Research Program
Comprehensive studies in the field of traffic accident reconstruction
Computer modeling of trauma and injury mechanisms
Development of a database on the circumstances and mechanisms of injuries in traffic
accident victims based on the extended post-mortem examinations and court files
Studies on the metabolic interaction of ethanol with endogenous and exogenous substances
Research on biochemical markers of metabolic abnormalities that precede death
The use of cryopreserved hepatocytes to study the interaction of ethanol with toxic substances
Development of spectroscopic methods of detection and determination of biocides in
biological material
Development of spectroscopic methods of detection and determination of psychoactive
substances in biological material
Polymorphism of STR loci; population data in the Poland, statistical evidence in paternity
cases, determination of sibship
Polymorphism of SNP loci- population data in the Poland
TOPICS (labs and lectures, themes for examination questions)
Thanatology
The pathophysiology of death - definitions, causes and mechanisms of dying
External examination of a corpse, evolution of death signs, decomposition processes
Determination of the time of death
Forensic autopsy procedures
Forensic traumatology
External injuries: abrasions, bruises (contusions) and wounds (lacerations)
Typical consequences of blunt trauma, injuries from sharp and edged tools, shotgun wounds
The pathology of wounds: mechanisms and classification, weapon identification
Head, skull and brain injury mechanisms, intracranial haematomas
Bone fracture mechanisms (head, chest, pelvis and long bones – diaphyseal and intraarticular)
Transportation injuries
Global burden of road traffic accidents, social and medical impact
Pedestrian injuries (impact trajectories, typical injury mechanisms)
Injuries to pedal cyclists and motorcyclists
Patterns of injury of vehicle occupants (influence of safety devices, identification of the
driver)
Whiplash associated disorders
General forensic pathology
Classification of asphyxial deaths, differentiation of mechanical asphyxia mechanisms
Drowning mechanisms and autopsy signs
The effects of cold, fire burns and electrocution – post-mortem findings and diagnostics
Carbon monoxide poisoning – toxicity, post-mortem findings and diagnostics
Infanticide diagnostic, evidence of child abuse
Forensic genetics
Classical serological genetic markers
Polymorphism of DNA: RFLP, VNTR, STR, SNP
Technology of DNA typing markers: RFLP and AmFLP technologies
DNA sample processing steps: extraction, amplification, separation and detection of PCR
product
Biological samples (preliminary research, confirmation research, the amelogenin sex-typing
assay)
DNA database, kinship and parentage testing
Polymorphism of mtDNA and YSTR
Forensic Toxicology
Ethanol concentration calculations (Widmark formula, retrospective calculations)
Determination of ethanol in breath air and blood samples (breath analyzers, laboratory
methods)
General classes of poisons, the most common drugs of abuse
Methods of identification drugs of abuse (GC-MS, LC-MS, SPE, LLE)
Multidirectional toxicological analysis, limitations of urine analyses