standards, taking into account the anatomical areas of injury. Results. The analysis showed that with the right incomplete overlap, the number of injuries was slightly higher compared to the left. The total number of injuries among drivers was 194 cases, which is more than among passengers — 166 cases. The most common injuries were fractures of the lower extremities, chest, and soft tissue injuries. This confirms the dependence of the nature of injuries on the location of the victims in the car, the direction of the collision, and the mass of the car. Conclusions. The mass of the vehicle and its class have a significant impact on the spectrum and severity of injuries resulting from traffic accidents. Therefore, the introduction of vehicle mass analysis as a mandatory parameter in forensic medical examinations will contribute to increasing the accuracy of determining injury mechanisms.

FORENSIC-MEDICAL ANALYSIS OF GUNSHOT INJURIES ACCORDING TO EXPERT CASES

One of the important aspects of war crimes is murders caused by firearms, which necessitates a comprehensive forensic analysis of such injuries. The aim of the study. To conduct a comprehensive forensic assessment of expert cases with gunshot injuries, involving computer modeling techniques, appropriate statistical tools with the establishment of correlations between the parameters under study. Materials and methods. As research materials, we collected, analyzed and processed 45 expert cases with gunshot injuries that were in the work of the departments of forensic medical examination of corpses and departments of forensic medical criminalistic of regional bureaus of forensic medical examination of various regions of Ukraine in the period from 2020 to 2024. Forensic medical analysis of the collected cases was carried out using morphometric methods, computer modeling, descriptive statistics methods, comparative analysis and establishing correlations. Results. The main number of injured men falls on the 1st and 2nd periods of mature (80%) and youthful (17.8%) age. The majority of fatal injuries (68.9%) were caused by shots from firearms to the head; of all gunshot wounds, 64.4% were single, and 88.9% were penetrating and in the vast majority of cases (69.0%) were caused by an unidentified weapon. The average length of the wound channel in the body of the victims according to forensic medical examinations was 21.5±0.61 cm. The dimensions of the wound channel in its middle part are twice as large as those in its initial part and 1.6 times larger than those in its final part, and the dimensions of the initial gunshot wounds are on average three times larger than those in the input ones. Conclusions. An increase in the caliber of the bullet directly affects the increase in the size of the tissue defect, the width of the deposition ring, and the diameters of the middle and final parts of the wound channel. At the same time, the increase in bullet mass directly affects the increase in the diameter of the entrance wound, tissue defect, width of the deposition ring, diameters of the wound channel in its initial, middle and final parts.

RESTORATION OF THE PAPILLARY PATTERN OF THE HANDS OF A MUMMIFIED CORPSE FOR FURTHER FINGERPRINTING AND IDENTIFICATION

Identification of a person by papillary patterns is one of the key methods in forensic and criminalistic practice due to the uniqueness and stability of papillary patterns, which do not change during life under the influence of external factors. However, after death, especially with prolonged exposure to the external environment, soft tissues undergo putrefactive changes, mummification or other postmortem transformations, which significantly complicates or makes impossible the procedure of fingerprint identification. Purpose of the study. To analyze and create modern methods for restoring papillary patterns on the fingers of putrefactively changed and mummified corpses, in particular chemical, mechanical and digital technologies. Materials and methods. During the forensic examination of a corpse in a state of late cadaveric changes in the form of mummification and skeletonization, both hands of the corpse were cut off at the level of the radiocarpal joints. After that, the 2nd and 4th fingers of the left hand were cut off at the level of the interphalangeal joints. The 2nd finger of the left hand was placed in Ratnevsky's solution No. 2; the 4th finger of the left hand was placed in the MF24 solution. After the fingers were in the corresponding solutions, they were removed, examined under a trinocular stereomicroscope "RF4-6565pro" and fingerprints were obtained using the classical method. Research results. It was found that after 5 days of exposure to Ratnevsky's solution No. 2, the mummified 2nd finger of the left hand regained its volume, most of the folds straightened, the epidermis completely exfoliated, and the dermis acquired a pale yellow color. To straighten the remaining folds, the finger was pricked with a 50% aqueous solution of glycerin according to the Swenson and Wendel method. During stereomicroscopic examination, the papillary pattern is poorly distinguished due to the flattening of its ridges and furrows. At the same time, the resulting print has poor clarity, low contrast, and there is partially no clear contact in several areas. After 12 hours in the MF24 solution, the mummified 4th finger of the left hand significantly recovered its volume, the soft tissues regained their natural elasticity and firmness, the epidermis was completely exfoliated, the dermis became pale brown, and the residual folds were easily straightened. The resulting print looks structured with clearly visible details, and the mutual arrangement of the details of the pattern structure is preserved over the entire area of the print. An algorithm for restoring mummified fingers of the hands has been developed for further dactyloscopy and comparative research. When comparing the results of the exposure of the severed first, second and fourth fingers of the left hand in the above-described solutions, the soap solution proved to be unsuitable in the conditions of the need for prompt identification of the bodies of servicemen due to the required long exposure time. In turn, the exposure of the mummified severed second finger of the left hand in Ratnevsky solution No. 2 significantly reduced the required exposure time compared to the soap solution, but did not ensure prompt restoration of the papillary pattern. The MF24 solution allows you to reduce the required time for pattern restoration to 12 hours, which significantly speeds up the identification process. The print of the restored fourth finger of the left hand is of higher quality due to a clearer image of the papillary pattern, its contrast and completeness. Conclusions. The described methods for restoring papillary patterns using Ratnevsky solution No. 2 and MF24 solution are generally available, since they do not require expensive chemical compounds and special technical equipment for implementation. This makes them economical and possible for use in all regional forensic medical examination bureaus, regardless of material and technical support.

220 YEARS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FORENSIC MEDICINE, MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE NAMED AFTER HONOURED PROFESSOR M.S. BOKARIUS KHARKIV NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

The article is dedicated to the 220th anniversary of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Medical Law named after Honored Professor M.S. Bokarius of Kharkiv National Medical University – one of the oldest and most influential scientific and educational institutions in the field of forensic medicine in Ukraine. It highlights the history of the department's establishment since its founding in 1804, emphasizing the contributions of distinguished scientists and department heads to its development. The article describes the achievements of each stage of the department's activities, including the organization of the first anatomical theater, creation of educational materials, development of innovative methods in forensic medical examinations, identification of individuals, toxicology, and criminalistics. Special attention is given to the contributions of Professor M.S. Bokarius, who laid the foundations of modern Ukrainian forensic expertise, and his successors, who expanded and deepened research in forensic medical science. The article also highlights the significance of the department as a base for training highly qualified specialists, organizing scientific and practical conferences, creating educational materials, and establishing the Museum of the Department's History.

NEW MORPHOLOGICAL SIGNS OF PASSENGER CAR DRIVER’ AND PASSENGERS’ BODILY INJURIES IN CASE OF MODERN SAFETY EQUIPMENT USE

The article examines the impact of modern automobile safety features on injuries sustained by drivers and passengers during traffic accidents. Cases of injuries were analyzed, and the nature of damages caused by traditional and modern safety systems was studied. It was found that modern safety features significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries, although they can themselves cause bodily harm. The study highlights the prospects for further research into the effects of advanced safety systems, such as active headrests and special pedal bracket mechanisms. The aim of the study is to increase the efficacy of forensic medical examinations of persons injured as a result of a road accident inside passenger car compartment. Materials and methods. 247 cases of trauma in the driver’s and passengers’ compartments of cars equipped with modern safety features (without fatal outcomes) were studied based on archival materials of the Odessa Regional Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination for the years 2014-2024. The morphology of bodily injuries in drivers and passengers was analyzed. Results. In a comparative study of both the traditional and new safety equipment impact on passenger car driver and passengers morphological signs of bodily injuries in a road accident it was found that current means of driver and passengers protection allow to reduce significantly the risk of severe, including fatal, bodily injuries in cases of road accidents. It was proved that safety steering column can cause serious injuries, up to the fractures occurrence. The remaining means of protection do not lead to serious injuries formation; their effect causes bruises, abrasions and superficial wounds formation. Conclusions. The current means of driver and passengers protection inside the car cabin allow to reduce significantly the risk of serious, including fatal, bodily injuries in cases of road accidents. New means of protection provide both driver and passengers greater safety inside the car cabin from injury. Prospects for furthers researches we suppose are the probable protective influence investigation of a special (breakable) pedal assembly bracket and an active headrest on driver and passenger inside the car in case of a road accident.

TOPOGRAPHIC AND ANATOMICAL RELATIONS OF NERVES AND ARTERIES IN THE THENAR MUSCLES

The hand has a high functional significance, and it is important to note that today, especially during military operations, it is often subject to injuries. In addition, hand injuries are common both at work and in everyday life. The success of reconstructive operations and restoration of motor functions of the hand largely depends on the extent to which it is possible to preserve the innervation and normal blood supply of the muscles, which is crucial for further rehabilitation and return to normal functioning. Objective of the research. To establish the topographical-anatomical relationships of nerves and arteries in the thenar muscles of human fetuses. Material and methods. Clarification of the intramuscular distribution of nerves and arteries in the muscles of the thenar eminence was carried out on 32 preparations of the hand of human fetuses of 81.0-375.0 mm parietococcygeal length (PCL) using macromicroscopic preparation, injection vessels, and morphometry without external signs of anatomical deviations or congenital malformations of the skeleton, fascial-muscular and vascular-nervous structures of the upper limbs. The study was conducted in accordance with the basic bioethical provisions of the Convention of the Council of Europe on Human Rights and Biomedicine (4 April 1997), the Declaration of Helsinki of the World Medical Association on the ethical principles for scientific medical research involving human subjects (1964 - 2013). ), Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 690 of 23.09.2009, and taking into account the Methodological Recommendations of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine "Procedure for Removal of Biological Objects from Deceased Persons Whose Bodies are Subject to Forensic and Pathological Examination for Scientific Purposes" (2018). The Commission on Biomedical Ethics of the Bukovinian State Medical University (Protocol No. 7 dated 16.05.2024) did not find any violations of moral and legal norms in the conduct of research. The research is a fragment of the planned comprehensive topic of the Department of Anatomy, Clinical Anatomy and Operative Surgery and the Department of Human Anatomy named after M.H. Turkevich Bukovinian State Medical University “Regularity of gender-age structure and topographic-anatomical transformations of organs and structures of the body at the pre-and postnatal stages of ontogenesis. Peculiarities of perinatal anatomy and embryotopography” state registration No. 0120U101571). Results. The research made it possible to establish that in human fetuses, each thenar muscle has a certain source of innervation and blood supply, a certain gate located in the thenar muscles in their proximal third. Flexor pollicis brevis in most fetuses has double innervation – from the median nerve and the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. Abductor pollicis, most often receives innervation from one source – the lateral branch of the median nerve, and very rarely has an additional source – from the superficial branch of the radial nerve. Adductor pollicis is mainly innervated by 1-2 nerve trunks from the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. In 3 cases, this muscle had an additional source of innervation in the form of a thin branch from the median nerve. Conclusion. In human fetuses, each thenar eminence muscle has a specific source of innervation and blood supply; some thenar muscles are characterized by double innervation. There are usually several sources of blood supply; they can be divided into main – permanent and additional – non-permanent. The entry gates of nerves and arteries into the thenar muscles are located in their proximal third. In the flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis, and adductor pollicis, the portals of nerves and arteries do not coincide. In the extensor pollicis muscles, except the flexor pollicis brevis muscle, the direction of the intramuscular nerves does not coincide with the direction of the intramuscular arteries. In the thenar muscles, large-diameter arteries lie deeper than the nerves. In practical work, the possibility of different innervation options for the thenar muscles should be taken into account.

PECULIARITIES OF THE REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF CASES OF MECHANICAL ASPHYXIA DUE TO HANGING IN UKRAINE

The annual number of people who died due to suicide exceeds 720,000 people and ranks third among the leading causes of death of people aged 15-29 years, while, according to WHO data, Ukraine ranks among the second ten leaders among countries in the suicide rating. Objective. Study of the geographical distribution of the frequency of cases of mechanical asphyxia by hanging in different regions of Ukraine. Methods. In the course of the research, an analysis of the number of cases of death due to mechanical asphyxiation by hanging in different regions of Ukraine based on the study of the annual reports of forensic medical examination institutions in Ukraine, was carried out. Results. In the course of the study, data were obtained that indicated certain regularities in the number of cases of death from mechanical asphyxiation due to hanging, depending on the geographical distribution in regions. The lowest rates of hanging deaths per 100,000 population were determined in the western regions of our country, as well as in the city of Kyiv. On the other hand, in the north-eastern, as well as part of the southern and central regions, there was a significant excess of the indicated indicator in comparison with the average value. Conclusion. In the course of the conducted research, the peculiarities of the regional distribution of cases of mechanical asphyxia due to per 100,000 population were studied. The presence of certain regularities in the number of cases of death from mechanical asphyxiation due to hanging, depending on the geographical distribution in individual regions, was established. Rural regions with economic difficulties, such as Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kherson, have higher suicide rates, likely due to low incomes and high unemployment, which exacerbate social stress. However, the reasons for the unevenness of hanging cases in different regions require further study and may include not only such factors as the level of employment, quality of life and social well-being of the population, but also labor migration processes, cultural and religious beliefs, etc.

DESIRE FOR DEATH: FORENSIC EVALUATION OF A CRIME CASE SUICIDE WITH THE USE OF A PNEUMATIC WEAPON, A SHARP OBJECT AND MEDICINES

Suicide is a fairly common cause of premature death, especially with the use of firearms or air weapons. Currently, in Ukraine, there are pneumatic weapons with a caliber of no more than 4.5 cm in free circulation. This actually enables its free acquisition and use by the population. Fatal injuries from modern pneumatic weapons, although not as often as from firearms, are encountered in the practice of forensic medical experts. Results. The case demonstrates different approaches to ending life by suicide. Namely, taking drugs for the purpose of suicide, inflicting cut injuries on the upper limbs and causing a gunshot wound to the chest. Conclusions. The presented case demonstrates that the cause of death was a pneumatic gunshot, bullet, penetrating, blind wound to the chest on the left side with a through injury to the heart, as well as cut injuries of the upper limbs and during forensic toxicological examination of internal organs, "Ibuprofen" was found.

PAGES OF THE HISTORY OF FORENSIC MEDICINE IN UKRAINE: PROFESSIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY OF VOLODYMYR SERADSKYI AS THE FOUNDER AND HEAD OF THE INSTITUTION OF FORENSIC MEDICINE OF GALICIA

Seradsky Volodymyr Ivan (pol: SIERADZKI Wlodzimierz Jan, October 22, 1870, Wieliczka near Krakow, Poland - July 4, 1941, Lviv, Ukraine) - Polish physician, forensic doctor, professor and head of the Department of Forensic Medicine, Dean of Medical Faculty, Rector of Lviv University, co-author of a well-known in the international scientific community test for carboxyhemoglobin in the blood, President of the Lviv Medical Society, member of the German Society of Forensic Medicine, German Criminological Society, member of the International Academy of Forensic and Public Medicine, member of the Galician Society - Society of Physicians of Poland, honorary member of the Vilnius Society of Physicians, awarded the Cross of the Commander of the Order of the Polish Renaissance, the Cavalry Cross of the Order of the French Legion and the medal "10th anniversary of independence". According to the ministerial rescript of September 21, 1898, he became the head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at the Medical Department of Lviv University, at that time he had the title of associate professor. From the 1898-1899 academic year he began teaching forensic medicine, giving lectures on forensic psychopathology, from the 1899-1900 academic year he organized practical classes with students. He gave the first lecture for medical students on "Relations of forensic medicine with other medical sciences" on November 11, 1898, the first section of the corpse was held on June 26, 1899 (lectures were given for five hours a year, and practical classes were held two hours a week for fourth- and fifth-year students according to the Ministry of Education (1899). From the academic year 1900-1901 he began teaching forensic medicine for law students in the third year of study at Lviv University. Beginning in 1905, for more than three decades he headed the Department of Forensic Medicine of Lviv Medical University, and in 1939-41 - the Department of Forensic Medicine of Lviv Medical Institute. In 1899, V. Seradsky became an "extraordinary" professor of forensic medicine at the Faculty of Law and medical propaedeutics at the medical school, and five years later he received the title of "ordinary" professor. The main areas of research were psychopathology and its use in forensic medicine, the study of mechanisms of death by suffocation, postmortem changes in the form of fat wax, the study of blood subgroups, the study of hemolysins, cytotoxins, precipitins, forensic examination of infant death, criminal anthropology, history and development of medicine. He held universal positions: dean (1908-09, 1919-20), deputy dean (1909-10, 1921-22) of the Medical University, delegate of the Academic Senate (1913-14, 1914-15), part-time - head of the Department of Pathological Anatomy , General and Experimental Pathology (1915), Rector (1924-25), Vice-Rector (1926-27) of Lviv University Jan Kazimir.

Application of expert opinion in investigation and proof of criminal offences against justice

The article substantiates the thesis that an expert opinion is one of the sources of proof in criminal offences against justice. It is established that the possibilities of expert research in this category of cases are mainly aimed at proving certain circumstances which occurred in the past, and the confirmation of which is a sufficient basis for establishing the fact that a person encroaches on the normal (lawful) activities of justice authorities and obstructs the conduct of legal proceedings, i.e., expert tasks are mainly aimed at investigating the method of unlawful conduct. Forensic examinations aimed at identifying the perpetrator are atypical in their investigation, since in most cases the identity of the latter is reliably known. Based on the generalisation of case law materials, the author determines that for this category of cases, it is typical to appoint the following examinations: forensic psychiatric examination, handwriting examination, technical examination of a document, etc. The author emphasises that law enforcement practice needs to be improved in the context of developing unified approaches to the grounds sufficient for a person to undergo a forensic psychiatric examination. Since the existing legislative approach does not define such grounds in detail, and given the presumption of mental health, the task of ensuring their unambiguous interpretation in law enforcement practice is urgent. In addition, it is determined that typical examinations also include handwriting examination, the objects of which are primarily protocols of procedural actions, official documents containing forged signatures or false text. Another typical method used in the investigation of criminal offences against justice is the technical examination of a document, which is aimed at confirming/refuting the fact of its forgery. The author believes that further research on the issues raised should be aimed at identifying typical mistakes made by the inquiry and investigation authorities which affect the ability to solve expert tasks in this category of criminal offences.

Classification and determination of the tobacco raw materials authenticity during the forensic examination

The scientific article examines the peculiarities of classification (botanical, geographical, commodity, international); requirements for the quality of tobacco raw materials and their safety for human health and life, as well as requirements for packaging and labelling in order to improve the examination of tobacco raw materials. Methodological recommendations for determining the authenticity of tobacco raw materials have been developed, which can be used in practical work by customs officers when conducting an examination of goods of group 24 of the Ukrainian Classifier of Goods for Foreign Economic Activity. The identification tasks of the commodity expertise of tobacco raw materials (identification of the type of tobacco, establishment of the grade, quality control, determination of the degree of processing, analysis of aroma and taste) are defined. Modern methods of analysis are presented, in particular, instrumental methods used to establish quality and safety indicators (visual inspection, microscopic analysis, chemical analysis, physicochemical methods, gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, spectral analysis). These methods allow to examine tobacco raw materials at the molecular, chemical and morphological levels to obtain objective information about its quality, safety and other characteristics that may be important in litigation. The article provides a systematisation of information on the characteristic defects of tobacco raw materials, namely: mould, rot, drying, cracking, deformation (these defects may arise as a result of various factors, such as climatic conditions, methods of growing, storing and processing of tobacco raw materials). Defects that are characteristic of low-quality products with signs of spoilage: impurities and contamination, mould, rot, drying out, cracking. The mechanism for conducting a forensic examination of tobacco raw materials with the aim of objective assessment of quality, safety and other characteristics is described.

Evidence of occupational exposure: workplace discrimination based on ATR-FTIR analysis of fingernail clippings for forensic applications

For the first time, an attempt was made to differentiate the occupation of male workers from their fingernail clippings (80 samples aged between 20 to 60 years). ATR-FTIR spectroscopy coupled with statistical algorithms (PCA & PLS-DA) was utilized for characterization and discrimination purpose. ATR-FTIR spectral analysis depicted the presence of aldehyde, amine salt, amide I, II and III, Metal-O stretching and aliphatic & aromatic hydrocarbons in fingernail clippings, collected from different male occupants. Specifically, PCA and PLS-DA were used for exploratory and predictive data analysis. It was noticed that PCA just provided an indication of the number of distinct classes instead of classifying the data. On the other hand, PLS-DA has been found to be excellent for predicting the workplace on the basis of classifying male fingernail clippings from different occupational exposure. Using 10 unknown samples, the model was further validated, and each unknown sample’s prediction was found to be correct, yielding a 100% accuracy rate. When fingernail clippings are discovered at a crime scene as corroborative evidence, the findings of this study may be useful to a forensic expert. Furthermore, it aids in focusing and narrowing down the criminal inquiry depending on occupation. For this purpose, a database based on forensic examination of fingernail clippings could be created, for workplace discrimination based on occupational exposure.

An examination of autopsies in a 400 bedded government hospital in Jhelum. An insight into the sudden cause of death and costs associated with autopsy in young government personnel.

To explore the different causes of sudden death among serving government employees. The audit study was conducted at the Pathology Department of a tertiary care hospital Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Jhelum, Pakistan, and comprised data of all autopsies between January 2017 and June 2021. Sampling was done by non probability purposive sampling technique which requires no statistical method calculation. Data was recorded related to weight of specimens, lists of tissue specimens for histopathological, chemical, and forensic examination, and the tests performed on samples of blood, urine, and other body fluids. Ethical review approval was taken from ethical review committee of the hospital dated October 2017. Data was analysed using Microsoft excel. All the 34 autopsies of male subjects were performed to explore the cause of sudden death. Coronary atherosclerosis was the most common cause of death 14(41.2%), followed by drowning 4(11.7%). Drug abuse, blood alcohol, narcotics, carbon monoxide and toxic elements were found in 5(14.7%) cases. Myocardial infarction was found to be the most common cause of death among serving government employees.

Characteristics of therapeutic and diagnostic errors in the management of traumatic brain injury by healthcare professionals: insights from forensic medical examinations on the quality of medical care

Characteristics of therapeutic and diagnostic errors in the management of traumatic brain injury by healthcare professionals: insights from forensic medical examinations on the quality of medical care

Прикладные проблемы использования специальных знаний при расследовании преступлений, связанных с незаконным производством и оборотом этилового спирта, алкогольной и спиртосодержащей продукции

The article examines the problems of law enforcement practice of investigative units of internal affairs bodies related to the use of special knowledge in the investigation of crimes on the illegal production and trafficking of ethyl alcohol, alcoholic and alcohol-containing products. Based on the analysis of normative legal acts, materials of scientific research and criminal cases, recommendations are made on sampling seized objects for forensic examinations, features of estimating the value of seized goods and establishing the fact of counterfeit products.

FORENSIC NURSING IN UKRAINE: CHALLENGES, CURRENT STATUS, AND IMPLEMENTATION PROSPECTS

This publication substantiates the need to introduce forensic nursing in Ukraine as a key tool to improve medico-legal assistance for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. The aim of the study. The study aims to analyze the current state of forensic medical examination in Ukraine, identify major challenges, and justify the necessity of integrating forensic nursing into the national healthcare and judicial systems. Results. The authors emphasize international standards such as WHO recommendations and the Istanbul Convention, which highlight the importance of providing comprehensive assistance to victims, including medical examination and evidence collection. Significant gaps exist in Ukraine's current forensic medical examination system, including mandatory procedures for reporting to law enforcement, bureaucratic hurdles, and outdated protocols. Introducing forensic nursing could significantly enhance service accessibility for victims of violence, especially during wartime. Forensic nurses would provide a holistic approach by simultaneously delivering medical care and collecting evidence for criminal investigations. Successful integration requires legislative changes, the establishment of a certification system, and educational programs. Conclusions. Implementing forensic nursing is a crucial step toward ensuring accessible and high-quality medico-legal assistance in Ukraine. This approach aligns with international standards and promotes the protection of victims' rights.

Evaluation of Criminal Responsibility in a Patient with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Intellectual Disability.

The current study presents the case of a young man with intellectual disability related to fetal alcohol syndrome, referred for forensic psychiatric examination of criminal liability following charges of armed robbery, and who was considered not criminally liable. In such cases, it is crucial to perform early diagnosis and rely on educational and developmental services and a supportive home environment to decrease complications such as substance use and criminal involvement.

СOMPENSATION FOR MORAL DAMAGE TO AN EMPLOYEE: THE PROBLEM OF THE METHODOLOGY FOR ASSESSING THE AMOUNT

The purpose of the article is to consider the existing methods of compensation for moral damage and to propose an author’s approach to solving this issue within the framework of labor relations. It is established that nowadays there is no single method or model for assessing moral damage in Ukraine, which is why we observe heterogeneous judicial practice on this issue. When determining compensation for moral damage, the difficulty lies in the impossibility of calculating it using any monetary scale or equating it to another property equivalent. Money, as the general equivalent of all values, also acts as such for moral damage. Currently, there are a large number of authors’ approaches to solving this issue, none of which, unfortunately, can be considered perfect one. For a long time, the method of calculating moral damage proposed by O. M. Erdelevskyi had been used in our country, but in 2016 it was excluded from the Register of methods of conducting forensic examinations. In 2019, a new Psychological Research Methodology in cases of causing moral suffering to a person and compensation for moral damage (registration code 14.01.75) was registered. However, in 2021, a decision on termination of the use of all psychological methods specified in the Methodology 14.01.75 was made; consequently, we can assume that it is simply impossible to apply it in practice. The methods of calculating moral damage, taking into account certain criteria, presented by well-known civilian scientists (N. Palovska, R. Stefanchuk, S. Shymon) are considered. Scientific approaches to solving this problem (within the framework of labor relations), proposed by O. Soroka and V. Chernadchuk, are investigated. The judicial practice on this issue is analyzed. The author’s methodology for calculating the amount of moral damage caused to an employee, which includes the base level (average salary) and certain criteria related to the personality of the employer and the employee, characterize the behavior of the participants in the labor relationship, and other circumstances that are important for adequate resolution of the case, is presented. Key words: moral damage, employer, employee, method, size, criteria, compensation.

Child Maltreatment Data After Implementation of Hospital-Wide Protocol and Utilization of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners for Child Maltreatment Cases.

Child maltreatment is a significant global health concern with significant morbidity and mortality. Sexual assault forensic examiners (SAFEs) provide a valuable skill set and may be utilized in child maltreatment evaluations. The purpose of the study was to describe patient characteristics and trends after implementation of a hospital-wide standardized child maltreatment protocol including forensic examiners in child maltreatment cases. Data from January 2017 through December 2022 were retrospectively collected and reviewed on all children under 18 years old who had a child maltreatment evaluation after initiation of a standardized child maltreatment screening process and protocol incorporating SAFE forensic evaluations at a tertiary care Level 1 trauma center. From January 2017 through December 2022, there were 764 child maltreatment evaluations of 742 total patients completed, with 763 (99.9%) evaluations completed by a trained SAFE. There were 378 examinations (49%) completed in children under 2 years old, 281 (37%) in children 2 years old until the 10th birthday, and the remaining 105 (14%) in children 10 years and older. The overall number of cases increased since the initiation of standardized screening and protocol from 68 cases in 2017 to 158 cases in 2022, with peak of 167 cases in 2020. SAFE-trained providers can be successfully incorporated in the multidisciplinary evaluation of child maltreatment patients and can add invaluable education, forensic documentation, and standardization of practice in the care of this vulnerable population.

Use of special knowledge in the investigation of crimes against the environment

The article is devoted to the actual problem of using special knowledge in the investigation of criminal offenses against the environment. The article examines the necessity and peculiarities of applying such knowledge in the process of uncovering and investigating crimes that harm the environment. The paper analyzes the current state of the problem, considers various types of environmental crimes and their consequences. Special attention is paid to the role of forensic examination and the use of modern technologies in the investigation process. In addition, the possibilities of forensic examinations to establish the truth in the investigation of crimes against the environment are analyzed. The work of scientists aimed at the development of forensic means and methods of investigation of environmental crimes, which contributed to the development of the methodology of investigation of crimes against the environment, improvement of their forensic characteristics, the role of special knowledge in the investigation of such crimes, was studied. Attention is focused on forensic examinations and their types, in particular forensic-ecological. The task of forensic environmental examination is to establish cause-and-effect relationships between the state of human health and its change and the harmful impact of human activity on the surrounding natural environment, as well as the study of violations of environmental safety rules. It is necessary to apply expertise from various fields of science, since the objects of research in the specified cases are extremely diverse. The results of the research can be used to develop new legislative norms and improve the practice of combating environmental crimes in Ukraine and beyond. Thus, the study proves that the effective application of special knowledge in the process of investigating environmental crimes is an important component of the struggle for environmental protection. However, in order to achieve maximum results, it is necessary not only to improve technical means and methods, but also to improve the personnel training system, regulatory and legal support, as well as interdepartmental interaction between various law enforcement subjects. Only a comprehensive approach will allow to significantly increase the effectiveness of the fight against environmental crimes and preserve natural resources for future generations.