Agnes Ambarioni, Anggy Prayudha

ALTERNATIVE MATRICES FROM THE ORAL CAVITY AS A SOURCE FOR DRUG DETECTION

Introduction

Alternative matrices from the oral cavity as a source for drug detection. Explore alternative oral matrices (fluid, teeth, dental plaque/calculus) for drug detection in forensic toxicology. Overcome limits of blood/urine with non-invasive collection & wider detection windows for legal aid.

Abstract

Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in law enforcement by detecting xenobiotic substances in the human body, aiding in legal decisions. Traditional matrices like blood and urine have significant drawbacks, such as invasiveness, susceptibility to adulteration, and limited detection windows. This paper explores alternative matrices from the oral cavity, including oral fluid, teeth, dental plaque, and dental calculus, for drug detection. Oral fluid offers non-invasive collection and reliable pharmacokinetic data, while teeth provide long-term drug detection in postmortem cases. Dental plaque and dental calculus can trap substances over time, offering insights into past drug use with less invasive sampling. These matrices reflect the overall condition of the body and provide valuable forensic information. Continued research and technological advancements are necessary to optimize their application in various forensic scenarios.

Review

This paper critically addresses persistent challenges within forensic toxicology, specifically the limitations associated with traditional biological matrices such as blood and urine. It accurately identifies issues like invasiveness, susceptibility to adulteration, and restricted detection windows as significant impediments to comprehensive forensic investigations. The central premise, exploring alternative matrices derived from the oral cavity for drug detection, is highly relevant and timely given the ongoing need for more robust, less intrusive, and reliable methods in law enforcement and legal proceedings. The abstract effectively highlights the distinct advantages offered by each proposed oral cavity matrix. Oral fluid is presented as a promising candidate due to its non-invasive collection and capacity to provide reliable pharmacokinetic data, addressing both convenience and analytical utility. Teeth are appropriately identified for their long-term drug detection capabilities, particularly valuable in postmortem scenarios where conventional samples may be degraded or unavailable. Furthermore, the inclusion of dental plaque and dental calculus as matrices capable of trapping substances over extended periods offers a unique opportunity to reconstruct past drug use patterns with less invasive sampling, thereby expanding the scope of forensic intelligence. While the abstract clearly articulates the potential of these alternative matrices, it also acknowledges the critical need for continued research and technological advancements. Future work should focus on rigorous validation studies, standardization of collection and analytical protocols, and enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of detection methods across various drug classes in these complex matrices. Such efforts are essential to translate this promising research into practical, widely accepted forensic applications. Overall, this paper lays a compelling foundation for advancing forensic toxicology by broadening the spectrum of viable biological samples, ultimately strengthening evidence-based decision-making in legal contexts.

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