Why is toxicology important in forensics

However, many drugs analysed in toxicology, including the amphetamines, the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine and a number of benzodiazepines, are unstable at GC temperatures or produce marked peak tailing and, therefore, are usually prepared using trimethylsilyl, trichloroacetyl, trifluoroacetyl, heptafluorbutyryl, pentafluoro- benzoyl and propyl derivatives.

High-performance liquid chromatography HPLC is a technique in which a pressurised liquid solvent containing the sample mixture pass through a column filled with a solid adsorbent material. Each component in the sample interacts slightly differently with the adsorbent material, causing different flow rates for the different elements and leading to the separation of the components as they flow out of the column. Different types of detectors e. HPLC has overtaken GC in popularity for toxicology determination and can provide a high degree of flexibility with reduced risk of compound degradation during analysis.

In liquid chromatography- mass spectrometry LC-MS the components are separated according to the same mechanism of HPLC, while mass spectrometry provides structural identity of the individual elements with high molecular specificity and detection sensitivity. LC-MS is the technique with higher flexibility and precision.

ICP-OES uses the inductively coupled plasma to produce excited atoms and ions that emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths characteristic of a particular element 28 while AA uses the absorption of optical radiation light by free atoms in the gaseous state.

Figure 1. AMES Polydiagnostic Centre is a private laboratory with forensic sector accredited at the Italian National Health service for forensic and industrial toxicology. As shown in figure 2, forensic samples arrive from all over Italy. This wide distribution offers an opportunity to obtain an accurate population study. Figure 2. Distribution of forensic samples in the Italian territory.

The behavioural or human performance toxicology analysis represents by far the main portion of work for AMES. Figure 3. Types of forensic analyses in AMES polydiagnostic centre The greater percentage of behavioural or human performance toxicology analysis relates to alcohol abuse or drugs. In a total of tests were done relating to the quantification of carbohydrate deficient transferrin CDT as a marker of heavy continuative alcohol abuse CDT is impaired when there is a daily intake of 80 grams of alcohol for at least 2 weeks and analyses were completed regarding the screening of urinary samples for drug testing Marijuana, Cocaine, Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Morphine and Buprenorphine.

In addition, tests were made by gas chromatography-flame induction detection to determine the level of ethanol in blood.

Less other behavioural or human performance toxicology analyses were in relation to the quantification of neuroleptics, steroids and metals. Fig 4. This article is useful to highlight the importance of forensic analyses for private clinical laboratories.

However, even this low number has a strong influence on company turnover as toxicology analyses have a significant high profit margin.

In conclusion, this article aimed to explain how the field of Forensic Toxicology is continuing to expand, and that it will be important for a successful laboratory to improve this area of business. Apart from his working activity on the detection of drugs and metabolites in biological matrices, his research interests are focused on the design of novel delivery platforms able to minimize degradation, prevent undesirable side effects, and increase bioavailability of drugs or genetic materials.

He also follows different projects as an independent researcher and has authored several research papers. His email address is raffaele. November 12, Home Resources The Newsletter: No. Introduction Definition Forensic toxicology is defined as the science of applying the principles of analytical chemistry and toxicology for medico-legal purposes. Distribution of forensic samples in the Italian territory The behavioural or human performance toxicology analysis represents by far the main portion of work for AMES.

Types of forensic analyses in AMES polydiagnostic centre The greater percentage of behavioural or human performance toxicology analysis relates to alcohol abuse or drugs. Conclusion This article is useful to highlight the importance of forensic analyses for private clinical laboratories. Principles and Procedures in Forensic Toxicology. Clin Lab Med. Drug testing in alternate biological specimens.

Humana Press. For eg- Datura is used by that sect of the thugs who poisoned wayfarers. Even today the poisoning and robbing of travelers was of frequent occurrence in India. Therefore, the administration of a poison is a criminal offence whenever-. In so far as the Indian legal system and its position is concerned, when Indian Evidence Act or the Code of Criminal Procedure, were enacted, legislature could not anticipate the tremendous development of modern science and technology and its deep impact on the forensic science as well as well as administration of justice.

However, the Supreme Court has opined, in a case concerning specifically with the medical examination of a victim of rape, that medical jurisprudence is not an exact science. Therefore such evidences have to be seen along with the physical and circumstantial evidence in every case.

For collection of blood samples, S. So it shall be lawful for a registered medical practitioner at the request of the police officer not below the rank of sub-inspector and for any person acting in good faith in his aid and under his direction, to make such an examination of the person arrested as is reasonably necessary in order to ascertain the facts which may afford such evidence and to use such force as is reasonably necessary.

This section does not specifically say whether it would be applicable for DNA tests also. This section does not state that the police officer shall be entitled to personally collect semen, blood, hair root, urine, vaginal swab, etc for the purpose of investigation himself. The new Explanation now stands which include within its ambit examination of blood, blood stains, semen, sputum, swabs, sweat, hair samples and finger nails by the use of modern techniques in the case of sexual offences including DNA profiling and such other tests which is necessary in a particular case.

Though, S. By issuing direction to the police officer to collect blood samples from the accused and conduct DNA test for the purpose of further investigation under S. The incidence of poisoning in India is among the highest in the world, and it is estimated that more than 50, people die every year from toxic exposure. The commonest agents in India appear to be pesticides organophosphates, carbamates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and pyrethroids , sedative drugs, chemicals corrosive acids and copper sulfate , alcohols, plant toxins datura, oleander, strychnos, and gastro-intestinal irritants such as castor, croton, calotropis, etc.

This was the first criminal case in India solved by the help of forensics and an attempt was made by the criminals to conceal a homicide by firearm by putting the dead body on fire.

However a clever and systematic forensic investigation revealed the true cause of death. The case involved an incident in which the victim was shot by Shusil Sharma husband of the victim and then put in tandoor. After murdering his wife Sharma took her body in his car to the Bagiya restaurant, where he and restaurant manager Keshav Kumar attempted to burn her in a tandoor.

According to the lab report, "Blood sample preserved by the doctor while conducting the post mortem and the blood stains on two leads recovered from the skull and the neck of the body of deceased Naina are of 'B' blood group. Harbhajan Singh and Jaswant Kaur. Shusil Sharma was found guilty with the help of forensic evidences. Subsequently with the help of these, two fathers of the church were arrested.

In year , Aarushi Talwar, the year-old daughter of a successful dentist couple, was found dead with her throat slit in her parents' home in Noida, Delhi. Along with the girl, the servant of the house Hemraj was found dead. In this case fingerprinting was applied and DNA was extracted from the clothes containing blood stains.

Also several fingerprints were found on the glasses of the house at the time of murder. The final verdict of the Court on this case is still pending. The case also discussed about the admissibility of the narco tests as legal evidence. Anant Chintaman Lagu v. If these facts are proved and there is motive, the court may be able to draw the inference, that the poison was administered by the accused to the deceased resulting in his death.

Poloniswamy v. When the murder is alleged to have been caused by poison and the medical evidence is unable to determine poison, even then conviction can be recorded if the other evidence, oral or circumstances on the record establishes the guilt of the accused.

Mahabir v. The court upheld that the fact that the heart of the deceased at the time of post-mortem examination was found to be empty would not rule out asphyxia death as a result of poisoning. It is difficult to isolate and recognize the poison in a number of cases where the deceased dies due to poisoning.

Several poisons particularly of the synthetic hypnotics and vegetable alkaloidal group do not leave any characteristic signs which can be noticed on postmortem examination. Forensic science is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to a legal system. This may be in relation to a crime or a civil action. Besides its relevance to a legal system, more generally forensics encompasses the accepted scholarly or scientific methodology and norms under which the facts regarding an event, or an artifact, or some other physical item are ascertained as being the case.

In that regard, the concept is related to the notion of authentication, where by an interest outside of a legal form exists in determining whether an object is what it purports to be, or is alleged as being. As it has been noted above that the use of drug has become a significant and social problem in the society therefore the chemical testing of biological specimens from individuals is generally accepted to be the most objective method for determining the drug use.

As such, toxicological analysis represents a tool for assessing the degree of impairment exerted by a drug or combination of drugs. With the ultimate degree of impairment being death, toxicological findings are also used to determine cause and manner of death.

Every year many people are found dead in unexplained circumstances: they may be found in bed at home or in hotels, or in squats or on open ground. Evidence found at the scene, such as empty tablet bottles, bottles of alcohol or drug-taking paraphernalia can help to indicate a drug or alcohol-related death. Toxicological analysis can be crucial in determining the cause of death and many such cases are submitted to LGC Forensics from coroners and the police. Suspicious deaths in nursing homes and hospitals are particularly challenging, as the interpretation of high levels of a prescribed drug in an individual with some tolerance to its effects can be complex.

Another application is to determine whether the actions, behavior or demeanor of a homicide subject or suspect were affected by drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident and, thereby, offer potentially mitigating circumstances when the case is brought before a jury. Data on forensic evidence collected at crime scenes included DNA material, weapons evidence, latent prints, ballistics, trace evidence, and other types of forensic evidence. Through crime lab reports, it was possible to determine the number of cases with requests for analysis by investigators and the results of the analysis by forensic scientists.

Comparisons were then made between open and closed cases from the two participating sites. Skopp, Heidelberg; L. Ther Drug Monit Handbuch gerichtliche Medizin, Bd. Emphasis on forensic application. Am J Forensic Med Pathol J Forensic Med. Forensic Med. State, AIR Bom. State of Bihar, SC As a matter of fact we know that with the advent of 21st century, the scope of a forensic toxicology service has technically and intellectually become very demanding.

Even though the short-comings of forensic toxicology persists in some spheres, still its role in delivering the justice and solving criminal cases has been highly appreciated and relied upon.

Yet after the limitations, the court and society at large depends on the findings of the forensic examination and reports. The growth of forensic studies in field of toxicology is witnessed because as the society advances and becomes more complex, the crime presents itself in different forms. This correspondingly necessitates the employment of modern scientific techniques in investigation.

This need of the society is taken care by the field of forensic toxicology. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Canadian Society of Forensic Science P.

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