Problems of Forensic Sciences 2000 Vol. 42 (XLII) 9-23
SUMMA TECHNOLOGIAE TOXICOLOGIAE FORENSIS
Maciej J. BOGUSZ
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Aachen University of Technology, Aachen, Germany
Streszczenie
The importance and role of technical progress in forensic toxicology are reviewed, taking into account the most difficult problems of the discipline. Modern analytical techniques have not only made it possible to determine some previously inaccessible substances, but have also been applied to difficult problems of interpretation. The ability to identify certain metabolites has not only made it possible to gain unequivocal evidence of exposure to a given substance but also to identify the route of exposure. It is therefore beyond doubt that the use of sophisticated instrumentation, particularly chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometric detection has been a prerequisite of progress both in the detection of various drugs and the interpretation of gathered data. However, the high costs of instrumentation have created financial pressure, which may jeopardize the development of forensic toxicology as a discipline. The main task of this discipline is to explain the relationship between an analytical finding and its biological effect - in the service of Justice. This task sometimes seems to be neglected in favour of pure technological, analytical achievements. It should be kept in mind that all modern, sophisticated, expensive instruments are only tools for collecting information, which must not be confused with knowledge or wisdom.
Słowa kluczowe
Forensic toxicology; Drug testing; GC/MS; LC/MS.