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Micromorphological studies of skeletal muscle tissue in wild game animals during biological forensics

https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2025-3-4-1-01

Abstract

This article presents the results of a forensic biological examination of skeletal muscle tissue from wild game animals (maral, elk, reindeer, and Siberian roe deer), conducted using comparative micromorphology within criminal cases concerning illegal hunting (Article 258 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation) in the Nazarovsky, Uzhursky, and Uyarsky districts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory. Microstructural studies represent one of the probative methods for species identification of animals, alongside anatomical-topographical, organoleptic, physicochemical, immunological, and genetic research methods. The aim of this study was to identify the microstructural features of skeletal muscle tissues in wild game animals for the purpose of establishing their species and age identification. It was determined that the microstructural features of the gluteus medius muscle tissue in wild game animals include the ratio of muscle to connective tissues, the presence or absence of fat cells in intermuscular spaces, the size of muscle fibers, and the number and area of nuclei per unit area of muscle fiber.

About the Authors

Natalya V. Donkova
Krasnoyarsk State Agricultural University
Russian Federation

Natalya V. Donkova, DSc (Vet), Professor, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Pathological Anatomy and Surgery, Krasnoyarsk State Agricultural University



Tatyana S. Lebedeva
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Russian Federation

Tatyana S. Lebedeva, СSc (Jur), Associate Professor at the Department of Economic Security and Law, Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy



Irina. E. Menchikova
Krasnoyarsk State Agricultural University
Russian Federation

Irina E. Menchikova, postgraduate student, Assistant at the Department of Anatomy, Pathological Anatomy and Surgery, Krasnoyarsk State Agricultural University



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Review

For citations:


Donkova N.V., Lebedeva T.S., Menchikova I.E. Micromorphological studies of skeletal muscle tissue in wild game animals during biological forensics. Timiryazev Biological Journal. 2025;3(4):101. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.26897/2949-4710-2025-3-4-1-01

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