THE ROLE OF POST-MORTEM BIOCHEMISTRY IN THE FORENSIC MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OF MECHANICAL INJURY (literature review)

Abstract

Background. Mechanical trauma occupies one of the leading places in forensic medical examination. The main task of the expert, when conducting this kind of examination, is to provide a scientifically based answer to the questions of the pre-trial investigation bodies or the court, which relate not only to the determination of the mechanism of the injury, but also to the time period of its occurrence. Traditional methods of morphological research and methods of laboratory analyzes cannot always provide comprehensive information, especially in cases of determining the age of mechanical trauma in the early Post-mortem period. Therefore, new methods of biochemical research are being actively introduced into forensic medical practice. Aim: Analysis of the literature devoted to the application of various biochemical diagnostic methods in forensic medical practice to establish the antiquity of mechanical trauma. Results. In pathological conditions, such as, for example, trauma, certain molecular changes occur in the human body, which are associated with a systemic reaction to a stress factor and are manifested before the appearance of morphological changes in tissues and organs. Therefore, the use of biochemical research methods will significantly expand the possibilities of forensic diagnostics. The publication shows promising directions for the application of the biochemical method for forensic trauma diagnosis. Issues of establishing the statute of limitations for mechanical injuries are considered. Today, scientific studies of the body's stress state in cases of fatal injuries are becoming more and more common. Which is of great importance for forensic medical expert practice. Therefore, the role of manifestations of the body's systemic response to trauma is described. The role of natriuretic peptides, creatine kinase and procalcitonin in diagnosing the duration of the traumatic process is also shown. Conclusion. The relevance and practical significance of biochemical research for the forensic diagnosis of the time of occurrence of a mechanical injury, as well as the development of new diagnostic criteria for determining the body's systemic response to trauma, necessitated a deep and comprehensive study of the above problems.

Keywords

• trauma, stress, biochemical methods, forensic medicine