FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

Background: Forensic toxicology plays a crucial role in substance abuse detection, criminal investigations, and public health interventions. The increasing prevalence of novel psychoactive substances, opioid abuse, and drug-related fatalities has necessitated advancements in toxicological techniques to improve detection accuracy and response strategies. Despite the growing application of high-resolution analytical tools, gaps remain in real-time detection capabilities and their integration into forensic and clinical settings.

Objective: This systematic review aims to evaluate recent advancements in forensic toxicology for substance abuse detection and assess their implications for public health policies and forensic investigations.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, searching PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for studies published between 2019 and 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised peer-reviewed studies on forensic toxicology methods for substance detection, epidemiological trends, and their impact on public health. Non-English studies, animal research, and conference abstracts were excluded. Data extraction focused on study design, sample size, analytical techniques, and key findings. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess study quality.

Results: A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Emerging toxicological techniques, including high-resolution mass spectrometry, biosensors, and portable detection devices, demonstrated enhanced sensitivity in identifying illicit substances. The review also highlighted the growing burden of opioid abuse, particularly xylazine co-use, and the limitations of conventional toxicological screening in detecting emerging substances. Variability in methodologies and the risk of publication bias were noted as challenges affecting data synthesis.

Conclusion: Advancements in forensic toxicology have significantly improved drug detection accuracy, aiding both legal investigations and public health interventions. However, challenges remain in standardizing methodologies and ensuring real-time detection of emerging substances. Future research should focus on refining forensic toxicology protocols and enhancing collaboration between forensic scientists, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to mitigate the public health impact of substance abuse.