Influence of Drugs and Toxins on Decomposition Dynamics: Forensic Implications

Autor: Shuyue Li, Zhonghao Hu, Yuming Shao, Guoan Zhang, Zheng Wang, Yadong Guo, Yu Wang, Wen Cui, Yequan Wang, Lipin Ren
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Molecules, Vol 29, Iss 22, p 5221 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 29225221
1420-3049
DOI: 10.3390/molecules29225221
Popis: Drug and toxin-related deaths are common worldwide, making it essential to detect the postmortem concentration of various toxic substances at different stages of decomposition in a corpse. Indeed, determining the postmortem interval (PMI) and cause of death in an advanced stage of decomposed corpses has been a significant challenge in forensic investigations. Notably, the presence of drugs or toxins can have a significant impact on the microbial profile, potentially altering the succession of microbial communities and subsequent production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which, in turn, affect insect colonization patterns. This review aims to highlight the importance of investigating the interactions between drugs or toxins, microbial succession, VOC profiles, and insect behavior, which can provide valuable insights into forensic investigations as well as the ecological consequences of toxins occurring in decomposition. Overall, the detection of drugs and other toxins at different stages of decomposition can yield more precise forensic evidence, thereby enhancing the accuracy of PMI estimation and determination of the cause of death in decomposed remains.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals
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