The application of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques is gaining more and more interest in analytical toxicology, particularly clinical and forensic toxicology [1, 2]. Metabolomics as example, is usually considered as the targeted or untargeted profiling of endogenous, low-molecular-weight compounds and their relative or absolute variations as response to a certain event such as drug (of abuse) intake. Often the terms pharmacometabolomics or toxicometabolomics (in case of not therapeutically used drugs) are used for such investigations [1]. Most studies in both fields, clinical and forensic toxicology, were to date dedicated to understand the acute or chronic effects of drug intake, drug addiction, and/or finding markers to verify their (chronic) consumption [3]. However, certainly more studies are needed to elucidate the benefit of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques in clinical and forensic toxicology particularly in contrast to already established techniques. The talk will discuss some of these previous studies, highlight recent developments, and conclude with an outlook.

The application of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques is gaining more and more interest in analytical toxicology, particularly clinical and forensic toxicology [1, 2]. Metabolomics as example, is usually considered as the targeted or untargeted profiling of endogenous, low-molecular-weight compounds and their relative or absolute variations as response to a certain event such as drug (of abuse) intake. Often the terms pharmacometabolomics or toxicometabolomics (in case of not therapeutically used drugs) are used for such investigations [1]. Most studies in both fields, clinical and forensic toxicology, were to date dedicated to understand the acute or chronic effects of drug intake, drug addiction, and/or finding markers to verify their (chronic) consumption [3]. However, certainly more studies are needed to elucidate the benefit of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques in clinical and forensic toxicology particularly in contrast to already established techniques. The talk will discuss some of these previous studies, highlight recent developments, and conclude with an outlook.

The application of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques is gaining more and more interest in analytical toxicology, particularly clinical and forensic toxicology [1, 2]. Metabolomics as example, is usually considered as the targeted or untargeted profiling of endogenous, low-molecular-weight compounds and their relative or absolute variations as response to a certain event such as drug (of abuse) intake. Often the terms pharmacometabolomics or toxicometabolomics (in case of not therapeutically used drugs) are used for such investigations [1]. Most studies in both fields, clinical and forensic toxicology, were to date dedicated to understand the acute or chronic effects of drug intake, drug addiction, and/or finding markers to verify their (chronic) consumption [3]. However, certainly more studies are needed to elucidate the benefit of OMICS or OMICS-like techniques in clinical and forensic toxicology particularly in contrast to already established techniques. The talk will discuss some of these previous studies, highlight recent developments, and conclude with an outlook.

The administration of doping substances modifies athletes’ metabolism, giving them an illicit advantage over their fair competitors. If administered in specific conditions (e.g. micro-doses), the signature of such prohibited substances, such as the substance itself and metabolites (markers-ofexposure), disappear from athletes’ bio-fluids within hours or few days, while their effect on the metabolism (markers-of-effect) remain longer (sometimes over weeks). This gap between the administration detectability and the administration effect is one of the main limitation in anti-doping, which currently targets (mostly) the markers-of-exposure. Anti-doping strategies are now moving towards the detection of markers-of-effect approaching omics technologies [1], especially metabolomics[2]. Indeed, a modified metabolism is the resulting effect of a specific cause, and metabolomics is the leading strategy to highlight fine changes in metabolism. In the last twenty years, metabolomics has been demonstrated to be very effective in the detection of markers-of-effect in several fields and several organisms. Official metabolomics-based methods for doping detection are now applied in the livestock control field [3]. Human doping makes no exception, and evidences of the efficiency of metabolomics to detect doping are popping out [4]. Translating the result of such researches into official methods is the main challenge, as variability between subject and the other factors might cloud the effect of the treatment and invalidate the research findings or reduce the methods’ efficiency[5]. Theory, application and current limitations will be discussed during the talk.

The administration of doping substances modifies athletes’ metabolism, giving them an illicit advantage over their fair competitors. If administered in specific conditions (e.g. micro-doses), the signature of such prohibited substances, such as the substance itself and metabolites (markers-ofexposure), disappear from athletes’ bio-fluids within hours or few days, while their effect on the metabolism (markers-of-effect) remain longer (sometimes over weeks). This gap between the administration detectability and the administration effect is one of the main limitation in anti-doping, which currently targets (mostly) the markers-of-exposure. Anti-doping strategies are now moving towards the detection of markers-of-effect approaching omics technologies [1], especially metabolomics[2]. Indeed, a modified metabolism is the resulting effect of a specific cause, and metabolomics is the leading strategy to highlight fine changes in metabolism. In the last twenty years, metabolomics has been demonstrated to be very effective in the detection of markers-of-effect in several fields and several organisms. Official metabolomics-based methods for doping detection are now applied in the livestock control field [3]. Human doping makes no exception, and evidences of the efficiency of metabolomics to detect doping are popping out [4]. Translating the result of such researches into official methods is the main challenge, as variability between subject and the other factors might cloud the effect of the treatment and invalidate the research findings or reduce the methods’ efficiency[5]. Theory, application and current limitations will be discussed during the talk.

The administration of doping substances modifies athletes’ metabolism, giving them an illicit advantage over their fair competitors. If administered in specific conditions (e.g. micro-doses), the signature of such prohibited substances, such as the substance itself and metabolites (markers-ofexposure), disappear from athletes’ bio-fluids within hours or few days, while their effect on the metabolism (markers-of-effect) remain longer (sometimes over weeks). This gap between the administration detectability and the administration effect is one of the main limitation in anti-doping, which currently targets (mostly) the markers-of-exposure. Anti-doping strategies are now moving towards the detection of markers-of-effect approaching omics technologies [1], especially metabolomics[2]. Indeed, a modified metabolism is the resulting effect of a specific cause, and metabolomics is the leading strategy to highlight fine changes in metabolism. In the last twenty years, metabolomics has been demonstrated to be very effective in the detection of markers-of-effect in several fields and several organisms. Official metabolomics-based methods for doping detection are now applied in the livestock control field [3]. Human doping makes no exception, and evidences of the efficiency of metabolomics to detect doping are popping out [4]. Translating the result of such researches into official methods is the main challenge, as variability between subject and the other factors might cloud the effect of the treatment and invalidate the research findings or reduce the methods’ efficiency[5]. Theory, application and current limitations will be discussed during the talk.

Chemical analysis of latent fingermarks, otherwise known as “touch chemistry”, may be able to provide leads or other forensically-relevant information in criminal investigations. Our laboratory has evaluated this potential for touch chemistry using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization / time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS) to obtain molecular spatial distribution of target drugs and explosives across fingermark residues. The purpose of this research was to develop and optimize an effective method capable of detecting drugs and explosives in fingermark residues. Synthetic latent print reference pads were used to evaluate comparability to natural fingermark residues. The findings related to the artificial amino acid and sebaceous oil residue pads demonstrated that they were not suitable mimics of fingermarks natural chemistry when analyzed by MALDI/TOF MS; however, the pads were useful for experimental design and method development. Ten volunteers deposited fingerprints containing drug (pseudoephedrine and procaine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) residues onto glass microscope slides. Fingermarks were processed using conventional fingerprint development methods, as well as a MALDI matrix. Qualitative identifications were based on ion images and spectra. The highest average detection rates (88%) were observed using fingerprint powder and MALDI matrix. Fingerprint powder coupled with lifting (52%) and cyanoacrylate fuming (18%) were not as successful. The feasibility of detecting drugs and explosives after casual contact with pills, powders, and residues were also evaluated. When whole or broken pills were handled, insufficient residues from the targeted drugs were transferred to natural fingermark to allow for definitive detection. However, drug (procaine and pseudoephedrine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) powders and residues were successfully identified in fingermarks under laboratory conditions using conventional fingerprint development methods and MALDI matrix. Our results suggest continued development of touch chemistry applications could prove useful for intelligence and investigations.

Chemical analysis of latent fingermarks, otherwise known as “touch chemistry”, may be able to provide leads or other forensically-relevant information in criminal investigations. Our laboratory has evaluated this potential for touch chemistry using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization / time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS) to obtain molecular spatial distribution of target drugs and explosives across fingermark residues. The purpose of this research was to develop and optimize an effective method capable of detecting drugs and explosives in fingermark residues. Synthetic latent print reference pads were used to evaluate comparability to natural fingermark residues. The findings related to the artificial amino acid and sebaceous oil residue pads demonstrated that they were not suitable mimics of fingermarks natural chemistry when analyzed by MALDI/TOF MS; however, the pads were useful for experimental design and method development. Ten volunteers deposited fingerprints containing drug (pseudoephedrine and procaine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) residues onto glass microscope slides. Fingermarks were processed using conventional fingerprint development methods, as well as a MALDI matrix. Qualitative identifications were based on ion images and spectra. The highest average detection rates (88%) were observed using fingerprint powder and MALDI matrix. Fingerprint powder coupled with lifting (52%) and cyanoacrylate fuming (18%) were not as successful. The feasibility of detecting drugs and explosives after casual contact with pills, powders, and residues were also evaluated. When whole or broken pills were handled, insufficient residues from the targeted drugs were transferred to natural fingermark to allow for definitive detection. However, drug (procaine and pseudoephedrine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) powders and residues were successfully identified in fingermarks under laboratory conditions using conventional fingerprint development methods and MALDI matrix. Our results suggest continued development of touch chemistry applications could prove useful for intelligence and investigations.

Chemical analysis of latent fingermarks, otherwise known as “touch chemistry”, may be able to provide leads or other forensically-relevant information in criminal investigations. Our laboratory has evaluated this potential for touch chemistry using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization / time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF MS) to obtain molecular spatial distribution of target drugs and explosives across fingermark residues. The purpose of this research was to develop and optimize an effective method capable of detecting drugs and explosives in fingermark residues. Synthetic latent print reference pads were used to evaluate comparability to natural fingermark residues. The findings related to the artificial amino acid and sebaceous oil residue pads demonstrated that they were not suitable mimics of fingermarks natural chemistry when analyzed by MALDI/TOF MS; however, the pads were useful for experimental design and method development. Ten volunteers deposited fingerprints containing drug (pseudoephedrine and procaine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) residues onto glass microscope slides. Fingermarks were processed using conventional fingerprint development methods, as well as a MALDI matrix. Qualitative identifications were based on ion images and spectra. The highest average detection rates (88%) were observed using fingerprint powder and MALDI matrix. Fingerprint powder coupled with lifting (52%) and cyanoacrylate fuming (18%) were not as successful. The feasibility of detecting drugs and explosives after casual contact with pills, powders, and residues were also evaluated. When whole or broken pills were handled, insufficient residues from the targeted drugs were transferred to natural fingermark to allow for definitive detection. However, drug (procaine and pseudoephedrine) and explosive (TNT and RDX) powders and residues were successfully identified in fingermarks under laboratory conditions using conventional fingerprint development methods and MALDI matrix. Our results suggest continued development of touch chemistry applications could prove useful for intelligence and investigations.

Imaging mass spectrometry-based techniques are label-free and rely on the desorption of molecules present on the surface of a solid flat sample. The interest in molecular mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) has grown over the past few years in the field of forensic sciences because it allows the conservation of sample spatial resolution. By recording the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) signal of molecules of interest at each spatial location (i.e. pixel), a 2-D map is reconstituted as the image of their distribution within the sample [1]. This spatial information is specifically interesting in matrices where compound distribution can give more detailed case information regarding for example timings of drug intake or making a distinction between a drug user and external contamination [2,3]. This presentation will give insights in the possibilities of the newest generation of mass spectrometry imaging techniques on alternative forensic matrices such as hair and bone. Specific sample preparation as well as advantages and drawbacks of different techniques will be tackled [4]. Finally, the relevance, strengths and weaknesses of MSI results in forensics cases are discussed.

Imaging mass spectrometry-based techniques are label-free and rely on the desorption of molecules present on the surface of a solid flat sample. The interest in molecular mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) has grown over the past few years in the field of forensic sciences because it allows the conservation of sample spatial resolution. By recording the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) signal of molecules of interest at each spatial location (i.e. pixel), a 2-D map is reconstituted as the image of their distribution within the sample [1]. This spatial information is specifically interesting in matrices where compound distribution can give more detailed case information regarding for example timings of drug intake or making a distinction between a drug user and external contamination [2,3]. This presentation will give insights in the possibilities of the newest generation of mass spectrometry imaging techniques on alternative forensic matrices such as hair and bone. Specific sample preparation as well as advantages and drawbacks of different techniques will be tackled [4]. Finally, the relevance, strengths and weaknesses of MSI results in forensics cases are discussed.

Imaging mass spectrometry-based techniques are label-free and rely on the desorption of molecules present on the surface of a solid flat sample. The interest in molecular mass spectrometric imaging (MSI) has grown over the past few years in the field of forensic sciences because it allows the conservation of sample spatial resolution. By recording the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) signal of molecules of interest at each spatial location (i.e. pixel), a 2-D map is reconstituted as the image of their distribution within the sample [1]. This spatial information is specifically interesting in matrices where compound distribution can give more detailed case information regarding for example timings of drug intake or making a distinction between a drug user and external contamination [2,3]. This presentation will give insights in the possibilities of the newest generation of mass spectrometry imaging techniques on alternative forensic matrices such as hair and bone. Specific sample preparation as well as advantages and drawbacks of different techniques will be tackled [4]. Finally, the relevance, strengths and weaknesses of MSI results in forensics cases are discussed.