The main aim of this research was to establish a minimum series length when crime opportunities are not distributed at random. In addition, the behaviour of two methods of assessing the accuracy of a geographic profiling algorithms were analysed. The second objective was to analyse the existence and properties of the buffer zone in the created model. For the purpose of this research, a simulation was used. Data showed significantly different behaviour in the two tested methods of assessing the accuracy of geographic profiling, with hit score percentage being the significantly more sensitive measurement. The tests allowed all of the effects attributed to the buffer zone to be obtained, despite the fact that it was not included in the model itself. For series as long as nine offences accuracy in non-random conditions was similar to series length five and uniform distribution of opportunities.

Detailed assessment of the biotransformation of compounds and the activity of their metabolites is an extremely important element in the safety evaluation of a substance, both in preclinical and clinical studies. It should be noted that the metabolite may differ from the parent compound in terms of physicochemical properties and consequently pharmacological and toxicological properties.

The purpose of the biotransformation of xenobiotics is to increase their hydrophilicity, which allows excretion in the urine. the metabolites of biotransformation phase I show undesirable pharmacological or toxic effects much more often. according to U.S. Food and Drug administration (FDA) guidance, if a metabolite in the human body accounts for more than 10% of the total amount of metabolites, its safety should be thoroughly assessed. Metabolites can interact more strongly or weakly, or to the same degree, with the same or a different molecular target as the parent compound. they can also display non-specific effects by, for example, damaging macromolecules (e.g. proteins, nucleic acids) in the way that free radicals do. In the case of new psychoactive substances (NPSs), the pharmacological properties, including metabolism, are largely unknown until they are traded illegally and their users begin to appear in departments of toxicology or forensic medicine. It is in this way that the activity profile and probable metabolic pathways of NPSs are determined. to determine the metabolites of NPSs is also an important toxicological skill in the forensic testing of biological samples (blood/urine/tissue) collected from victims, in which metabolites, not parent compounds, are usually found.

Using examples from the authors’ research and the available literature, the article aims to present alternative methods of metabolism testing for NPSs. In vitro methods (application of microsomes, S9 fraction, hepatocytes, cytosol) are discussed and comparisons are made between the results of in vivo tests on animals and analyses of autopsy material.

The experiments and the literature review demonstrate that by using in vitro methods the metabolism of NPSs can be predicted with high probability. By improving existing methods of metabolism research and creating new and alternative ones it will be possible to better understand metabolic pathways and better identify the NPS metabolites formed in the human body. This will contribute not only to the development of better methods of treating NPS poisoning, but will also be of use when compiling forensic and medical reports for the judiciary.

Analysis of biological material collected during autopsies and even from living humans for the presence of amanitins and other fungal toxins remains a challenge in forensic toxicology. A qualitative method for the detection of α-amanitin, β-amanitin, γ-amanitin, muscarine, and psilocin in blood and urine has been developed. To achieve this goal, solid phase extraction HLB 3cc 60mg columns were used. Blood and urine samples were purified with water and aqueous methanol solution, and then extracted with acetonitrile. An LC/QTOF system equipped with a C18 column was applied to identify the analytes. Acetonitrile and water with formic acid were utilized as mobile phases. The developed method was validated. The detection limits for α-amanitin, β-amanitin, γ-amanitin, muscarine and psilocin are, respectively, 1.4 ng/ml, 0.3 ng/ml, 1.2 ng/ml, 1.8 ng/ml, and 0.3 ng/ml in blood, and 1.5 ng/ml, 2.1 ng/ml, 1.5 ng/ml, 1.6 ng/ml, and 1.1 ng/ml in urine. The developed method allows for efficient, qualitative identification of all the above-mentioned compounds in a toxicological laboratory.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are nowadays a prevalent group of illicit drugs, one of which are synthetic cathinones. The widespread usage of NPS requires fast, reliable, selective and sensitive analytical methods for their identification as well as differentiation. Colorimetric tests are among the most frequently used methods for screening analysis of NPS in forensic sciences because they are fast, cheap and simple they found application in roadside, borders and airport controls, as well as are used for employees control at workplaces. In this paper we present limitations of colorimetric tests based on the example of one of the Simon test’s variant which was used to analyze synthetic cathinones samples. 163 seized drugs samples were analyzed. Used variant of the Simon test comprises reaction of secondary amines with sodium nitroprusside, sodium carbonate and acetaldehyde resulting in deep blue coloration. Our study indicated that the test gives a very low positive results percentage (3%), as well as many false negative results (88%). No pattern in color changes could be observed regarding samples belonging to one group of compounds in order to identify it even when lacking the expected observation. Another important aspects regarding colorimetric test is the fact that observations are very subjective. although this method is fast and easy to perform, it does not provide unambiguous results and thus, they always should be confirmed with the use of other analytical techniques such as LC-MS/MS or GC-MS/MS.

Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze and compare the most common post-mortem changes which can be found in the body after ligature strangulation and compare it with the most recent literature.

Materials and methods: autopsy protocols from years 2001–2020 gathered in the Department of Forensic Medicine in Kraków were investigated. 37 cases of certain and possible strangulation were found and analysed. Prevalence of ligature strangulation, age, sex, information concerning perpetrator and post-mortem changes were considered.

Results: we found and analysed 37 cases, however only in 16 cases the certain cause of death was ligature strangulation. in the remaining 18 cases the mechanism of death was not precisely defined. in 3 cases advanced late post-mortem changes disturbed establishment of certain identification. Women constituted 87.5% of all victims, while men 12.5%. among 16 certain ligature strangulations we analysed the most important post-mortem changes. Both subconjunctival hemorrhagic petechiae and facial skin petechiae were observed in 93.8% of the cases, laryngeal or hyoid fracture in 56.3%, and hemorrhages in neck muscles were detected in 87.5% of the cases.

Conclusions: The most frequent post-mortem changes after ligature strangulation include subconjunctival petechiae, facial skin petechiae and hemorrhages in the neck muscles which are convergent with the data found in literature. The autopsy may not indicate the circumstance of strangulation.