By Denise Purdie Andrews

Recent industry news has been consumed with xylazine as the latest drug adulterant on the streets.  Axis, your leading toxicology partner, has been testing for xylazine for several years and is prepared to assist you with questions about it and its effects.  Testing for xylazine is included as a confirmed analyte in our 70510 Comprehensive Panel with Analyte Assurance™.  While xylazine has been in the news lately, its importance as an adulterant should not overshadow the danger posed by fentanyl and other primary drugs of abuse.

This month, Stuart Kurtz, one of Axis’ expert toxicologists, will be speaking about xylazine with other toxicologists at the Midwest Association for Toxicology & Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Conference.  This upholds Axis’ commitment to sharing its expertise with stakeholders within its industry and related communities.  As the news reports, Xylazine detections alongside commonly seen drugs have risen in recent years. It was never approved for use in humans so its exact effects on the human body are not well understood. This talk takes a look at the data Axis has collected over the last 2 years of testing. Specifically, we looked at its detection with fentanyl, morphine, methamphetamine, and cocaine.  While postmortem toxicology testing cannot determine if a specific combination of drugs was taken by an individual, it can be used to help guide public health policies.  We will be sharing more information about the content of this presentation later in the month.

Please also join us in congratulating Stuart on becoming Axis’ newest ABFT-certified toxicologist!

Dear Valued Client,

In the spirit of continual improvement, to provide the most relevant panels and tests in the industry, our products are periodically updated as new compounds emerge and older compounds cease to be relevant over the years. It is with that goal in mind that we announce an update to our 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel effective with orders placed on or after January 30th, 2023.

The changes to the 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel will include the addition of the following compounds:

• · Dimethylpentylone
• · Alpha-PHP
• · Alpha-PiHP
• · Flubromazepam
• · Bromazolam
• · Tianeptine
• · Phenibut

Additionally, these analytes will also be included in our 70510: Comprehensive Panel, Blood with Analyte Assurance™.

You can always find the most recent publication for our panel offerings on our Test Catalog, found at www.axisfortox.com.

For specific questions regarding our tests or tests not found on our Test Catalog, please contact our Lab Client Support Team at [email protected].

We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Matt Zollman

Director of Operations & Product Management

By Denise Purdie Andrews

This Fall, Axis’ expert toxicologists can be found speaking in several different venues, helping to educate our clients and share expertise with other forensic scientists.

Last month, George S. Behonick, PhD, presented at the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council (IPAC) 2022 Drug Summit.  The focus of the summit was how to effectively investigate and prosecute cases of  Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death.  As a result of some recent testimony in such cases in Delaware County, Indiana, Dr. Behonick was asked to share his expertise regarding presentation of toxicology findings to a jury.  The summit was extremely well-received.  Plans are underway for the next session in first quarter of 2023.

At the upcoming National Association of Medical Examiner (NAME) 2022 Annual Meeting, which will be held in Dallas, Texas, from October 14-18, Dr. Behonick and toxicologist Stuart Kurtz will both be presenting posters.  Topics are Postmortem Redistribution of Fentanyl as Evidenced by Central and Peripheral Blood Concentration and A Case Report Involving the Detection of Five New Psychoactive Substances in Postmortem Analysis, respectively.  Axis’ CEO, Phil Roberts, will also be in attendance to answer your product and service questions.

Shortly thereafter, the Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT) 2022 Conference will be held October 30 – November 4 in Cleveland, Ohio.  Toxicologist Kevin Shanks will be making a platform presentation, Fluorofentanyl Detection by LC-QToF-MS and Prevalence in Postmortem Toxicology.  Stuart Kurtz will be presenting a poster titled Emergence of the Nitazene Class of Novel Synthetic Opioids in Postmortem Toxicology and Detection by LC-QToF-MS.

We will be sharing more information about the content of these posters/presentations in the coming months.  If you have the good fortune to attend one of these sessions, please connect with your Axis experts.  We’d like to thank you for your business and ensure that we are continuing to serve you well!

Dear Valued Client,

In the spirit of continual improvement and to provide our clients with industry leading service, we are excited to announce an upcoming change in testing associated with our 42130: Synthetic Cannabinoids Panel. While these types of compounds have become less prevalent over the last 5 years, they are still important and relevant to forensic work, and the specific analytes of interest continue to change.  Axis has worked hard to update the tested analytes with no increase in price.

Beginning on August 22nd, 2022, the 42130: Synthetic Cannabinoids Panel will contain the following analytes:

• 4-cyano-CUMYL-BINACA
• 4-fluoro-MDMB-BINACA
• ADB-BINACA
• ADB-4en-PINACA
• 4F-MDMB-BICA Butanoic Acid Metabolite
• 5F-MDMB-PICA Butanoic Acid Metabolite
• MDMB-4en-PINACA Butanoic Acid Metabolite

The updated specification sheet can be found here.  You can always find the most recent publication for our panel offerings on our Test Catalog, found at www.axisfortox.com.

For specific questions regarding our tests or tests not found on our Test Catalog, please contact our Lab Client Support Team at [email protected].

We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,
Matt Zollman
Director of Operations & Product Management

Dear Valued Client,

In the spirit of continual improvement and to provide our clients with industry leading service, we are excited to announce an upcoming change in testing associated with our 32400: Electrolyte Panel.  For years this testing has been a referred test to another laboratory, however, beginning on August 1^st, 2022 the 32400: Electrolyte Panel will be performed as an in-house test.

Axis has worked hard to source industry leading equipment in order to offer this testing with a higher level of service, and no increase in price.

You can always find the most recent publication for our panel offerings on our Test Catalog, found at www.axisfortox.com.

For specific questions regarding our tests or tests not found on our Test Catalog, please contact our Lab Client Support Team at [email protected].

We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,
Matt Zollman
Director of Operations & Product Management

Dear Valued Client,

In the spirit of continual improvement, to provide the most relevant panels and tests in the industry, our products are periodically updated as new compounds emerge and older compounds cease to be relevant over the years. It is with that goal in mind that we announce the creation of the 13910: Nitazene Analog Panel. Beginning with orders placed on or after June 27th, 2022, the 13910: Nitazene Analog Panel will include the following compounds:

• Butonitazene
• Etodesnitazene
• Etonitazene
• Flunitazene
• Isotodesnitazene
• Isotonitazene
• Metodesnitazene
• Metonitazene
• N-Pyrrolidino Etonitazene
• Protonitazene

In addition, as part of this change, these compounds will be removed from the 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel. All of these compounds will still be included as part of the 70510: Comprehensive Panel, Blood with Analyte Assurance™.

You can always find the most recent publication for our panel offerings on our Test Catalog, found at www.axisfortox.com.

For specific questions regarding our tests or tests not found on our Test Catalog, please contact our Lab Client Support Team at [email protected].

We look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Matt Zollman

Director of Operations & Product Management

By Matt Zollman, Director of Operations and Product Management

In the spirit of continual improvement, to provide the most relevant panels and tests in the industry, our products are periodically updated as new compounds emerge and older compounds cease to be relevant over the years. It is with that goal in mind that we announce an update to our 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel. Beginning with orders placed on or after November 8th, 2021, the 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel will include the following compounds, in addition to those already in the panel:

• AP-237
• Butonitazene
• Etonitazene
• Flunitazene
• Fluorofentanyl

Attached you will find our most recent publications for our 13710: Novel Emerging Compounds Panel (Panel Specifications). Additionally, you can always find the most recent publication for our panel offerings on our Test Catalog, found at www.axisfortox.com.

For specific questions regarding our tests or tests not found on our Test Catalog, please contact our Lab Client Support Team at [email protected].

We look forward to serving you.

From Phil Roberts, CEO

Today Axis celebrates The Day of the Dead!

Some history on this cultural and religious holiday…

The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos) is a holiday celebrated from 31st October through 2nd of November inclusive, though other days, such as 6th November, may be included depending on the locality. It originated, in part, in Mexico, where it is mostly observed, but also in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. Although associated with the Western Christian All Hallowtide observances of All Hallow’s Eve, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, it has a much less solemn tone and is portrayed as a holiday of joyful celebration rather than mourning. The multi-day holiday involves family and friends gathering to pay respects and to remember friends and family members who have died. These celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed. 

All Souls’ Day, also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed and the Day of the Dead, is a day of prayer and remembrance for the souls of those who have died, which is observed by Roman Catholics and other Christian denominations. All Souls’ Day is often celebrated in Western Christianity; Saturday of Souls is a related tradition more frequently observed in Eastern Christianity. Practitioners of All Souls’ Day traditions often remember deceased loved ones in various ways on the day. Beliefs and practices associated with All Souls’ Day vary widely among Christian denominations. 

At Axis you would see a few people dressed up, the office a little decorated, and holiday food.

Celebrating The Day of the Dead is an example of where Axis can emphasize the meaning and impact of Axis’ work. We are on mission when we help families with closure.

May today be a fond remembrance of a friend or family member no longer with us, and a celebration of the importance of your work!

By Phil Roberts, CEO

It was terrific connecting in person this year in West Palm Beach!

Dr. George Behonick, Axis’ Lab Director and Chief Toxicologist, and Trevor Templin, Axis’ Operational Services Manager, and I enjoyed visiting with everyone.

Dr. Behonick presented Case Report: Detection of Novel Psychoactive Drugs in the Context of Fentanyl and Heroin Use. This poster, developed in conjunction with the Office of the Lake County, Indiana, Coroner, provides an example of the complexities of death investigation in light of the emergence of novel compounds.  For a copy of the poster, please contact [email protected].

George Behonick presents Axis Case Report

It is always exciting to have the NAME and Axis Communities come together.  Axis is proud to contribute to the good work of our NAME accredited Offices and NAME members!