Toxicology testing in the USA: what the 2018 census of medical examiner and coroner offices tells us
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.In 2018, few medical examiner and coroner offices (MECs) had in-house toxicology testing capabilities. Many MECs adapted their forensic toxicology strategies due to rising drug-related deaths, with most confirming drug screens via laboratory testing.
Area Of Science
- Forensic Science
- Public Health
- Toxicology
Background
- The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) published 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC) data.
- The 2018 CMEC surveyed over 1600 offices regarding toxicology services, staffing, infrastructure, and practices.
- This study specifically analyzes toxicology-related data from the 2018 CMEC.
Purpose Of The Study
- To evaluate the toxicology service capabilities of medical examiner and coroner offices (MECs) in the USA.
- To understand the evolution of postmortem toxicology practices in response to the drug overdose crisis.
- To assess MEC infrastructure and policies related to forensic toxicology.
Main Methods
- Utilized publicly accessible toxicology data from the 2018 Census of Medical Examiner and Coroner Offices (CMEC).
- Analyzed data on toxicology service provision, including staffing, testing capabilities, and retention schedules.
- Examined drug screening practices, confirmation testing, laboratory accreditation, and case management systems.
Main Results
- In 2018, only 5.9% of responding MECs reported internal toxicology testing capabilities.
- 57.4% of MECs modified their forensic toxicology testing strategies due to increased drug-related deaths.
- Most MECs performing drug screens (95.1%) utilized laboratory confirmation testing, though less than half had specimen retention schedules or computerized case management systems.
Conclusions
- Internal toxicology testing capacity was limited across most U.S. medical examiner and coroner offices in 2018.
- The increase in drug-related deaths has prompted changes in forensic toxicology strategies for a majority of MECs.
- Further understanding of MEC toxicology practices is crucial given the ongoing national drug overdose crisis.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
These videos have been matched automatically. Contact us if they are not relevant.
Related Concept Videos
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity refer to the ability of drugs to cause genetic defects and induce cancer, respectively. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies agents into four groups based on their carcinogenic potential. Group 1 agents are known human carcinogens; group 2A agents are probably carcinogenic to humans; group 3 agents lack data to support their role in carcinogenesis; and group 4 includes agents for which data support that they are not likely to be...
Different methods, such as visual observance of metal-ion indicators, spectroscopic techniques, and potentiometric methods, can determine the endpoint of an EDTA titration.
In the visual method, metal-ion indicators (metallochromic dyes), which have distinct colors in their free and complex forms, are added to the mixture to signal the titration's end point. They form stable complexes with metal ions, but these complexes are weaker than the corresponding metal–EDTA complexes. As a...
Drug regulation encompasses the management of drug usage by evaluating its safety and efficacy through assessments conducted by regulatory authorities. Regrettably, the history of drug regulation is marred by several catastrophic events. One such incident is the Elixir Sulfanilamide tragedy, in which the toxic compound diethyl glycol was included in a sweet-tasting medication, leading to numerous fatalities. This event prompted the enactment of the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act in 1938. Under...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) is a clinical practice that measures specific drug levels in a patient's blood or body tissues to tailor drug therapy effectively. This monitoring is critical for managing drugs with narrow therapeutic indices like digoxin and phenytoin, ensuring they are both safe and effective. For instance, monitoring theophylline levels in asthma patients involves precision and sensitivity to adjust doses according to individual responses to therapy, ensuring efficacy and...
Gastrointestinal (GI) diagnostic studies are pivotal in confirming, ruling out, diagnosing, or staging various diseases, including cancers. Following diagnosis, allocating time for discussions with the patient and providing informational resources is crucial. Diagnostic assessments of the GI tract often occur in outpatient settings like endoscopy suites or GI labs. Preparation for these tests may include dietary restrictions, fasting, liquid bowel preparations, laxatives, enemas, and the...