Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology - Toxicology

Laboratory of analyzers

The methods performed on INDIKO PLUS immunoanalyzers are intended for the capture of selected drugs, drugs and their metabolites in the urine. These are preliminary immunoassays, the results of which must be confirmed and specified by independent methods. The measured values are used to sort negative samples or to select a suitable confirmatory specific method (TLC, GC-MS, LC-MS / MS). The results are used in the diagnosis of abuse or intoxication:

• amphetamines
• barbiturates
• benzodiazepines
• buprenorphine
• cannabinoids
• cocaine
• LSD
• methadone
• opiates
• phencyclidinem and event. other substances for which commercial CEDIA (Cloned Enzyme Donor Immunoassay) kits are available

Furthermore, the INDIKO PLUS immunoassay is used to determine the level of selected drugs in serum, eg:

• paracetamol
• carbamazepine
• phenobarbital
• phenytoin
• valproate
• salicylates, event. next

Analyzes in this laboratory are performed both in daily operation and in STATIM mode.

TLC laboratory

Thin layer chromatography (TLC) methodology is designed to capture and identify a large number of drugs and drugs as unknown nox in samples of biological material (urine, gastric lavage, vomit, neonatal pitch), or in substances, dosage forms or unknown fluids. It is a combination of screening and identification method in one workflow. It is a qualitative method and is used to diagnose acute intoxications, for control examinations (verification of abstinence, therapy, etc.) and to detect maternal abuse during pregnancy.

Analyzes in this laboratory are performed both in daily operation and in STATIM mode. If you are interested in a non-standard examination, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a previous telephone consultation.

Laboratory of GC and UV-spectrophotometry

Analyzes of volatile organic compounds are performed in the gas chromatography laboratory. This is, for example, the determination of ethanol in the blood (possibly urine) for medical or legal purposes. In healthcare, it is performed for diagnostic purposes (affecting the health status of ingested alcohol) or therapeutic purposes (monitoring during treatment with glycol intoxication). For legal purposes, the determination is performed by two independent standardized methods, at our workplace, in addition to GC, also by the enzymatic method.

Furthermore, the detection and determination of methanol in the blood is performed here. Methanol is one of the most toxic substances. In humans, its metabolites cause significant metabolic acidosis and also damage the optic nerve. Only formic acid is involved in the pathogenesis of this damage. The determination of methanol is used to diagnose and control therapy in poisoning with this substance.

Another group of substances analyzed here are glycols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycolic acid). The analysis is performed in biological fluids (serum, urine), possibly. in fluids of unknown composition. It is used to diagnose poisoning for therapeutic purposes (monitoring the levels of these substances in biological fluids during therapy).

Last but not least, a number of volatile substances as such are being identified here. The methodology is intended for the diagnosis of poisonings or the demonstration of exposure to volatile substances such as organic solvents (eg toluene).

The determination of drugs such as:

• Ibuprofen
• Gabapentin
• Pregabalin
• Glycolic acid and others

Analyzes in this laboratory are performed both in daily operation and in STATIM mode. If you are interested in a non-standard examination, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a previous telephone consultation.

LC-MS / MS laboratory

In the laboratory of liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, levels of a wide range of drugs from various therapeutic groups (antiepileptics, antihypertensives, hypolipidemics, etc.) are determined. Furthermore, the identification of some analytes for confirmatory reasons (eg ethyl glucuronide - a late metabolite of ethanol, LSD, cotinine), confirmation of benzodiazepines and their specific specifications. Last but not least, there is a screening for unknown noxa in the blood, event. in power.

This laboratory also carries out research activities and the workplace is involved in external quality control in the British system UKNEQAS and the German system GTFCH. Analyzes are not performed here in STATIM mode, but only in daily operation.

GC-MS laboratory

The GC-MS laboratory specializes mainly in the determination of the levels of drugs and their metabolites in the blood, or it is possible to detect these substances in other biological material (hair, saliva, urine). Last but not least, the examination of biological material for forensic purposes and screening for unknown nox is performed in this laboratory. If you are interested in a non-standard examination, it is possible to perform an individual analysis after a previous telephone consultation.

Trace analysis laboratory

Sample preparation for LC-MS / MS and GC-MS is performed in the trace analysis laboratory.

Laboratory of fungal and plant toxins

Microscopic analysis is used to identify all known poisonous fungi and plants. The analysis is performed in biological material (gastric lavage, high enemas, vomit, stools), or the analyzed material may be food scraps, fresh fungal fruiting bodies and plants or parts thereof, or fruits. The analysis is performed both in daily operation and in STATIM mode.