TIAFT – The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists Committee of Systematic Toxicological Analysis

TIAFT 2009 special edition of Forensic Science International.

Entomotoxicology, experimental set-up and interpretation for forensic toxicologists.

Forensic entomotoxicology studies the usefulness of insects as alternative toxicological samples. Use of insects as alternative matrix for drug detection is well documented and recommended when conventional matrices such as blood, urine or internal organs are no longer available. However, several limitations of entomotoxicology have been highlighted, especially concerning interpretation of the ...

Drug Related Deaths in Tehran, Iran: Toxicological, Death and Crime Scene Investigations

Background: To determine the role of drugs in fatal overdose, analyses were done on samples obtained from autopsy examination and death and crime scene investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of toxicology analyses of postmortem biological and non-biological samples belonging to a subject in determining the forensic cause of death. Methods: Toxicological analysi...

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in forensic toxicology.

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has evolved from a topic of mainly research interest into a routinely usable tool in various application fields. With the advent of new ionization approaches, especially atmospheric pressure, the technique has established itself firmly in many areas of research. Although many applications prove that LC-MS is a valuable complementary analytical tool to GC-...

Heroin Body Packer’s Death in Shiraz, Iran; a Case Report and Literature Review

Background: Intra-corporeal concealment of illicit drugs known as ‘body packing’ is uncommonly reported. These drugs mainly comprise opium, heroin, cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), amphetamines, and marijuana or hashish. Body packers may also be called swallowers, internal carriers, couriers or mules.  Although this practice is not new, its medical complications have alway...