FOrENsIC TOXICOLOGy IN 2011

Abstract

In recent years, progress in forensic toxicology has concerned four areas which are closely and logically interrelated. Sensitive and specific analytical tools, such as chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, are currently available. These techniques have made toxicological investigations possible in unconventional biological
matrix. For instance, the research of psychotropic drugs in hair enables retrospective toxicological examinations
in a routine way. Both efficient analytical techniques and unconventional biological matrix exploitation have allowed for the use of new markers: i.e. ethylglucuronide, a minor metabolite of alcohol. Finally, quality systems (accreditation) are crucial for the interpretation of results, taking into account the pre and post analytic environment, and
a perfect traceability.