IntroductionImproving the mental health diagnosis in young children is the high-priority problem in reducing the rate of child disability due to mental illnesses. In 2015, the Ministry of Healthcare (Russia) introduced the pilot project – the total screening of the paediatric population at an early age, detecting autism spectrum disorders (ASD) risk group.ObjectivesTo determine the broad range of mental disorders: from minor borderline states (states of risk) to serious mental disorders, with an emphasis on determination of ASD in children aged 16–24 months in general population.MethodsThe survey was conducted by the total screening in primary health care institutions (in the three largest regions of Russia: Volgograd, Novosibirsk, Chelyabinsk regions). The screening tool: checklist for parents aimed at detection of risk of occurrence of ASD in early children, for screening in general population.Results and conclusionsDuring 2015, 34,770 parents of children aged 16–24 were questioned. Of these 4102 children or 11.8% (118:1000) formed the risk group in ASD. By the risk group in ASD predisposition (diathesis) is understood, that does not correspond fully to the clinical criteria of illness. This state of predisposition may last for several years and pass either to illness or to health.The part of the children of the risk group in ASD were consulted by psychiatrist on a voluntary basis (2774 cases). Fifteen children (0.4:1000) were diagnosed with prominent clinical disorders in ICD-10 (F84). This prevalence rate cannot be extrapolated on the general population of the children at the considered age.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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The prevalence of risk of ASD (a condition of a pre-illness) was 103.5 cases per 1000 of children aged 16-24 months. Some of the children at ASD risk had a preventive consultation with a psychiatrist, 36 children (0.5 per 1000 peers) had severe clinical disorders classified as F84 - 'Pervasive developmental disorders' of ICD-10 (F84.0; F84.1; F84.8). From the perspective of predicative and preventive medicine, children at risk require complex measures to prevent the onset of a mental disorder or worsening of the mental state of the child.

This information letter was produced in response to a growing number of inquiries from investigators, and increased instances of forensic psychologists being appointed to evaluate witness credibility based on videos of interrogations. The letter addresses the need to streamline forensic casework related to the analysis of video recordings of specific investigative actions involving different agents of the criminal process. The letter considers possibilities for commissioning these forensic procedures and the rationale for conducting such examinations, in compliance with the scientific principles of professional forensic work.