Forensic Science Review最新文献

{"title":"Toxins as Weapons: A Historical Review.","authors":"R Pita,&nbsp;A Romero","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review article summarizes the use of toxins as weapons dating from the First World War until today, when there is a high concern of possible terrorist attacks with weapons of mass destruction. All through modern history, military programs and terrorist groups have favored toxins because of their high toxicity. However, difficulties of extraction or synthesis, as well as effective dissemination to cause a large number of casualties, have been the most important drawbacks. Special emphasis is focused on ricin and botulinum toxin, the most important toxins that have attracted the attention of military programs and terrorist groups. Other toxins like trichothecenes, saxitoxin, and Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) are also discussed. A short section about anthrax is also included: Although Bacillus anthracis is considered a biological weapon rather than a toxin weapon, it produces a toxin that is finally responsible for the anthrax disease. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"26 2","pages":"85-96"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34051843","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Murder by Poisons: Cases in Taiwan, 1999-2008.","authors":"K-P Shaw,&nbsp;H-T Chen","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This review summarizes the findings from a retrospective study of 17,390 forensic autopsy cases of medicolegal investigations in Taiwan during the 1999-2008 period. Among this total, 1,874 cases involved illicit drugs and 750 involved household toxic chemicals. Rarely seen toxic substances, such as cyanide, corrosive poisons, ether, etc., were found in 6.4%percent; of homicide poisoning cases. Profiling the suspects' backgrounds may play a key role in correlating unique chemicals with the suspects' homicidal behavior. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"26 2","pages":"121-30"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"34052816","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Adverse Effects of Synthetic Cannabinoid Drugs.","authors":"S M R Gurney,&nbsp;K S Scott,&nbsp;S L Kacinko,&nbsp;B C Presley,&nbsp;B K Logan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Synthetic cannabinoid drugs have become an established part of the recreational drug landscape in the United States and internationally. These drugs are manufactured in clandestine laboratories internationally and distributed in the United States in smoking mixtures, use of which produces effects very similar to use of marijuana. The adverse-effect profile of the drugs has not been studied in humans and infrequently in animal models, so much of the information about their toxicity comes from emergency department and treatment reports and forensic case studies. This review considers the discovery and characterization of the endocannabinoid system, approaches to receptor-binding studies of various synthetic cannabinoids from the first wave of naphthoylindoles (e.g., JWH-018) to the emerging adamantoylindole drugs (e.g., AKB-48), and their analogs, to evaluate the potential activity of drugs in this class. Currently employed approaches to assessing functional activity of the drugs using in vitro and in vivo models is also described, and comparisons made to the effects of THC. The physiological effects of activation of the endocannabinoid system in humans are reviewed, and the physiological effects of cannabinoid use are described. Case reports of adverse events including emergency department admissions, mental health admissions, and clinical and forensic case reports are presented in detail and discussed to summarize the current state of knowledge of adverse effects, both clinical and forensic in humans, including effects on driving ability, and tissue injury and death. The greatest weight is accorded to those reports that include toxicological confirmation of use. Finally, we discuss the current status of attempts to schedule and control the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids and the relevance of receptor binding and functional activity in this context. There is growing toxicological and pharmacological evidence of impairment, psychosis, tissue injury, and isolated deaths attributable to this emerging class of drugs. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"26 1","pages":"53-78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33949138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"On-Site Detection as a Countermeasure to Chemical Warfare/Terrorism.","authors":"Y Seto","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On-site monitoring and detection are necessary in the crisis and consequence management of wars and terrorism involving chemical warfare agents (CWAs) such as sarin. The analytical performance required for on-site detection is mainly determined by the fatal vapor concentration and volatility of the CWAs involved. The analytical performance for presently available on-site technologies and commercially available on-site equipment for detecting CWAs interpreted and compared in this review include: classical manual methods, photometric methods, ion mobile spectrometry, vibrational spectrometry, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, sensors, and other methods. Some of the data evaluated were obtained from our experiments using authentic CWAs. We concluded that (a) no technologies perfectly fulfill all of the on-site detection requirements and (b) adequate on-site detection requires (i) a combination of the monitoring-tape method and ion-mobility spectrometry for point detection and (ii) a combination of the monitoring-tape method, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry with counterflow introduction, and gas chromatography with a trap and special detectors for continuous monitoring. The basic properties of CWAs, the concept of on-site detection, and the sarin gas attacks in Japan as well as the forensic investigations thereof, are also explicated in this article. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"26 1","pages":"23-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33949137","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Alcohol Limits and Public Safety.","authors":"D V Canfield,&nbsp;K M Dubowski,&nbsp;M Cowan,&nbsp;P M Harding","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>On May 14, 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended lowering the legal blood-alcohol limit to 0.05 g/dL for motor vehicle operators in the United States, in an effort to reduce the risk of injuries and deaths caused by a driver's alcohol impairment (NTSB/SR-13/01). This recommendation has prompted other organizations and agencies, including the National Safety Council, to evaluate and consider supporting this action. In order to determine the scientific and legal feasibility and advisability of lowering or establishing 0.05 per se laws, we examined 554 alcohol-related publications. Risk factors, instrument reliability, law enforcement, and adjudication issues were considered in this overview of the literature. The extensive scientific literature reviewed provides ample support for lowering the operation of motor vehicle alcohol limits to 0.05, and for supporting the NTSB recommendations. Research clearly demonstrates that impairment begins at very low concentrations, well below the recommended NTSB limit, and increases with concentration. Lowering the limit to 0.05 will save many lives and prevent injuries. Breath, blood, and saliva samples have proved to be accurate and reliable specimens for legal acceptability in a court of law. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"26 1","pages":"9-22"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2014-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33949136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biology and Genetics of New Autosomal STR Loci Useful for Forensic DNA Analysis.","authors":"J. Butler, C. Hill","doi":"10.1201/B15361-13","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/B15361-13","url":null,"abstract":"Short tandem repeats (STRs) are regions of tandemly repeated DNA segments found throughout the human genome that vary in length (through insertion, deletion, or mutation) with a core repeated DNA sequence. Forensic laboratories commonly use tetranucleotide repeats, containing a four base pair (4-bp) repeat structure such as GATA. In 1997, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory selected 13 STR loci that form the backbone of the U.S. national DNA database. Building on the European expansion in 2009, the FBI announced plans in April 2011 to expand the U.S. core loci to as many as 20 STRs to enable more global DNA data sharing. Commercial STR kits enable consistency in marker use and allele nomenclature between laboratories and help improve quality control. The STRBase website, maintained by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), contains helpful information on STR markers used in human identity testing.","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"24 1 1","pages":"15-26"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1201/B15361-13","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65986520","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deep-Sequencing Technologies and Potential Applications in Forensic DNA Testing.","authors":"Roxanne R. Zascavage, Shantanu J. Shewale, J. Planz","doi":"10.1201/B15361-18","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1201/B15361-18","url":null,"abstract":"Development of second- and third-generation DNA sequencing technologies have enabled an increasing number of applications in different areas such as molecular diagnostics, gene therapy, monitoring food and pharmaceutical products, biosecurity, and forensics. These technologies are based on different biochemical principles such as monitoring released pyrophosphate upon incorporation of a base (pyrosequencing), fluorescence detection subsequent to reversible incorporation of a fluorescently labeled terminator base, ligation based approach wherein fluorescence of cleaved nucleotide after ligation is measured, measuring the proton released after incorporation of a base (semiconductor-based sequencing), monitoring incorporation of a nucleotide by measuring the fluorescence of the fluorophore attached to the phosphate chain of the nucleotide, and by detecting the altered charge in a protein nanopore due to released nucleotide by exonuclease cleavage of a DNA strand. Analysis of multiple DNA fragments in parallel increases the depth of coverage while decreasing labor, cost, and time, highlighting some major advantages of deep-sequencing technologies. DNA sequencing has been routinely used in the forensic laboratories for mitochondrial DNA analysis. Fragment analysis, however, is the preferred method for Short Tandem Repeat genotyping due to the cumbersome and costly nature of fi rst-generation DNA sequencing methodologies. Deep-sequencing technologies have brought a new perspective to forensic DNA analysis. Studies include STR analysis to reveal hidden variation in the repeat regions, mtDNA sequencing, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism analysis, mixture resolution, and body fluid identification. Recent publications reveal that attempts are being made to expand the capability.","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"25 1-2 1","pages":"79-105"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1201/B15361-18","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"65986625","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forensic Analysis of Cathinones.","authors":"L Gautam,&nbsp;A Shanmuganathan,&nbsp;M D Cole","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the past decade there has been a significant increase in the popularity of synthetic cathinones in the illegal drug market. They have been easily available from Internet-based vendors as well as at \"head shops\" and \"smart shops\". The recent prominence of synthetic cathinones can be attributed to their stimulatory properties similar to those of amphetamines. This paper provides a review on the current popular cathinone derivatives, their history and prevalence in the illegal drug market, legislation of these drugs in various countries, pharmacology, toxicology, and metabolism studies, analysis of toxicology samples (blood, urine, and hair) and criminalistic samples (seized, purchased via the Internet, and synthesized). From the reviewed literature, it is concluded that the products sold as \"legal highs\" do not only contain cathinone but also cathinone derivatives, and adulterants such as caffeine, lidocaine, and inorganic materials. Full toxicity data is currently unavailable for this drug class and hence more research is required with regard to their analysis and metabolism. Moreover, clandestine chemists are constantly synthesizing new derivatives and hence forensic chemists often need to synthesize and characterize these drugs to confirm the identity of the seized samples. This is expensive as well as time-consuming. Therefore, there is a need for national and international collaboration among forensic chemists to overcome this difficulty. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"25 1-2","pages":"47-64"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33881865","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Analysis of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Botanical Material: A Review of Analytical Methods and Findings.","authors":"B C Presley,&nbsp;S A Jansen-Varnum,&nbsp;B K Logan","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Synthetic cannabinoid analogs have gained a great deal of attention from the forensic community within the last four years. The compounds found to be of most interest to forensic practitioners include those of the following series: JWH, CP, HU, AM, WIN, RCS, and most recently, XLR and UR. Structurally the HU compounds are most similar in structure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana. The novel compounds include cyclohexylphenols, naphthoylindoles, naphthylmethylindoles, naphthylmethylindenes, benzoylindoles, naphthoylpyrroles, phenylacetylindoles, adamantoylindoles, and tetramethylcyclopropylindoles. Many of these compounds are cannabinoid receptor agonists and were originally synthesized for medical research purposes but have recently been appropriated into the illicit drug market. Their psychoactive effects, mimicking those of marijuana, as well as their indeterminate legal status, have made them popular for recreational use. Solutions of the compounds dissolved in organic solvents are sprayed onto botanical material and sold as \"herbal incense\" products via the Internet, and in smoke shops, convenience stores, and gas stations around the world. Many of the products are labeled \"Not for human consumption\" in an attempt to circumvent legislation that bans the sale and manufacture of certain compounds and their analogs for human use. The compounds that were first detected following forensic analysis of botanical materials included JWH-018, JWH-073, and CP 47,497 (C7 and C8 homologs). However, in the four years since their appearance the number of compounds has grown, and additional diverse classes of compounds have been detected. Governments worldwide have taken action in an attempt to control those compounds that have become widespread in their regions. This article discusses the history of synthetic cannabinoids and how they have been detected in the illicit drug market. It also discusses the analytical methods and techniques used by forensic scientists to analyze botanical products obtained via the Internet or from law enforcement investigations and arrests. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"25 1-2","pages":"27-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33881864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Matrix Effects in the Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method of Analysis.","authors":"H-C Liu,&nbsp;D-L Lin,&nbsp;H H McCurdy","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Matrix effects are dependent on biological fluid, ionization type, and sample preparation method. Although matrix effects are observed for both ionization types, ESI is especially susceptible, while APCI has proved to be less vulnerable. Sample preparation method has a clear influence on matrix effects as does, in particular, the choice of internal standard. When matrix effects result in severe ion suppression or enhancement of the target analyte by co-eluting residual components, they are typically located in isolated regions of the chromatogram. Postcolumn infusion and postextraction addition methods have been developed for the assessments of matrix effects. Approaches used for eliminating, minimizing, or compensating for matrix effects include improved sample preparation and chromatographic separation, sample dilution, and the utilization of internal standards. Matrix effects may not always be fully circumventable because a perfectly consistent matrix does not exist, but they can be significantly minimized and largely compensated for by various approaches, such as standard addition, matrixmatched calibration, and the use of isotopic analogs of the analytes as internal standards. </p>","PeriodicalId":38192,"journal":{"name":"Forensic Science Review","volume":"25 1-2","pages":"65-78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2013-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33881866","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}