Review on Collection , Preservation and Fowarding of Biological Samples for Toxicological Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag, University.

2 Lecturer of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicoogy, Faculty of Medicine - Sohag University.

3 Department of, Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicology Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Egypt.

4 Demonstrator in the Department of Forensic Medicine & Clinical Toxicoogy, Faculty of Medicine - Sohag University.

Abstract

Forensic Toxicology is the study and practice of the application of toxicology to the purposes of the law. The relevance of any finding is determined, in the first instance, by the nature and integrity of the specimen(s) submitted for analysis. This means that there are several specific challenges to select and collect specimens for ante-mortem
and post-mortem toxicology investigation. Post-mortem specimens may be numerous and can endow some special difficulties compared to clinical specimens, namely those resulting from autolytic and putrefactive changes. Storage stability is also an important issue to be considered during the pre-analytic phase, since its consideration should facilitate the assessment of sample quality and the analytical result obtained from that sample. The knowledge on degradation mechanisms and methods to increase storage stability may enable the forensic toxicologist to circumvent possible difficulties. Therefore, advantages and limitations of specimen preservation procedures are thoroughly discussed in this review. Presently, harmonized protocols for sampling in suspected intoxications would have obvious utility. In the present review an overview is given on sampling procedures for routinely collected specimens as well as on alternative specimens that may provide additional information on the route and timing of exposure to a specific xenobiotic. Last, but not least, how to forward a correct report and how to interpret a toxicological results is provided. This comprehensive review article is intented as a significant help for forensic toxicologists to accomplish their frequently overwhelming mission.

Keywords

References

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Sohag Medical Journal
Volume 22, Issue 1
January 2018
Pages 431-438

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