Axis toxicologists Laureen Marinetti, PhD, F-ABFT, and Stuart Kurtz, M.S, D-ABFT-FT, will be presenting at the Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (MATT) Annual Meeting in Milwaukee Wisconsin, April 2-4, 2025. Their presentation topics are below and the presenter is highlighted.
Platform Presentation: An Update on Nitazene Detections: Where, When, and How Much?
Stuart A. K. Kurtz, M.S., D-ABFT-FT, Kevin G. Shanks, M.S., D-ABFT-FT, Laureen J. Marinetti, Ph.D., F-ABFT
This will expand the AAFS 2025 project (see blog post from February 28, 2025) by including quantitative data for the nitazenes we currently have validated. Nitazenes are an emerging class of synthetic opioids that were first detected in 2019. The compounds that are sticking around and emerging tend to be those with a higher potency than fentanyl or are in a similar range. Due to lack of approval for any medical use, clinical or veterinary, there is little known about expected concentrations in humans. By examining quantitative data when available, we can better understand what those mean in casework and what a target cutoff for qualitative reporting should be if quantitative methods prove too difficult to develop.
Platform Presentation: Differentiating Medical Ketamine from Illicit Abuse in Postmortem Cases
George S.Behonick, Ph.D., F-ABFT*, Catherine R. Miller, MD**, Natalia Belova, MD**, and Laureen J. Marinetti, Ph.D., F-ABFT*
*Axis Forensic Toxicology, ** District 15 ME Palm Beach County , FL.
Data review of 45 cases of illicit(8) and licit(37) ketamine findings. Become familiar with the chemistry and pharmacology of ketamine. Recognize the features and elements of medical ketamine use and illicit use. Understand the principals involved with differentiating medical ketamine pharmacotherapy and illicit ketamine use. Gain insight into the investigative details, decedent history, scene information, and toxicology of an illicit ketamine use case compared to a medical use case.
Axis is pleased to be able to share knowledge with other professionals in the fields of toxicology. If you will be attending MATT, please make plans to connect with them and take in their presentations.