Forensic Institutions Research Articles

Prospective areas of improvement of forensic expert activity based on international experience

The article identifies the main promising directions for the improvement of forensic expert activity based on the analysis of current criminal procedural legislation, scientific sources, as well as the practical performance of this activity in foreign countries. It is highlighted that the European integration of Ukraine necessitates the adoption of world standards in the field of forensic examination.
 In the modern world there is a fairly large number of specialised international organisations, whose work is related to international cooperation in the field of activities of forensic institutions, conducting certain types of expert research. Among them the European Network of Forensic Institutes (ENFSI) has significant importance. In addition to the general work in the field of quality and competence management, research and development, education and training, 17 different expert working groups deal with various forensic researches. It includes 54 expert institutions, 41 of which are located in the member states of the European Union. Therefore, the European Commission has recognised ENFSI as a monopoly organisation in the field of forensic examination.
 Recently, Ukrainian forensic expert institutions have been closely cooperating with ENFSI. This can be seen in the example of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine (KNDISE), which maintains close international relations with scientific establishments, educational institutions of foreign countries, international and non-governmental organisations. KNDISE became a member of ENFSI in 2017.
 It was concluded that the task of an expert in any country is the same - to conduct a certain type of examination that will help resolve a legal dispute or simply a conflict situation using his special knowledge. Of course, each state has its own legal system, historically developed legal traditions, but forensic expert activity is based on common, first of all, scientific principles and methods. What is important in this activity is the establishment of cooperation and the exchange of acquired experience and technologies, the search for new ways and approaches to interaction.

Problems of concluding an expert opinion based on the results of a forensic veterinary examination of a live animal and ways to solve them

Forensic veterinary examination is a new type of forensic examination that is actively developing in the forensic examination institutions of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. Since its theory and methodology are yet forming, there is a need to develop its terminology, methods, and means of conducting and formalizing research results. The purpose of this study was to single out the problematic issues of drafting an expert’s opinion based on the results of a forensic veterinary examination of a live animal and to outline ways to solve them. The study employed various scientific methods, namely dialectical, methods of logic (formal legal, system-structural analysis, modelling, analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction), general cognitive methods (description, observation), special methods, the functions of which are performed by methods of lifetime clinical forensic veterinary diagnostics of animals. The present paper focuses on the fact that the specific feature of the introductory part of the conclusion of a forensic expert is that it indicates the object of examination – a live animal. A list of issues to be resolved by the authorized body or person who appointed the forensic veterinary examination was developed in this study. The structure of the investigative part of the forensic expert’s opinion was covered and substantiated for the first time, which is based on a forensic veterinary examination of the subject animal based on the principle of analysing the state of individual body systems, including blood circulation, breathing, urination, sexual, nervous, and sensory. The description in the expert opinion of the results of the analysis of individual veterinary documents concerning the subject of proof was substantiated. It was shown that based on the results of the clinical forensic-veterinary examination of a live animal under expert examination, the forensic expert outlines the forensic-veterinary diagnosis, and in the section of the examination part of the opinion, which synthesizes the results, summarizes the obtained data. It is stated that the final part of the forensic expert opinion contains comprehensive, scientifically sound, consistently laid out, clear, specific, expressive, understandable answers to the questions raised, the list of which is indicated in the introductory part of the opinion. The present paper outlined the structure of appendices to the opinion of a forensic expert, which is most often photo illustrations of injuries found in an animal under examination. The solutions developed in this paper concerning the drafting of an expert’s opinion based on the results of a forensic veterinary examination of a live animal are guaranteed to be reflected in the conduct and drafting of the results of forensic veterinary research.

Problems of investigation of medical crimes in Ukraine

In the article, the authors identified the main reasons for the low level of investigation of medical crimes in Ukraine based on the analysis of 78 criminal cases of medical malpractice considered by courts since 2013, the study of statistical information, scientific literature on the problems of investigating medical crimes, national legislation. It was concluded there are significant problems with the investigation of medical crimes in Ukraine. Less than one percent of the number of initiated criminal cases is sent to court. Most of the cases sent to court end with a guilty verdict, however, medical workers are released from real deprivation or restriction of freedom for various reasons. According to the specialties of medical workers, the most criminogenic are obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, anesthesiology, and emergency care for injuries and internal diseases. Methods of committing medical crimes are associated with using incorrect methods of providing medical care and with the untimely or incorrect diagnosis of the disease. The problems of investigating medical crimes in Ukraine are due to a number of reasons, including the closeness of the results of the post-mortem examination of the corpse to relatives of the deceased, the lack of independent forensic medical examination institutions in Ukraine, and gaps in the legal regulation of the protection of medical records from unauthorized access. This greatly complicates the establishment of a causal relationship between the actions or inaction of medical workers and the negative consequences that have occurred.

Violent Recidivism and Adverse Childhood Experiences in Forensic Psychiatric Patients With Impaired Intellectual Functioning.

Accurate risk assessment and insight into which factors are associated with recidivism are essential for forensic correctional practice. Therefore, we investigated whether the Historical, Clinical, and Future-Revised (HKT-R [Historisch Klinisch Toekomst-Revised]) risk assessment instrument could predict violent recidivism over a 2-year follow-up period in forensic psychiatric patients with intelligence quotient (IQ) < 80. We refer to these patients as intellectually disabled (ID) and patients with IQ ≥ 80 as non-ID. Additionally, the associations of the 14 clinical HKT-R factors with ID versus non-ID group membership were investigated, as well as a possible moderating role of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in these associations. The final sample encompassed 748 forensic psychiatric patients (15.9% were patients with ID) who were unconditionally released from highly secured Dutch forensic psychiatric institutions between 2004 and 2014. The results showed that the HKT-R total score (AUC = 0.705, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.527, 0.882]) and the clinical domain (AUC = 0.733, 95% CI [0.579, 0.886]) had a large effect size for predictive validity for 2-year violent recidivism, while the future domain (AUC = 0.653, 95% CI [0.524, 0.781]) and the historical domain (AUC = 0.585, 95% CI [0.397, 0.772]) had a medium effect size for predictive validity for 2-year violent recidivism in ID patients. It was also found that lower levels of self-reliance and social skills were associated with ID, indicating that treatment should prioritize these skills. However, ACE was not associated with ID, nor did it moderate the associations of the clinical HKT-R factors with ID. This study contributes to the understanding of both risk assessment and treatment of forensic psychiatric patients with ID.

Inpatient forensic psychiatry in the time of COVID-19: a survey study of perceived mental health implications on people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT Background The aim of our study was to assess the perceived mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) in an inpatient forensic psychiatric institution and to identify personal networks most crucial for the patient during the pandemic. Methods In this cross-sectional survey study, 44 patients with SSD took part in a COVID-19-specific interview. The data was correlated with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) to evaluate the patients’ psychopathology. In addition, we investigated subgroups of vaccinated and unvaccinated patients to analyze possible differences in psychopathology. Results Less contact with family members was associated with significantly higher PANSS scores (p < 0.05). Patients who reported to feel less relaxed and more stressed during the pandemic than they had been before the outbreak of the virus showed significantly higher PANSS scores (p < 0.05). Unvaccinated patients demonstrated significantly higher PANSS scores than their vaccinated controls (p < 0.05). Conclusions Social support from family members played an important role for people with SSD in inpatient forensic psychiatric institutions during the pandemic. Moreover, individuals with SSD seemed to be more emotionally vulnerable during the pandemic. A more pronounced symptomatology in patients with SSD might be a potential barrier to immunization against COVID-19.

Electrochemical sensing of amphetamine-type stimulants (pre)-precursors to fight against the illicit production of synthetic drugs

The illicit drug precursor market for the manufacture of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), mainly amphetamine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), has emerged quickly in the last years. The evidence of a more complex and sophisticated drug market underlines the pressing need for new on-site methods to quickly detect precursors of synthetic drugs, with electrochemical analysis as a promising technique. Herein, the electrochemical fingerprints of ten common ATS precursors-3-oxo-2-phenylbutanenitrile (APAAN), 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanamide (APAA), methyl 3-oxo-2-phenylbutanoate (MAPA), benzyl methyl ketone (BMK), 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-one (PMK), ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, safrole, sassafras oil and piperonal- are reported for the first time. The electrochemical screening disclosed the redox inactivity of BMK, which is an essential starting material for the production of ATS. Therefore, the local derivatization of BMK at an electrode surface by reductive amination is presented as a feasible solution to enrich its electrochemical fingerprint. To prove that, the resulting mixture was analyzed using a set of chromatographic techniques to understand the reaction mechanism and to identify possible electrochemical active products. Two reaction products (i.e. methamphetamine and 1-phenylpropan-2-ol) were found and characterized using mass spectrometry and electrochemical methods. Subsequently, the optimization of the reaction parameters was carefully addressed to set the portable electrochemical sensing strategy. Ultimately, the analysis concept was validated for the qualitative identification of ATS precursors in seizures from a forensic institute. Overall, the electrochemical approach demonstrates to be a useful and affordable analytical tool for the early identification of ATS precursors to prevent trafficking and drug manufacture in clandestine laboratories.

Automated DNA casework workflow: A retrospective study of the first implementation of FIDL at the Netherlands Forensic Institute

FIDL is a fast and automated DNA identification line which represents a series of software solutions automating the process from raw capillary electrophoresis data to reporting. This retrospective study provides insight in the numbers of cases, turnaround time, results compared to the standard workflow and the benefits automation has in a large volume workflow.

Sustainability of Open Educational Resources in Forensic Sciences: International Experience

Open educational resources are among the important factors that affect the quality of contemporary education. The new form of education has been recognised by UNESCO and has become an important element in reaching sustainable development goals in educational sector. This article covers the experience of using open educational resources for expert support in justice, based on international experience. To identify the possibility of using open educational resources in the specific area of forensic experts’ education, the authors of the article have conducted a survey among expert community, and the survey results are presented in this study. Representatives of expert institutions from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Montenegro, Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine and other countries have participated in the survey. The analysis of survey results shows that the introduction of open educational resources is acceptable for most respondents. It was found that ‘OER: Forensic Science’ project is going to be the first educational content of the kind to be introduced in forensic expert institutions and universities entitled to support educational activities. It is proven that open educational resources can enhance quality of the learning process at two levels at least. First, it is the quality of teaching and secondly, it is the new digital approach to learning environment that allows access to all studies necessary to perform forensic expert activities.

Addition of an adipose marker to the organ tissue identification mRNA assay

At the Netherlands Forensic Institute, mRNA profiling for the purpose of organ tissue identification is frequently requested in casework. The previous version of the assay (denoted Organtyper) lacked markers for identifying adipose tissue, while this was occasionally questioned in casework. Here, three potential adipose markers are examined before incorporating one into the final Organtyper assay. The added value of the adipose marker becomes clear from looking at casework results.

International congress: “Topical issues of forensic medicine and expert practice-2022”

On April 2021, 2022, the International Congress: Topical Issues of Forensic Medicine and Expert Practice-2022 was held in Moscow based on the Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute named after M.F. Vladimirsky. The International Congress has once again gathered a pool of leading experts in the field of forensic medicine from different countries. The International Congress was attended by leading practitioners and prominent scientists, department heads, and heads of forensic medical expert institutions. Specialists from Germany, Italy, Portugal, Japan, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and other countries expressed a desire to share their experiences with colleagues and discuss the most pressing problems of forensic medicine. The scientific program of the congress was compiled, emphasizing the latest achievements in various fields of forensic medicine and related disciplines. Program reports on trends and ways of world forensic medicine development in the XXI century were presented at the plenary sessions, and the most promising areas of expert research in the field of thanatology, laboratory diagnostics of pathological processes, experts, and law enforcement practice of harm caused to human health were discussed at specialized sections.

CRITERIA FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF FORENSIC ACTIVITIES IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD

The globalization of the world community has contributed to qualitative changes in the socio-economic sphere, which has led to the transformation of crime in the Republic of Azerbaijan. Nowadays, forensic expertise has become a key tool in the process of administering justice. Criminal proceedings are no exception. Application of special knowledge in the process of revealing and investigating crimes, providing the right for defense and representing the rights of victims has a special importance in building a legal and democratic society in Azerbaijan. Accreditation of forensic laboratories is a prerequisite for determining the criteria for assessing the quality of forensic activities in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The purpose of the scientific research is to identify the criteria for assessing the quality of forensic activities in the Republic of Azerbaijan, in comparison with other countries of the globe. To achieve this goal, a system of philosophical, general scientific and special scientific methods (comparison, description, analysis and synthesis, induction, deduction and analogy, abstraction, generalization, systematic approach and others) was used. Theoretical, normative-legal and practical problems of formation and application of criteria of forensic activity quality assessment in the Republic of Azerbaijan were examined. The study showed that the problems of determining the criteria for assessing the quality and accreditation of forensic activities were not properly ensured due to the imperfections of the current legislation in the Republic of Azerbaijan. The study resulted in the developing indicators to assess the quality of forensic institutions, such as regulatory, methodological, organizational. The practical value of the research lies in the presentation of a detailed analysis of the experience of implementing new approaches of courts of expertise in countries with different courts of occupation. The study is of practical interest to the judicial system officials involved in the development of the legal framework for conducting court cases.

CiteSpace-Based Visualization Analysis of Forensic Research in China from 2010 to 2019.

To analyze the research status of forensic medicine in China from 2010 to 2019, obtain the development trend of forensic medicine and explore the hotspots and research frontiers. The forensic medical academic papers published on China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database from 2010 to 2019 were collected. CiteSpace 5.7.R1, an information visualization analysis software, was used to analyze publication organizations, authors, keywords, and other elements. The majority of the research institutions were universities, provincial and ministerial scientific research and forensic institutions. Forensic pathology was still an important branch of forensic medicine and a popular research direction. The "polymorphism" and "Y chromosome" had been the research hotspots in recent years. "Medical damage" and "standard" were the most novel studies. In order to provide scientific basis and research direction for forensic research, this paper analyzes the cooperation network, research hotspots and research innovation in forensic research.

Review of five years of comprehensive NPS analytics and insights into the substance identification workflow of the ADEBAR project

The ADEBAR project aims to comprehensively characterize emerging substances relevant for forensic toxicological casework providing collaborative structure elucidation and instrumental analysis services for forensic science institutes in and around Germany. The ADEBAR project addresses the need of the forensic science community for structural elucidation of novel new psychoactive substances (NPS) and other substances appearing on the illicit market and the digital provision of the analytical datasets. High-quality reference substances as well as court-proof analytical data are required to keep screening methods and databases up to date in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The ADEBAR project represents the competence network of the Federal Criminal Police Office, seven State Bureaus of Criminal Investigation, and the German Customs, co-funded by the EU's Internal Security Fund since July 2017. Additionally, the Universities of Mainz and Freiburg have been involved in the anticipatory synthesis and pharmacological assessment of NPS variants since 2019. Forensic institutes, mostly German police and customs laboratories, submit samples to the ADEBAR consortium. New substances emerging on the drug market (seized or purchased) are elucidated and comprehensively characterized using chromatographic, spectroscopic, and spectrometric techniques [GC-MS, (N)-IR, GC-sIR, NMR, LC-(HR)MS, and Raman spectroscopy]. The workflow chart illustrates the sequence of analytical processes within the ADEBAR project. The results of the analytical characterization are documented in a publishable comprehensive report. The report and the corresponding analytical datasets are published digitally through national and international channels (forum of the GTFCh, EDND of the EMCDDA, and NPS Data Hub) and formal reports are submitted to the early warning system (EWS) of the EMCDDA. Over the period of four and a half years, a total of 549 substances have been analytically characterized, leading to close to 400 reports published. Seized materials, test purchases in online shops, and designer drug derivatives synthesized within the ADEBAR project were analyzed. The minimum requirement of the ADEBAR project for an unequivocal identification is applying two analytical techniques of category A (referring to the SWGDRUG classification scheme) to differentiate structurally related isomers reliably. Synthetic cannabinoids were the largest and (designer) pharmaceuticals the second largest group of substances analyzed so far. Identified opioids shifted from fentanyl analogs like cyclopentanoylfentanyl, 3-methylcrotonylfentanyl, and “U-type” compounds (mainly detected in 2017 to 2018) to buccinazine (AP-237, 2-Me-AP-237, and AP-238) and benzimidazole type opioids like isotonitazene, etonitazene, and etonitazepipne from 2019 onwards. In addition, 106 fully characterized and precisely quantified NPS reference substances have been issued to all German forensic institutes together with a certificate of analysis as a continuous service of the ADEBAR project. The ADEBAR project has been contributing to the availability of analytical data and reference material relevant to the daily work of police and customs laboratories. A total of 3619 mass spectra have been published, together with NMR, IR, GC-sIR, and NIR spectra. The datasets were published worldwide and free of charge and facilitate the identification of these new compounds by other forensic laboratories.

INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL AND FORENSIC PROBLEMS OF IMPROVING THE ACTIVITIES OF EXPERT INSTITUTIONS

The priority activity of state law enforcement agencies in combating crime and, in particular, investigating and solving serious crimes is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the actions of each of the participants in this process. An important role in the implementation of such a complex task of the state belongs to forensic institutions and their staff. The article is devoted to information and technical and forensic problems of improving the activities of forensic institutions. The conditions for the improvement and development of forensic activities are determined. It is concluded that the study of the issues of using the modern scientific and technical potential of expert activity creates conditions for its improvement and development. This is largely due to the fact that the use of modern scientific and technological achievements in forensic activities, and with its help in the detection, investigation and prevention of crimes, does not occur automatically, but requires proper study and support. Ways to improve forensic activities are defined: increasing the level of technical and forensic support for the disclosure, investigation and prevention of crimes; increasing the level of efficiency of the participation of employees of expert units in the conduct of investigative actions and operational-search activities; improvement of research activities for the development, development and implementation in practice of new technical and forensic tools, forensic methods and techniques; improvement of expert research methods, forensic accounting, analytical and organizational work based on the introduction of modern automated systems and technologies; generalization and dissemination of best practices and analysis of expert practice on the effectiveness of methodologies for the study of physical evidence, the use of methods of technical and forensic support for the disclosure, investigation and prevention of crimes; improving the selection, training and placement of employees of expert units, strengthening service and performance discipline; intensification of interaction between the expert service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine with otherdivisions of the internal affairs bodies, as well as with other law enforcement agencies, including at the interstate level. Key words: expert, expert research, handwriting examination, examination of documents, photo-portrait examination, examination of phonograms.

THE UNITED NATIONS IN THE MODERN WORLD AND ISSUES OF FORENSIC EXAMINATION IN ITS ACTIVITIES

The role of forensic science and the work of an expert in the activities of the United Nations is considered. The author analyzes the main and most popular areas of involvement of forensic experts, the requirements for their qualifications, as well as guarantees for the protection of their activities. It is noted that the United Nations is increasingly emphasizing the importance of further increasing the role of forensic science in the administration of criminal justice and the need to further develop the international relations of forensic institutions in the world. It is concluded that the considered United Nations approaches to the issues of forensic examination and examples of the use of forensic expertise in the activities of this Organization and the participating States in the implementation of the provisions of the United Nations Charter and international treaties are not exhaustive. Every year the need for forensic experts at the level of the United Nations and other international organizations is increasing, including the need for specialists in new areas of forensic research. In addition, the requirements and standards for forensic experts are being tightened, taking into account the challenges of the time and realities, their methods of work are being improved, the principles of international cooperation are changing, which, in turn, will indicate an improvement in the quality of forensic activities in general. Key words: forensic examination, forensic and expert field, United Nations.

Personal recovery in forensic institutions as a political process: the significance of frameworks for clinical practice.

Support of personal recovery has been a stated goal for many mental health services since the early 2000s. Frameworks such as the CHIME-S described in this issue of BJPsych Open provide useful tools for the operationalisation of this in clinical practice. It is important, however, that through this act of normalisation we do not lose sight of the radical implications of personal recovery as a personal and political process taking place within a social world.

6-Monoacetylmorphine-antibody distribution in tissues from heroin-related death cases: An experimental study to investigate the distributive response.

Heroin, a semisynthetic opioid drug synthesized from morphine, is the 3,6‐diacetyl ester of morphine (diacetylmorphine). The post‐mortem diagnosis of heroin‐related death could be an issue and usually rely on a combination of investigations, including the autopsy, histological and toxicological analysis. We conducted the present study to evaluate the correlation between the heroin concentration in biological fluids (peripheral blood, bile and urine) and the post‐mortem anti‐6‐MAM antibody expression in various tissues (brain, heart, lung, liver and kidney) using immunohistochemical staining. A quantitative analysis of the immunohistochemical reaction was carried out. 45 cases of heroin‐related death investigated at the Forensic Pathology Institutes of the University of Rome, Foggia and Pisa were included. The control group was composed of 15 cases of death due to other causes, without brain lesions and negative toxicological analysis for drugs. We found a positive immunohistochemical reaction in different organs and it was related to the timing of heroin metabolization. No reaction was found in the control group. Our findings show that immunohistochemistry can be a valuable tool for the post‐mortem diagnosis of acute heroin abuse. A better understanding of the timing of heroin's metabolism can be useful in the forensic field and for future therapeutic applications.

ОСНОВНЫЕ АСПЕКТЫ ИНЖЕНЕРНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО ПРОЕКТИРОВАНИЯ ЗДАНИЙ И ВОПРОСЫ МАТЕРИАЛЬНО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКОГО ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ БЮРО СУДЕБНО-МЕДИЦИНСКОЙ ЭКСПЕРТИЗЫ И ПАТОЛОГОАНАТОМИЧЕСКИХ ОТДЕЛЕНИЙ С ТОЧКИ ЗРЕНИЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИИ САНИТАРНО-ГИГИЕНИЧЕСКИХ И ПРОТИВОЭПИДЕМИЧЕСКИХ МЕРОПРИЯТИЙ

Abstract. Introduction. The review article discusses the issues of modern logistics in the production of forensic medical examinations from the infectious safety of personnel point of view. Forensic medical examination institutions are special types of health care institutions. Special requirements are imposed on the design of buildings and the logistics of such institutions. Aim. The purpose of the study is to analyze scientific information on the planning decisions of buildings for forensic purposes and the material and technical equipment of the forensic medical examination in terms of infectious safety of personnel. Material and methods. When preparing a literature review, the literature search method was used in the PubMed, eLibrary.ru, Google Scholar databases for the period 2005–2021. The analysis included literature reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical studies. Results and discussion. The studies present organizational and technological solutions for the design of buildings and the logistics of institutions of forensic medical examination. Attention is drawn to compliance with sanitary standards and requirements for premises, equipment in accordance with standards in order to create safe working conditions for forensic doctors, which ultimately allows to significantly improve the quality of forensic medical examination. Conclusion. Researchers have recognized that at present, the infectious safety of employees of forensic institutions is very important. The Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination and pathology departments need to be improved. This improvement should be based on modern building design and sanitary and hygienic logistical support, so building and improving the logistical capacity of these institutions is necessary and remains a major challenge to be addressed.

High Security Settings in Flanders: An Analysis of Discharged and Long-Term Forensic Psychiatric Patients.

BackgroundTwo Forensic Psychiatric Centres (FPC) were implemented the last decade in Flanders in Ghent (2014) and Antwerp (2017). FPCs are forensic institutions for forensic psychiatric patients with a high recidivism risk and a high security need. The objective of FPCs is to create a care process with sufficient flow (from high to lower forms of security), and transitions (from specialized forensic care to regular psychiatric care).AimsTo examine the characteristics of the high security population in FPCs, treatment length, number of discharges, and discharge locations and to determine the profile of long-term patients within an FPC.MethodsA retrospective file study of an admission cohort of 654 patients admitted to FPC Ghent or FPC Antwerp was conducted. Sociodemographic, clinical, judicial and risk characteristics were analyzed. Bivariate analyses were used to test the difference between two groups: the group that was discharged to a lower security level vs. the group of long-term patients.ResultsMost patients had psychosis and personality disorders, while comorbidity was also high. Judicial histories were extensive, with many sexual index offenses. During a 6-year follow-up period, the number of referrals back to prison was low. Nearly a third of the population was discharged to a setting with a lower security level. Long-term patients typically presented with more personality disorders, higher psychopathy traits and higher risk scores and were more frequently subjected to coercive measures during treatment.ConclusionsThe Flemish FPC population is characterized by a high proportion of sex offenders as well as a high proportion of personality-disordered patients. It is this last group, and the group with elevated psychopathy traits, who remain for longer than expected and is difficult to resocialize. This study further highlights the need for clear criteria to assess the conditions of these long-term patients in Flanders.

Снижение рисков при тушении пожаров первичными средствами пожаротушения на производственных объектах

For ensuring fire safety, it is required to bring the legal and regulatory and regulatory-technical base in the field of fire safety in line with the up-to-date requirements based on the scientific research and development. However, the application of the equirements for the provision of primary fire extinguishing equipment (portable fire extinguisher) to the premises of industrial buildings and the calculation estimates according to the proven methods is impossible in the on-line mode and in the conditions of time pressure. Estimates regarding the equipment and efficient use of the portable fire extinguishers at the initial stage of a fire allowed to formulate the information and analytical support for equipping premises in the industrial buildings with primary fire extinguishing equipment at the initial stage of a fire. Developed information and analytical support make it possible to justify the minimum required number of portable fire extinguishers, as well as the efficiency of use, considering their technical characteristics. And for its practical implementation, an algorithm was developed that allows an assessment of the provision of portable fire extinguishers for the premises of the building. Practical application of the information and analytical support for the provision of primary fire extinguishing equipment (portable fire extinguisher) in specific situations allows to make prompt, reasonable and effective management decisions. It also allows assessing safe use of the portable fire extinguishers by the personnel of the enterprise when extinguishing a fire in the industrial buildings, avoiding litigation, removing administrative barriers, improving the scientific and experimental and educational and material base of the scientific and educational organizations, forensic expert institutions, switching to more reasonable engineering and technical, organizational measures in terms of providing the object of protection with primary fire extinguishing means.