Forensic toxicology laboratory

Research

Validation and application of analytical methods for the detection of drugs of abuse and/or psychotropic substances in complex biological matrices for forensic purposes.

Analysis of drugs related to drug-facilitated crimes, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and other offenses against individuals.

Hair analysis to assess substances exposure: traditional drugs of abuse (cocaine, amphetamines, methampethamines, cannabinoids, opioids, methadone), new psychoactive substances (NPS), and pharmaceuticals.

Determination of persistent organic pollutants (i.e. PFAS) in biological matrices (hair, blood, tissues).

Teaching

Training is provided as part of the curricular internships and thesis work for students enrolled in the Health Biology degree program. Additionally, upon request from students in other relevant degree programs in the medical-legal and biomedical-forensic fields, specialized thesis projects are tailored to their interests. The laboratory also contributes to the educational development of medical residents at the School of Forensic Medicine and other schools within the University of Bologna.

Instrumentation

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS); gas chromatography coupled to flame ionization detector (GC-FID); Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS); high pressure liquid chromatography -diode array detector (HPLC-DAD).

Analysis

Analysis of fluids and cadaveric tissues upon request from the Judicial Authority to support forensic investigations to ascertain the cause and manner of death.

Analysis of markers of chronic alcohol abuse (ethyl glucuronide in hair and urine).

Forensic Toxicological Analysis for Certification purposes (Fitness for Driving, Workplace Drug Testing, Firearm Licensing)

Identification of Psychotropic Drugs and drugs of abuse in hair, urine, blood and other matrices collected from deceased and living Individuals for Forensic Purposes.

Toxicological-forensic and medicolegal consulting on legal cases.

The laboratory is a reference center for the Emilia Romagna Region for the execution of confirmatory analyses for in the field of workplace drug testing (Decree No. 99/CU of 30/10/2007) and the State/Regions Agreement (official acts no. 178 of 18 September 2008).

The laboratory performs analyses at the request of law enforcement agencies on non-biological materials ex art. 75 DPR 309/1990.

Provision of services for the forensic chemical toxicological investigation and analysis of biological and non-biological materials. Design and development of methods and techniques for forensic chemical toxicological investigation and analysis