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Fokias K, Dierckx L, Van de Voorde W, Bekaert B. Improving the age estimation model for toenails. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 66:102911. [PMID: 37454509 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
In a previous study, we have provided the first proof that chronological age can be estimated through DNA methylation (DNAm) patterns in fingernails and toenails. DNAm data of 15 CpGs located in 4 genetic markers (ASPA, EDARADD, ELOVL2 and PDE4C) were evaluated, of which variable selection yielded age prediction models with a mean absolute deviation (MAD) ranging from 7.68 to 9.36 years, depending on the sampling location. Three additional age-associated markers (KLF14, MIR29B2CHG and TRIM59) were assessed in the current study with the goal of increasing the prediction accuracy of the model initially constructed for toenails. This new and improved age estimation assay yielded an MAD of 4.82 and 5.61 years for the training and test set, respectively. The feasibility of the application for post-mortem cases was also demonstrated through testing a limited set of samples collected from deceased individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Fokias
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Dierckx
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium; UZ Leuven, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Bekaert
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium; UZ Leuven, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Leuven, Belgium.
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2
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Fokias K, Dierckx L, Van de Voorde W, Bekaert B. Age determination through DNA methylation patterns in fingernails and toenails. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2023; 64:102846. [PMID: 36867979 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2023.102846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decade, age prediction based on DNA methylation has become a vastly investigated topic; many age prediction models have been developed based on different DNAm markers and using various tissues. However, the potential of using nails to this end has not yet been explored. Their inherent resistance to decay and ease of sampling would offer an advantage in cases where post-mortem degradation poses challenges concerning sample collection and DNA-extraction. In the current study, clippings from both fingernails and toenails were collected from 108 living test subjects (age range: 0-96 years). The methylation status of 15 CpGs located in 4 previously established age-related markers (ASPA, EDARADD, PDE4C, ELOVL2) was investigated through pyrosequencing of bisulphite converted DNA. Significant dissimilarities in methylation levels were observed between all four limbs, hence both limb-specific age prediction models and prediction models combining multiple sampling locations were developed. When applied to their respective test sets, these models yielded a mean absolute deviation between predicted and chronological age ranging from 5.48 to 9.36 years when using ordinary least squares regression. In addition, the assay was tested on methylation data derived from 5 nail samples collected from deceased individuals, demonstrating its feasibility for application in post-mortem cases. In conclusion, this study provides the first proof that chronological age can be assessed through DNA methylation patterns in nails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Fokias
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Dierckx
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium; UZ Leuven, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Bekaert
- KU Leuven, Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging & Pathology, Leuven, Belgium; UZ Leuven, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, Leuven, Belgium.
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Joris P, Jenar E, Moermans R, Voorde WVD, Vandermeulen D, Claes P. Bloodstain Impact Pattern Area of Origin Estimation Using Least-Squares Angles: A HemoVision Validation Study. Forensic Sci Int 2022; 333:111211. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2022.111211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Vandenbosch M, Pajk S, Van Den Bogaert W, Wuestenbergs J, Van de Voorde W, Cuypers E. Post Mortem Analysis of Opioids and Metabolites in Skeletal Tissue. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 46:783-790. [PMID: 34480794 PMCID: PMC9375233 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Every year, thousands of suspicious deaths are accounted for by an overdose of opioids. Occasionally all traditional matrices are unavailable due to decomposition. Skeletal tissue may pose a valid alternative. However, reference data on postmortem concentrations in bone tissue and bone marrow (BM) is sparse. Therefore, a liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and fully validated for the analysis of four opioids and two metabolites (tramadol, O-desmethyltramadol, morphine, fentanyl, norfentanyl, codeine) in bone tissue and BM. Sample preparation was performed using solid phase extraction (BM), methanolic extraction (bone) and a protein precipitation (whole blood). All validation parameters were successfully fulfilled. This method was applied to analyze 22 forensic cases involving opioids. All six opioids were proven to be detectable and quantifiable in all specimens sampled. When tramadol blood concentrations were correlated with bone concentrations, a linear trend could be detected. The same was seen between tramadol blood and BM concentration. A similar linear trend was seen when correlating codeine blood concentration with bone and BM concentration. Although some variability was detected, the same linear trend was seen for morphine. For fentanyl and norfentanyl, the sample size was too small to draw conclusions, regarding correlation. As far as the authors know this is the first-time fentanyl and norfentanyl are quantified in skeletal tissue. In conclusion, due to the absence of reference data for drugs in skeletal tissue, these findings are a step forward toward a more thorough understanding of drug concentration found in postmortem skeletal tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Vandenbosch
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Maastricht University, M4I Institute, Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stane Pajk
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aškerčeva 7, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Wouter Van Den Bogaert
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Wuestenbergs
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Cuypers
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Maastricht University, M4I Institute, Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Antiga LG, Sibbens L, Abakkouy Y, Decorte R, Van Den Bogaert W, Van de Voorde W, Bekaert B. Cell survival and DNA damage repair are promoted in the human blood thanatotranscriptome shortly after death. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16585. [PMID: 34400689 PMCID: PMC8368024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96095-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA analysis of post-mortem tissues, or thanatotranscriptomics, has become a topic of interest in forensic science due to the essential information it can provide in forensic investigations. Several studies have previously investigated the effect of death on gene transcription, but it has never been conducted with samples of the same individual. For the first time, a longitudinal mRNA expression analysis study was performed with post-mortem human blood samples from individuals with a known time of death. The results reveal that, after death, two clearly differentiated groups of up- and down-regulated genes can be detected. Pathway analysis suggests active processes that promote cell survival and DNA damage repair, rather than passive degradation, are the source of early post-mortem changes of gene expression in blood. In addition, a generalized linear model with an elastic net restriction predicted post-mortem interval with a root mean square error of 4.75 h. In conclusion, we demonstrate that post-mortem gene expression data can be used as biomarkers to estimate the post-mortem interval though further validation using independent sample sets is required before use in forensic casework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G Antiga
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (CEXS), University Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lode Sibbens
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yasmina Abakkouy
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ronny Decorte
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Den Bogaert
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Bekaert
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 7003 71, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, UZ Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Beauthier F, Van de Voorde W, Lefevre P, Beauthier JP. Belgium experience in disaster victim identification applied in handling terrorist attack at Brussels Airport 2016. Forensic Sci Res 2020; 5:223-231. [PMID: 33209506 PMCID: PMC7646600 DOI: 10.1080/20961790.2020.1775932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Belgian disaster victim identification (DVI) team is involved in many investigations in our country. Indeed, this specialized team of the federal police oversees searching for and investigating criminally buried dead bodies, identification of unknown putrefied corpses, and more. The Belgian DVI team also assists with the identification of victims of mass disasters (natural, accidental, and mass murders). In this article, we consider the contributions of different teams (forensic pathology, anthropology, and odontology, federal police, and crime scene investigation) both on the scene of the attack at the Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) and in the laboratory work (autopsies, sample studies).
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Affiliation(s)
- François Beauthier
- Medicolegal and Forensic Anthropology Unit, Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Lefevre
- Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Department of Imaging and Pathology, University of Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pol Beauthier
- Medicolegal and Forensic Anthropology Unit, Laboratory of Anatomy, Biomechanics and Organogenesis, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Bruxelles, Belgium
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7
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Vandenbosch M, Rooseleers L, Van Den Bogaert W, Wuestenbergs J, Van de Voorde W, Cuypers E. Skeletal tissue, a viable option in forensic toxicology? A view into post mortem cases. Forensic Sci Int 2020; 309:110225. [PMID: 32146303 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Blood analysis is the golden standard in the field of forensic toxicology. However, when extended decomposition of the remains has occurred, alternative matrices are required. Skeletal tissue may provide an appropriate sample of choice since it is very resistant to putrefaction. However, today, the absence of reference data of drug concentrations in skeletal tissue poses a problem to meaningfully and reliably conduct toxicological testing on human skeletal material. The present study investigates the viability of skeletal tissue as an alternative matrix to evaluate xenobiotic consumption in legal cases. Blood, bone tissue and bone marrow of different forensic cases were screened for 415 compounds of forensic interest. Afterwards, methadone, clomipramine, citalopram and their respectively metabolites positive samples were quantified using fully validated methods. Sample preparation was carried out by SPE (whole blood and bone marrow), methanol extraction (bone sections) or protein precipitation (whole blood). All samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quad mass spectrometer. Multiple drugs were successfully identified in all sampled matrices. In bone (marrow) not as many substances were detected as in blood but it poses a valid alternative when blood is not available. Especially bone marrow showed big potential with a concordance of 80.5% with blood. Clomipramine, citalopram and their metabolites were proven to be detectable and quantifiable in all specimens sampled. Bone marrow showed the highest concentrations followed by blood and bone tissue. When citalopram blood concentrations were correlated with the bone concentrations, a linear trend could be detected. The same was seen between blood and bone marrow for citalopram concentrations. Methadone was also proven to be detectable in all specimens sampled. However, its metabolites EMDP and EDPP were absent or below the LOD in some samples. Overall, methadone concentrations were higher in bone marrow than in bone. With exception of one case, blood concentrations were higher than bone concentrations. For methadone, a linear trend could be found between blood and bone concentration. Comparing methadone concentrations in blood and bone marrow an exponential trend could be seen. In conclusion, these findings show the potential forensic value of bone and bone marrow as an alternative matrix. Aside to that, a standard protocol for the sample collection and processing is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel Vandenbosch
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Rooseleers
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wouter Van Den Bogaert
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Wuestenbergs
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- KU Leuven, Imaging and Pathology Department, Division Forensic Biomedical Sciences, Campus Sint-Rafaël, Kapucijnenvoer 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eva Cuypers
- KU Leuven Toxicology and Pharmacology, Campus Gasthuisberg, Onderwijs en Navorsing 2, Herestraat 49, PO Box 922, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; Maastricht University, M4I Institute, Division of Imaging Mass Spectrometry, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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8
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Smeers I, Decorte R, Van de Voorde W, Bekaert B. Evaluation of three statistical prediction models for forensic age prediction based on DNA methylation. Forensic Sci Int Genet 2018; 34:128-133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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9
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Cuypers E, Rosier E, Loix S, Develter W, Van Den Bogaert W, Wuestenbergs J, Van de Voorde W, Tytgat J. Medical Findings and Toxicological Analysis in Infant Death by Balloon Gas Asphyxia: A Case Report. J Anal Toxicol 2017; 41:347-349. [DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkx006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Bekaert B, Kamalandua A, Zapico SC, Van de Voorde W, Decorte R. Improved age determination of blood and teeth samples using a selected set of DNA methylation markers. Epigenetics 2015; 10:922-30. [PMID: 26280308 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2015.1080413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age estimation from DNA methylation markers has seen an exponential growth of interest, not in the least from forensic scientists. The current published assays, however, can still be improved by lowering the number of markers in the assay and by providing more accurate models to predict chronological age. From the published literature we selected 4 age-associated genes (ASPA, PDE4C, ELOVL2, and EDARADD) and determined CpG methylation levels from 206 blood samples of both deceased and living individuals (age range: 0-91 years). This data was subsequently used to compare prediction accuracy with both linear and non-linear regression models. A quadratic regression model in which the methylation levels of ELOVL2 were squared showed the highest accuracy with a Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD) between chronological age and predicted age of 3.75 years and an adjusted R(2) of 0.95. No difference in accuracy was observed for samples obtained either from living and deceased individuals or between the 2 genders. In addition, 29 teeth from different individuals (age range: 19-70 years) were analyzed using the same set of markers resulting in a MAD of 4.86 years and an adjusted R(2) of 0.74. Cross validation of the results obtained from blood samples demonstrated the robustness and reproducibility of the assay. In conclusion, the set of 4 CpG DNA methylation markers is capable of producing highly accurate age predictions for blood samples from deceased and living individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bram Bekaert
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Aubeline Kamalandua
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Sara C Zapico
- c Smithsonian Institution; NMNH; MRC112 ; Anthropology Department ; Washington, DC USA
| | - Wim Van de Voorde
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
| | - Ronny Decorte
- a KU Leuven - University of Leuven ; Department of Imaging & Pathology ; Leuven , Belgium.,b KU-Leuven - University of Leuven; University Hospitals Leuven; Department of Forensic Medicine; Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and Molecular Archeology ; Leuven , Belgium
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Joris P, Develter W, Jenar E, Suetens P, Vandermeulen D, Van de Voorde W, Claes P. Calculation of bloodstain impact angles using an Active Bloodstain Shape Model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jofri.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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12
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Franco A, Thevissen P, Coudyzer W, Develter W, Van de Voorde W, Oyen R, Vandermeulen D, Jacobs R, Willems G. Feasibility and validation of virtual autopsy for dental identification using the Interpol dental codes. J Forensic Leg Med 2013; 20:248-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2012.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2012] [Accepted: 09/07/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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13
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Schotsmans EM, Van de Voorde W, De Winne J, Wilson AS. The impact of shallow burial on differential decomposition to the body: A temperate case study. Forensic Sci Int 2011; 206:e43-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 07/16/2010] [Accepted: 07/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Bekaert B, Coomans M, Knaepen K, Larno L, Thijs N, Vanhoutte E, Van de Voorde W, Decorte R. Validation of a microchip electrophoresis system as a DNA amplification control. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2009.08.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Janssen L, Jacobs M, Vanderheyden N, Bekaert B, Van de Voorde W, Decorte R. Increased sensitivity for amplified STR alleles on capillary sequencers with BigDye® XTerminator™. Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2009.08.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Abstract
XTC and other amphetamines are considered to be safe by the majority of partying young people who are unaware of (or unwilling to know about) the acute and chronic toxicity of these substances, and these drugs are widespread, illicit stimulants. In this article, we describe four cases of severe acute toxicity due to recreational use of amphetamines 3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 4-methylthioamphetamine or p-methoxyamphetamine, with emphasis on the presenting symptoms and acute treatment in the emergency department.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gert Smets
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospitals of Leuven, Belgium
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