Abstract

Theevolutionofsensortechnologieshassigni𿿿cantlyimpactedforensictoxicology, offers more efficient, sensitive, and precise means of detectingt oxic substances in biological samples. This review critically examines the recent advancements in sensor techniques employed in forensic toxicology, focusing on their potential toimprovethedetectionandidenti𿿿cationof toxins,drugs,poisons, andother harmful substances in forensic investigations. From electrochemical sensors and biosensors to optical and mass spectrometric techniques, sensor-based technologies are enhancing the speed, accuracy, and accessibility of toxicological testing.Thiscritical review paper explores the benefits, limitations, andfuture directions of these advanced sensor systems, highlighting their role in simplifying and accelerating toxicological analyses in both clinical and criminal investigations.

• 1.   Arduini, F., et al. (2017). Electrochemical sensors as an innovative approach for clinical and forensic toxicology. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 97, 179-190.
• 2.   Bahadir, E. B., & Sezgintürk, M. K. (2015). Applications of electrochemical biosensors to pharmaceuticals. Analytical Biochemistry, 478, 107-120.
• 3.   Borkowska, E., & Kowalska, T. (2022). “AI Powered Toxicological Screening: A New Era in Forensic Investigations.” Forensic Science International, 314, 110380.
• 4.   Britzi, M., Friedman, S., Miron, J., Solomon, R., Cuneah, O., Shimshoni, J. A., ... & Shlosberg, A.(2013).Carry-overofa atoxinB1toa atoxin M1 in high yielding Israeli cows in mid-and late-lactation. Toxins, 5(1), 173-183.
• 5.   Dhawan, D., & Garg, A. (2021). “Biosensors for Detection of Toxicological Agents in Forensic Investigations.” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 329, 129089.
• 6.   Fan, X., et al. (2008). Sensitive optical biosensors for unlabeled targets: A review. Analytica Chimica Acta, 620(1-2), 8-26.
• 7.   Figueiredo, R., et al. (2016). Advances in mass spectrometry for forensic toxicology. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 85, 1-10.
• 8.   Gao, A. (2024). Advances in biosensors for poison detection applications. In E3S Web of Conferences (Vol. 553, p. 05002). EDP Sciences.
• 9.   Johnson, P. E., & Miller, M. R. (2020). “Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Toxicology: Recent Advances in Sensor Applications.” Forensic Science International, 317, 110514.
• 10.   Khan, R., Anwar, F., & Ghazali, F. M. (2024). A comprehensive review of mycotoxins: Toxicology, detection, and effective mitigation approaches. Heliyon.
• 11.   Kumar R., Sheikh N., Bashar M., Vasudeva A., Kumar A., Yadav A., et al. (2023). Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. J. 12, 70.
• 12.   Kumar, V., et al. (2019). “Biosensors in forensic toxicology: Current status and future trends.” Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry.
• 13.   Ligler F. S., Taitt C. R., Shriver–Lake L. C., Sapsford K. E., Shubin Y. S., Golden J. P. (2003). Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. J. 377, 469.
• 14.   López, M., et al. (2020). “Advances in biosensor technologies for toxin detection.” Journal of Toxicology.
• 15.   Parra, M., et al. (2020). “Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Forensic Toxicology Applications.” Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 123, 115-123.
• 16.   Ryan, M. A., & Smith, S. P. (2018). “Integrating AI and Mass Spectrometry in Forensic Toxicology.” Journal of Forensic Toxicology, 36(5), 204-210.
• 17.   Smith, R. D. (2004). Advances in mass spectrometry instrumentation. Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry, 1(1), 349-378.
• 18.   Turner, A. P. F. (2013). Biosensors: Sense and sensibility. Chemical Society Reviews, 42(8), 3184-3196.
• 19.   Ullah, M. F., Khan, Y., Khan, M. I., Abdullaeva, B. S., & Waqas, M. (2024). Exploring nanotechnology in forensic investigations: Techniques, innovations, and future prospects. Sensing and Bio-Sensing Research, 100674.
• 20.   Wang, J. (2005). Electrochemical biosensors: Towards point-of-care cancer diagnostics. Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 21(10), 1887 1892.
• 21.   Xu, X., et al. (2019).Advancesin uorescence based biosensors for food safety detection. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 91, 240 252.
• 22.   Yáñez-Sedeño, P., Agüí, L., Villalonga, R., & Pingarrón, J. M. (2014). Biosensors in forensic analysis. A review. Analytica chimica acta, 823, 1-19.
• 23.   Yang, L., et al. (2022). “Optical Sensing in Forensic Toxicology: A Review.” Journal of Forensic Sciences, 67(2), 578-591.
• 24.   Zhang, Y., et al. (2019). “Advances in Portable Sensors for Toxicological Analysis in Forensic Investigations.” Sensors, 19(24), 5478.
• 25.   Zhu, Z., et al. (2021). “Deep Learning in Mass Spectrometry for Forensic Toxicology.” Nature Biotechnology, 39(8), 1052-1060.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding