Guidelines for the determination of psychoactive substances in biological samples for forensic toxicology and medico-legal purposes

This document describes the guidelines developed by the Scientific Association Gruppo Tossicologi Forensi Italiani (GTFI) for the determination of psychoactive substances in biological samples for forensic toxicology and medico-legal purposes. The guidelines provide indications and recommendations for performing forensic toxicological and medico-legal analyses with a high level of quality, with particular reference to the use of appropriate analytical techniques and established analytical procedures and methods shared by the national scientific community, in order to ensure results of high reliability and reproducibility. The correct methods for the determination of alcohol and psychoactive drugs in biological samples may also be of interest to other scientific communities, given the wide range of applications of the various toxicological examinations required and carried out not only for forensic purposes, but also for clinical-diagnostic purposes, the results of which may constitute evidence in administrative or criminal contexts. In this sense, and in the framework of an already existing collaboration between the GTFI and the Italian Society of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (SIPMeL), the publication of an extract from the GTFI guidelines may also be useful for professionals belonging to these scientific societies who perform laboratory tests for various toxicological purposes. This document represents an abbreviated version of the original guidelines (Revision No. 6 of 2022), which can be accessed in full at the link https://www.gtfi.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LineeGuidaGTFI-MaterialeBiologico-rev06-08giu2022.pdf, in order to keep the length within appropriate limits for a scientific journal. The sections most relevant to clinical laboratory professionals have been retained: 1. Purpose; 5. Requirements for Analytical Activities; 6. Acceptance, collection, handling and manipulation of specimens; 7. Analytical methods; 8.Analytical report.