Forensic Toxicology

Postmortem distribution of ropivacaine and its metabolite in human body fluids and solid tissues by GC-MS/MS using standard addition method
Zhang X, Wang S, Chen Y, Gu J, Wang M, Dai Y, Zhao K, Wang Y, Wurita A and Hasegawa K
An analytical method was developed for determining ropivacaine and its main metabolite, 3-hydroxyropivacaine in biomedical samples using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Then, this established method was applied to investigate the distribution of ropivacaine and its metabolite in human fluids and solid tissues obtained from an authentic case ropivacaine involved.
Reply to the paper of Breuer et al.: complementary information concerning the suspected interindividual transmission of GW1516, a substance prohibited in sport, through intimate contact-a case report
Kintz P
Development of a simple estimation method of serum caffeine concentration using a point-of-care test kit for urinary caffeine
Tsujikawa K, Okada Y, Segawa H, Yamamuro T, Kuwayama K, Kanamori T and Iwata YT
Serum caffeine concentration is an indicator of caffeine intoxication; however, it is difficult to measure it in most emergency departments. We developed a simple estimation method using a point-of-care test kit for urinary caffeine.
Detection and quantification of drugs on banknotes by LC-MS/MS with a fast and non-destructive sample preparation: a comparison of three cities
Demirel G, Erol Öztürk Y, Yeter O and Aslıyüksek H
The analysis of drug residues on some currencies is well-established in the literature. However, there is no published study describing the presence of drug residues on Turkish paper currency.
Recent advances in electrochemical detection of common azo dyes
Sundaresan S and Vijaikanth V
Food forensics is an emerging field and the initial part of this review showcases the toxic effects and the instrumental methods applied for the detection of the most commonly used azo dyes. Electrochemical detection has a lot of advantages and hence the significance of the most important techniques used in the electrochemical detection is discussed. The major part of this review highlights the surface modified electrodes, utilized for the detection of the most important azo dyes to achieve low detection limit (LOD).
Mephedrone concentrations in clinical intoxications and fatal cases: a systematic review
Chen YK, Shih CP, Wang CH and Lin CC
Mephedrone, a ring-substituted synthetic cathinone derivative, gained popularity as a recreational drug in the late 2000s. Reports of fatalities related to mephedrone use have emerged with varying concentrations of blood mephedrone upon forensic investigations. This study aims to evaluate the existing literature on mephedrone concentrations in instances of clinical intoxication and fatal cases.
In vivo assessment of the nephrotoxic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA
Alzu'bi A, Abu-El-Rub E, Al-Trad B, Alzoubi H, Abu-El-Rub H, Albals D, Abdelhady GT, Bader NS, Almazari R and Al-Zoubi RM
The widespread misuse of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has led to a notable increase in reported adverse effects, raising significant health concerns. SCs use has been particularly associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the pathogenesis of SCs-induced AKI is not well-understood.
Silymarin ameliorates diazinon-induced subacute nephrotoxicity in rats via the Keap1-Nrf2/heme oxygenase-1 signaling pathway
Fath EM, Bakery HH, El-Shawarby RM, Abosalem MES, Ibrahim SS, Ebrahim N and Hegazy AM
The goal of the current study was to clarify the potential molecular mechanism underlying the protective effects of silymarin (SIL) administration against diazinon-induced subacute nephrotoxicity, with a special emphasis on the role of the Kelch-like-associated protein-1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in minimizing the oxidative stress induced by diazinon (DZN).
Effects of natural environments on drug contents in nails: comparison of drug residual rates between nails and hair to determine the drug-use history of corpses in unnatural death cases using micro-segmental analysis
Kuwayama K, Miyaguchi H, Kanamori T, Tsujikawa K, Yamamuro T, Segawa H, Okada Y and Iwata YT
We previously developed evaluation methods using micro-segmental analysis (MSA) to examine the effects of external environments on drug content in hair and nails. In this study, the effects of the natural environmental factors (water, temperature, humidity, light, and soil) on drug contents in nails were examined and compared with our previous experimental data on hair.
How to trace etomidate in illegal E-cigarettes from authentic human hair: identification, quantification and multiple-factor analysis
Xie W, Zhou L, Liu J, Li Z, Li Z, Gao W and Shi Y
The abusive consumption of illegal E-cigarettes containing etomidate (ET) can have a significant impact on public mental and physical well-being. The purpose of this study is to establish a rapid quantitative method using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the targeted screening of etomidate (ET) and its metabolite etomidate acid (ETA) in hair samples.
Bioinformatics-driven untargeted metabolomic profiling for clinical screening of methamphetamine abuse
Kesmen E, Asliyüksek H, Kök AN, Şenol C, Özli S and Senol O
Amphetamine-type stimulants are very common, and their usage is becoming a very big social problem all over the world. Thousands of addicts encounter several health problems including mental, metabolic, behavioral and neurological disorders. In addition to these, there are several reports about the elevated risk of tendency on committing criminal cases by addicted persons. Hence, methamphetamine addiction is not only an individual health problem but also a social problem. In our study, we aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of chronic usage of methamphetamine via untargeted metabolomics approach.
α-Pyrrolidinooctanophenone facilitates activation of human microglial cells via ROS/STAT3-dependent pathway
Sakai Y, Hattori J, Morikawa Y, Matsumura T, Jimbo S, Suenami K, Takayama T, Nagai A, Michiue T, Ikari A and Matsunaga T
Pyrrolidinophenone derivatives (PPs) are amphetamine-like designer drugs containing a pyrrolidine ring, and their adverse effects resemble those of methamphetamine (METH). Microglial activation has been recently suggested as a key event in eliciting the adverse effects against dysfunction of the central nervous system. The aim of this study is to clarify the mechanisms of microglial activation induced by PPs.
Elucidation of toxic effects of 1,2-diacetylbenzene: an in silico study
Nguyen HD, Vu GH, Hoang LT and Kim MS
We aimed to explore the metabolite products of 1,2-diacetylbenzene (DAB) and investigate their harmful effects, physicochemical properties, and biological activities, along with those of DAB itself.
Death due to unrecognized intoxication of nifedipine in an adult
Appuhamy P and Madunil SL
Diagnosis of drug intoxication in the medico-legal autopsy is challenging due to many factors such as non-specific clinical features and non-specific, inconclusive autopsy findings, etc. Thus, deaths due to drug intoxication can be misclassified in a low-resource setting where post-mortem toxicology testing is selective. The paper presents a fatal case of unrecognized nifedipine intoxication in an adult where the manner of death was undetermined after extensive investigation.
Metabolic profiling of the synthetic cannabinoid APP-CHMINACA (PX-3) as studied by in vitro and in vivo models
Camuto C, De-Giorgio F, Corli G, Bilel S, Mazzarino M, Marti M and Botrè F
The metabolic pathways of APP-CHMINACA were characterized to select the markers of intake for implementation into analytical assays used by the clinical and forensic communities. We have combined the evidences obtained by both in vitro experiments and administration studies on mice.
Chemical composition of Ecstasy tablets seized in Poland between 2005 and 2020
Byrska B and Stanaszek R
The most commonly associated substance found in Ecstasy tablets is MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). In our study, we showed how the composition of psychoactive ingredients in Ecstasy tablets seized on the drug market in Poland has changed in the years 2005-2020.
Incorporation of suvorexant and lemborexant into hair and their distributions after a single intake
Nitta A, Shima N, Kamata H, Wada M, Matsumoto K, Kakehashi H, Nakano-Fujii S, Matsuta S, Kamata T, Katagi M, Sato T and Nishioka H
This study examined the applicability of hair analysis as an approach to identify suvorexant (SUV) and lemborexant (LEM) intake by analyzing black hair specimens collected from study participants after a single oral administration.
Urinary excretion profiles of the orexin receptor antagonist suvorexant and its metabolites
Wada M, Kamata H, Shima N, Nitta A, Kakehashi H, Fujii S, Matsuta S, Kamata T, Katagi M and Nishioka H
Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist used in the treatment of insomnia. In this study, we investigated the urinary excretion profiles of suvorexant and its major metabolites, including conjugates, to obtain fundamental information for proving exposure to suvorexant in criminal cases.
Benzoylmesaconine alters the native structure and activity of hen egg white lysozyme: revealing possible mechanism of aconitum-induced toxicity
Marycleopha M, Johnson J, Singh A and Kumar S
This study examines the interaction between benzoylmesaconine (BMA) and hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) under various physiological conditions, aiming to determine how BMA affects the HEWL's structure and function.
Method for determination of cytisine in post-mortem biological matrices and its application to two forensic cases
Nowak K, Szpot P, Zawadzki M and Chłopaś-Konowałek A
Cytisine is the active ingredient in preparations used for smoking cessation. Its popularity is attributed to its low cost, efficacy, and low incidence of adverse effects. Additionally, its easy over-the-counter availability is also significant. This accessibility makes it a potential substance for use in suicidal attempts. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the determination of cytisine in biological material for use in clinical and forensic toxicology, and to apply this method in authentic cases.
Identification of a novel imidazole-derived GABA agonist isopropoxate: simultaneous detection and quantification of imidazole-derived analogs from human hairs in abused cases by LC-MS/MS
Zhang X, Chen Y, Liu J, Wang M, Dai Y, Zhao K, Gu J, Zhang H, Wurita A and Hasegawa K
Distribution and abuse of imidazole-derived γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists, such as etomidate and metomidate, and their analogs have been encountered frequently especially in China. The aim of this study was to identify etomidate, metomidate, propoxate, and isopropoxate more accurately by establishing a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method and applying it to real forensic cases.