TIAFT Melbourne YSC 2003 Summary Report

This year the TIAFT Young Scientists met for a half day symposium during the 41st TIAFT annual meeting in Melbourne. About 30 young scientists attended the meeting which was held at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. The programme consisted of two key presentations, case reports and an open forum discussion. This was followed by a traditional "Aussie BBQ" enjoyed by all.

The two key presentations were:

• Thomas Kraemer (Homburg, Germany) - "Pharmacogenetics"
  After a short introduction on the definition and aims of pharmacogenetics the importance of this new topic for forenisc toxicology was discussed. Genetic polymorphisms were shown as possible reasons for individual differences in drug effects and side effects. Examples for genetic polymorphisms in transport proteins (P-glycoprotein) or metabolizing enzymes (CYP2D6, CYP2C19) were given. At the end of the presentation, the audience had the opportunity to apply their new knowledge on the interpretation of an authentic case of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault.
   
  
• Marc Le Beau (FBI, USA) - "Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault"
  A brief overview was given of the challenges facing toxicologists that analyze specimens from victims of DFSA. For the most part, the challenges link back to the effects of the more than 40 drugs used to commit this crime. Some suggestions were given as to how to overcome these challenges, and a fruitful discussion was had afterwards.

Forensic case reports were presented by Jim Gerostamoulos regarding two morphine-related deaths and a drug facilitated sexual assault case involving oxycodone, methamphetamine and barbiturates. Nicole Anastos presented some postmortem data on valproic acid concentrations in serum and vitreous humor. The discussion which followed was open and covered a wide range of topics ranging from cut-offs for delta9-THC quantifications to per se driving laws and the relationship to impairment at the roadside.

An exciting programme is also scheduled for Washington next year at the combined FBI/SOFT/TIAFT meeting in August 2004.

All suggestions for topics and presentations should be forwarded to the committee via the secretary (jimg@vifm.org) for consideration. Naturally, the committee will continue to award the best poster, best oral presentation and best paper published. Information on these matters will be distributed before the meeting in Washington and can be found on the website.

Regards,

Thomas Kraemer
President TIAFT YSC
thomas.kraemer@uniklinik-saarland.de