MEDICINA
LEGALIS
BALTICA

2002, N 13

Proceedings of the 4-th Congress of BMLA,
Tartu, Estonia,
August 22-25, 2001

Editor in chief prof. A. Garmus

Vilnius, Lithuania

Editor M. Väli

Tartu, Estonia

Secretary of the issue M. Talumäe

Tartu, Estonia

Medicina Legalis Baltica

Verkių 7-110, Vilnius 2042

Lithuania

Tel. 370-2-725048

Fax 370-2-725049

® Medicina Legalis Baltica, 2002

ISBN 9985-4-0239-1

Tartu University Press

Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estonia

Order No. 4

Preface

The 4th Congress of the Baltic Medico-Legal Association was held in Tartu, Estonia, during August 22-25, 2001. It was the first time the Estonians had the honour to arrange the Congress of the Association.

104 forensic scientists and accompanying persons from 11 countries attended the congress. There were participants from Armenia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Sweden. I would like to thank all participants for attending the meeting and for creating pleasant, free and easy atmosphere.

The Congress was held in the Biomedicum of the Medical Faculty of the Tartu University. During the scientific sessions of Forensic Pathology and Clinical Forensic Medicine, Laboratory Investigations in Forensic Medicine and poster session we heard and saw many interesting lectures and presentations. Most of all presentations were given on the topic of forensic pathology.

The present volume contains 33 scientific papers presented at the 4th Congress.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of the Tartu University Professor Toomas Asser officially opened the Congress. The welcoming addresses on the opening ceremony of the Congress were presented by the President of the Congress Dr Marika Väli, President of the Association Professor Antanas Garmus and the Vice-President of the German Society of Forensic Medicine Professor Volkmar Schneider. Professor Pekka Saukko from the University of Turku gave a short talk about "The Future of Forensic Medicine as a speciality in Europe".

During the days of the Congress the participants and guests visited the History Museum of the Tartu University, had the dinner in the restaurant Atlantis, went to the trip in Tartu and in South-Estonia and had the party of the Estonian national style at the Pühajärve Recreation Resort to introduce Estonia, Tartu and its University, Estonian culture and traditions.

I hope to meet you at the next Congress of BMLA in Saint-Petersburg!

Marika Väli

Contents

1. Forensic Pathology

Structural aspects of violent death in Latvia at the end of 20th century. M. Pankova, N. Skidenko, G. Vabels

The pattern of alcohol use among suicidents. A. Värnik, M. Väli, K. Kõlves

Methods of studying suicides in the Leningrad region. A. J. Grinenko, V. O. Yushkovsky, G. I. Zaslavsky, V. L. Popov

Comparison of injuries caused by different pistols at contact range.
D. Lepik, V. Vasiliev

Dynamics of lethal head injuries in Riga in 90-ties. O. Teteris

Myocardium small artery disease as the cause of sudden death.
A. E. Safray

Sudden and violent death structure in Latvia (1999-2000). Z. Lutere, V. Truschus, J. Vamze

The survey on motor transport accidents in Liepāja city and region in comparison to Ventspils city and region. During 1998-2000. E. Striks, D. Kaju, U. Nēliuss