Detection of intact insulin analogues in post-mortem vitreous humour-Application to forensic toxicology casework.

The application of proteomic techniques to forensic science widens the range of analytical capabilities available to forensic laboratories when answering complex toxicology problems. Currently, these techniques are underutilised in post-mortem toxicology because of the historic focus on smaller (<1,000 amu) drug molecules. Definitive confirmation of an insulin overdose by analysis of post-mortem biological matrices is rare and challenging, however can assist coronial investigations pertaining to accidental or intentional overdoses in both diabetic and nondiabetic populations. A semiautomated micro-solid phase extraction paired with mass spectrometry-based insulin methodology was developed and validated for routine use in a Forensic Coronial Toxicology Laboratory. This resulting work reports the first Australian cases where synthetic insulins were confirmed by mass spectrometry in the vitreous humour of Type 1 diabetics who intentionally or accidentally overdosed on their prescription medication glargine and aspart. The detection of glargine M1 in Case 1, aspart in Case 2 and glargine M1 was indicated in Case 3. This paper highlights advancements in forensic coronial toxicology and the promising potential of proteomic analysis in a forensic context.

Isotopic profiling of seized benzylpiperazine and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine tablets using δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes.

This paper demonstrates the use of isotopic analysis of 23 benzylpiperazine (BZP) and trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine (TFMPP) containing tablets seized on two independent occasions by the Northern Territory (NT) Police, Australia. Isolation (High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)) of BZP and TFMPP followed by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) (carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes) analysis was performed. Results are presented for δ13C and δ15N values of the respective piperazine analogues. The isotopic data and statistical analysis suggest a common source of manufacture for the BZP samples but suggest different sources for the TFMPP isolated from the corresponding BZP containing tablets investigated. The use of IRMS in this case study demonstrated the ability to obtain information regarding the BZP/TFMPP sources unattainable via conventional chemical analysis.

Precursor discrimination of designer drug benzylpiperazine using δ13C and δ15N stable isotopes.

Advances in analytical technology and emerging techniques have resulted in the increased exploitation of chemical and isotopic profiling for source linkage/discrimination of illicit drugs for forensic purposes. Although not routinely used for illicit drug investigations, such information has been obtained and its application demonstrated through the use of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). There is a solid platform of research available relating to the isotopic analysis of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and methamphetamine (MA), however with the recently flourishing designer drug market it was of interest to examine the isotopic profiles of the popular 'party drug' benzylpiperazine hydrochloride (BZP·HCl). A preliminary analysis of δ13C and δ15N isotopic ratios in BZP·HCl products and corresponding synthetic intermediates (piperazine·HCl) synthesized in-house from three different precursor suppliers was conducted using IRMS. Analysis of the δ13C and δ15N isotopic data indicated that discrimination and correct grouping of all the intermediates and some of the product samples examined in this study were achievable.