Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Dirk K. Wissenbach, Tina M. Binz, Andrea E. Steuer
Summary: This article is the second part of a review on advances in testing for sample manipulation of urine samples in clinical and forensic toxicology, focusing on hair as another commonly used matrix. Similar to urine manipulation, strategies to manipulate hair testing include lowering drug concentrations or adulteration. However, distinguishing between usual hair treatments and deliberate manipulation is often impossible. Identifying cosmetic hair treatments is highly relevant for hair testing and interpretation of results, and promising strategies have been proposed recently. However, challenges still remain, such as identifying forced hair-washing procedures.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Sanaa M. Aly, Alexandr Gish, Florian Hakim, Douniazad Guelmi, Vadim Mesli, Valery Hedouin, Delphine Allorge, Jean-michel Gaulier
Summary: This study aims to demonstrate the potential of entomological samples as complementary matrices for toxicological analysis in cases of advanced putrefaction. Two cases were presented to highlight the usefulness of analyzing pupae and flies in identifying substances and determining possible causes of death. The results from these analyses complemented the findings from other biological samples.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Pascal Kintz, Laurie Gheddar, Jean-Sebastien Raul
Summary: Hair testing for anabolic steroids in body hair has advantages of higher concentration and longer detection window compared to head hair. This is demonstrated in eight authentic cases where body hair concentrations were consistently higher than head hair concentrations.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Ahmed Al-Asmari, Majedah M. Altowairgi, Danih H. Al-Amoudi
Summary: This study evaluated the forensic value of ethanol biomarkers EtG and EtS under different conditions and explored their formation in diabetic individuals. Multiple bodily fluid specimens, including vitreous humor, were analyzed to accurately identify ethanol consumption and synthesis. EtG and EtS levels provided accurate insight into ethanol sources.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Huanhuan Yang, Cong Liu, Chuanhong Zhu, Yan Zheng, Juan Li, Qianyun Zhu, Hao Wang, Xiangming Fang, Quan Liu, Man Liang, Zilong Liu
Summary: A LC-MS/MS based method was developed for simultaneous determination of 10 antipsychotics from blood, hair and nails, with high recovery, low LOD and high accuracy. Significant correlations between drug concentrations in blood and hair were found, while the correlation between nails and other matrices varied depending on the drug. The analysis of hair and nail samples of suspects in forensic cases provided supporting evidence for the suspects' psychiatric state.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Theo Willeman, Nathalie Allibe, Laura Sauerbach, Anne Barret, Helene Eysseric-Guerin, Francois Paysant, Francoise Stanke-Labesque, Virgine Scolan
Summary: This case involves a nursing assistant who intentionally poisoned thirteen residents in a nursing home, resulting in ten deaths. Forensic investigation revealed that the victims had ingested a mix of psychotropic medications, causing nausea and coma. Analytical data showed concentrations of the toxins in hair and bone marrow, supporting subsequent toxicological interpretation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mansour A. Al-Zahrani, Ahmed Al-Asmari, Farouq F. Al-Zahrani, Hazel J. Torrance, David G. Watson
Summary: This study developed and validated a method for detecting main cannabinoids in hair samples, improving sensitivity for THC-COOH detection and meeting society recommendations. Experimental results demonstrate effective detection of CBN, THC, and THC-COOH concentrations in hair samples from 27 cannabis users.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Annika Nebel, Geert Mayer, Cornelius Hess, Anna Heidbreder, Walter Martz, Florian Veit
Summary: This study measured GHB concentrations in hair of patients with narcolepsy receiving daily GHB treatment to investigate whether regular intake of GHB leads to elevated levels in hair. Results showed no correlation between daily dose or duration of intake of GHB and measured GHB concentration in hair, although a significant difference between endogenous levels and levels in patients with regular daily GHB intake was found, the forensic relevance is debatable.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Triolo, Mario Spano, Roberto Buscemi, Simona Gioe, Ginevra Malta, Marija Caplinskiene, Fabio Vaiano, Elisabetta Bertol, Stefania Zerbo, Giuseppe Davide Albano, Antonina Argo
Summary: Ethyl glucuronide (EtG) is a stable ethanol metabolite that can be measured in hair to assess the influence of different pathological conditions. Liver and kidney diseases, as well as diabetes, have been found to be the main factors affecting EtG levels in hair.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Jing Hu, Wei Liu, Sujing Zhang, Ping Xiang, Hejian Wu, Hang Chen
Summary: Drug abuse/misuse is a significant global problem that affects public health, economy, and social stability. This study retrospectively analyzes the prevalence of drugs in hair samples. The analysis reviewed 19,275 hair samples requested for drug abuse/misuse analysis from February 2019 to June 2021. The results showed a relatively high positive rate of drug abuse, with higher rates among males and young people. Illegal drugs had the highest positive rate among the categories analyzed.
FORENSIC SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Dirk K. Wissenbach, Andrea E. Steuer
Summary: In many countries, adherence testing is used to monitor consumption behavior or prove abstinence. Various manipulation and adulteration strategies are employed to avoid positive test results that could have legal or economic consequences. This critical review article focuses on urine samples and discusses recent trends and strategies to improve sample adulteration and manipulation testing, including the detection of substitution and new adulteration markers.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Pascal Kintz, Laurie Gheddar, Jean-Sebastien Raul
Summary: Anabolic steroids, synthetic derivatives of testosterone, can have serious health consequences when abused. Their identification has applications in forensic toxicology, clinical settings, psychiatric disorders, and anti-doping violations. Nail clippings, despite lacking standard specimens, can serve as a unique alternative for testing, with a longer window of drug detection compared to head hair. A new method involving pulverization, sonication, extraction, and chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was developed to detect steroids in nail clippings, as demonstrated with authentic abuse cases showing low concentrations. The use of tandem mass spectrometry is essential for accurate testing.
JOURNAL OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Jennifer P. Pascali, Arianna Giorgetti, Guido Pelletti, Luca Morini, Susan Mohamed, Marta Barbaresi, Rossana Cecchi, Susi Pelotti, Paolo Fais
Summary: This study reported data on alcohol consumption among university students and found that excessive drinking was not prevalent among the student population. The study also revealed a significant level of interest in analyzing and interpreting the data, suggesting that public health promotion activities within universities could be beneficial.
FORENSIC SCIENCE MEDICINE AND PATHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Je Seop Lee, Yong Sung Cha, Seonghoon Yeon, Tae Youn Kim, Yoonsuk Lee, Jin-Geul Choi, Kyoung-Chul Cha, Kang Hyun Lee, Hyun Kim
Summary: Diagnosing patients with poisoning can be challenging in the emergency room, but using systematic toxicological analysis (STA) can help confirm clinical diagnoses and improve accuracy. This study found that after implementing an Intoxication Analysis Service, the rate of confirmed diagnoses increased, demonstrating the importance of appropriate toxicological analysis in determining the cause of poisoning and guiding treatment decisions.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Rajeev Jain, Noorfatimah Yahaya, Ahmad Husaini Mohamed, Abuzar Kabir, Lalit Pratap Chandrawanshi, Mohamed AbdElrahman, Mohammed M. Ghoneim, Shankar M. Bakkannavar
Summary: The analysis of drugs and toxicants in postmortem samples is complex, but green sample preparation techniques provide efficient and eco-friendly alternatives. This review discusses various green sample preparation approaches and highlights future directions in postmortem toxicology.
TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Florian Hakim, Shanti Nassibou, Alexandr Gish, Benjamin Lima, Jean-Francois Wiart, Camille Richeval, Jonathan Outreville, Veronique Quetard, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
Summary: This article reports a case of exhumation of a methamphetamine (MA) body packer and the toxicological analysis of hair and pellets collected from the body. The results indicate the presence of MA and amiodarone in the hair, supporting the previously established cause of death.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Thomas Gicquel, Romain Pelletier, Camille Richeval, Alexandr Gish, Florian Hakim, Pierre-Jean Ferron, Vadim Mesli, Delphine Allorge, Isabelle Morel, Jean-michel Gaulier
Summary: This study investigated the metabolites of 2-fluoro-deschloroketamine (2F-DCK) using in vitro experimental approaches and molecular networking to compare results. Thirteen metabolites were produced in vitro with additional seven metabolites found in post-mortem samples. The HLMs and HepaRG cell models were complementary in identifying specific 2F-DCK metabolites, with nor-2F-DCK and a hydrogenated metabolite proposed as reliable markers for detection in HRMS libraries.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Guillaume Drevin, Benedicte Lelievre, Jeremie Riou, Marie Briet
Summary: This retrospective study evaluated the urinary molybdenum concentration in workers exposed to the metal and found that some workers had higher post-shift molybdenum concentrations. This emphasizes the importance of molybdenum monitoring in exposed workers.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Alexandr Gish, Veronique Dumestre-Toulet, Camille Richeval, Jean-Francois Wiart, Florian Hakim, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
Summary: This study reports the pharmaceutical design of new psychoactive substances (NPS) detected in oral fluid from drivers during a music festival in 2019. The results show an increase in the proportion of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinone derivatives, and a decrease in cyclohexanones.
CURRENT PHARMACEUTICAL DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Estelle Flament, Jerome Guitton, Thomas Gicquel, Nathalie Paret, Nathalie Jarrier, Gaelle Creusat, Christine Tournoud, Magali Labadie, Jean-Michel Gaulier, Yvan Gaillard
Summary: The detection and quantification of orellanine in biological samples is crucial for the diagnosis and management of suspected cases of mushroom poisoning.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Biochemical Research Methods
Alexandr Gish, Dulciane Baes, Camille Richeval, Jean-Francois Wiart, Florian Hakim, Corentin Grenier, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Letter
Chemistry, Analytical
Thomas Gicquel, Jean-Francois Wiart, Alexandr Gish, Florian Hakim, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Biochemical Research Methods
Alexandr Gish, Camille Richeval, Jean-Francois Wiart, Benjamin Hennart, Florian Hakim, Christophe Demarly, Axelle Balgairies, Valery Hedouin, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
Summary: Analysis of keratinized samples from the whole family confirmed the mother's tramadol addiction and accidental ingestion by the infant. The case highlights the significance of analyzing keratinized matrices in such poisoning situations.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Letter
Medical Laboratory Technology
Florian Hakim, Alexandr Gish, Corentin Grenier, Camille Richeval, Jean-Francois Wiart, Elodie Lorio, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier
THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Camille Richeval, Alexandr Gish, Victoire Cottereau, Alexandre Peyre, Eric Pleignet, Sabrina Cherki, Delphine Allorge, Jean-Michel Gaulier, Damien A. Devault
Summary: Mayotte Island in France has been facing the consumption of a drug called La Chimique for many years. The first analytical results of the CHASSE-MAREE protocol revealed that SCRAs are the main psychoactive constituents of this drug. The use of SCRAs varies and the market for this drug is dispersed according to when and where samples are collected.
DRUG TESTING AND ANALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Legal
Samira Djezzar, Jean-Michel Gaulier, Charlotte Gorgiard, Marjorie Cheze, Jean-Claude Alvarez, Claire Martin, Veronique Dumestre-Toulet, Michel Lavit, Olivier Mathieu, Helene Eysseric, Emilie Berland, Carine Roussel, Yvan Gaillard, Anne-Sophie Hurtel-Lemaire, Marc Deveaux, Charlotte Pion
Summary: Drug facilitated-crime or chemical submission (DFC/CS) refers to the concealed or forced administration of psychoactive substances to a victim for criminal purposes. In France, despite prevention efforts, DFC/CS has been an epidemic for many years, as proven by a national study.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Sanaa M. Aly, Alexandr Gish, Florian Hakim, Douniazad Guelmi, Vadim Mesli, Valery Hedouin, Delphine Allorge, Jean-michel Gaulier
Summary: This study aims to demonstrate the potential of entomological samples as complementary matrices for toxicological analysis in cases of advanced putrefaction. Two cases were presented to highlight the usefulness of analyzing pupae and flies in identifying substances and determining possible causes of death. The results from these analyses complemented the findings from other biological samples.