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Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019-2022.

ABSTRACT: This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2019 to 2022 as a part of the 20th INTERPOL International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. Topics reviewed include rapid DNA testing, using law enforcement DNA databases plus investigative genetic genealogy DNA databases along with privacy/ethical issues, forensic biology and body fluid identification, DNA extraction and typing methods, mixture interpretation involving probabilistic genotyping software (PGS), DNA transfer and activity-level evaluations, next-generation sequencing (NGS), DNA phenotyping, lineage markers (Y-chromosome, mitochondrial DNA, X-chromosome), new markers and approaches (microhaplotypes, proteomics, and microbial DNA), kinship analysis and human identification with disaster victim identification (DVI), and non-human DNA testing including wildlife forensics. Available books and review articles are summarized as well as 70 guidance documents to assist in quality control that were published in the past three years by various groups within the United States and around the world.

SUBMITTER: Butler JM

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9813539 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019-2022.

Butler John M JM

Forensic science international. Synergy 20221227

This review paper covers the forensic-relevant literature in biological sciences from 2019 to 2022 as a part of the 20th INTERPOL International Forensic Science Managers Symposium. Topics reviewed include rapid DNA testing, using law enforcement DNA databases plus investigative genetic genealogy DNA databases along with privacy/ethical issues, forensic biology and body fluid identification, DNA extraction and typing methods, mixture interpretation involving probabilistic genotyping software (PGS ...[more]

PMID: 36618991

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Project description:PurposeThe emergence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has been being a continuous and evolving problem for more than a decade. Every year, dozens of new, previously unknown drugs appear on the illegal market, posing a significant threat to the health and lives of their users. Synthetic cathinones are one of the most numerous and widespread groups among NPS. The purpose of this work was to identify and summarize available data on newly emerging cathinones in very recent years.MethodsVarious online databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, but also databases of government agencies including those involved in early warning systems, were used in search of reports on the identification of newly emerging synthetic cathinones. In addition, threads on various forums created by users of these drugs were searched for reports on the effects of these new substances.ResultsWe have identified 29 synthetic cathinones that have been detected for the first time from early 2019 to mid-2022. We described their structures, known intoxication symptoms, detected concentrations in biological material in poisoning cases, as well as the countries and dates of their first appearance. Due to the lack of studies on the properties of the novel compounds, we compared data on the pharmacological profiles of the better-known synthetic cathinones with available information on the newly emerged ones. Some of these new agents already posed a threat, as the first cases of poisonings, including fatal ones, have been reported.ConclusionsMost of the newly developed synthetic cathinones can be seen as analogs and replacements for once-popular compounds that have been declining in popularity as a result of legislative efforts. Although it appears that some of the newly emerging cathinones are not widely used, they may become more popular in the future and could become a significant threat to health and life. Therefore, it is important to continue developing early warning systems and identifying new compounds so that their widespread can be prevented.

Project description:ImportanceXylazine is increasingly reported in street drugs and fatal overdoses in the US, yet state-level data are limited, hampering local public health responses.ObjectiveTo gather available state-level data on xylazine involvement in overdose deaths and in forensic drug reports.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study was a secondary analysis of 2019 to 2022 data from the National Forensic Laboratory Information System (NFLIS), National Center for Health Statistics, and individual states' medical examiner or public health agency reports. Data were analyzed from August to October 2023.ExposureState.Main outcomes and measuresYearly xylazine-related overdose deaths per 100 000 residents; xylazine NFLIS drug reports, both per 100 000 residents and as a percentage of all NFLIS drug reports (from samples of drugs seized by law enforcement and analyzed by NFLIS-participating laboratories).ResultsA total of 63 state-years were included in analyses of mortality rates, while 204 state-years were included in analyses of NFLIS reports. According to the publicly available data compiled in this study, at least 43 states reported at least 1 xylazine-related overdose death from 2019 to 2022, yet yearly totals of xylazine-related deaths were available for only 21 states. Of states with data available, xylazine-involved overdose death rates were highest in Vermont (10.5 per 100 000 residents) and Connecticut (9.8 per 100 000 residents) in 2022. In 2019, 16 states had zero xylazine reports included in NFLIS reports; in 2022, only 2 states had zero xylazine reports and all but 3 states had recorded an increase in xylazine's representation in NFLIS reports. In 2022, xylazine represented 16.17% of all NFLIS reports in Delaware and between 5.95% and 7.00% of NFLIS reports in Connecticut, Maryland, District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, yet less than 1.0% of NFLIS reports in 35 different states.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study of publicly available data on fatal overdoses and drugs analyzed by forensic laboratories, xylazine's reported presence in overdose deaths and forensic reports was concentrated in the eastern US yet extended across the country to encompass nearly all states. In spite of xylazine's geographic reach, yearly state-level numbers of xylazine-related overdose deaths were publicly available for less than half of all states.

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Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019-2022.

Publications

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019-2022.

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