We conduct research in the following areas:
- Forensic pathology
- Forensic toxicology
- Forensic anthropology (including palaeodemography, palaeoepidemiology and palaeopathology)
- Alcohol and drug abuse
Research at the Department of Forensic Medicine is primarily derived from the department’s core tasks and includes only a limited amount of basic research. One area of focus is research into causes of death, with the hope of reducing the number of cases in which the cause of death remains uncertain even after an autopsy.
Drugging cases in Denmark
Toxicological findings in drugging cases in Denmark
A nationwide retrospective study of forensic chemical analysis data from reported drugging cases is being carried out by the forensic departments in Denmark. *Drugging* is defined as the administration of a sedative or stimulant substance to a person without their consent. The project includes data from all individuals whose blood and urine samples were tested for drugging at one of the three Danish departments of forensic medicine between 2022 and July 2024 as part of a police investigation.
The project aims to map the age and gender of individuals who experience drugging, as well as any reported use of medicinal or recreational drugs in connection with the incident. It also records the number of cases in which stimulant and/or sedative substances, including alcohol, are detected through forensic chemical analysis, and provides an overview of the substances found. For cases where the information is available, the time between the incident and sample collection is also recorded. This is a key parameter, as the likelihood of detecting substances increases the shorter the time interval between the incident and the sample being taken.
The results of the study will give public authorities and policymakers valuable insight into which substances are prevalent in Denmark’s nightlife and party scene, as well as how many drugging cases have been reported and investigated through forensic toxicology.
The project is a collaboration between the three departments of forensic medicine in Denmark. Data processing is carried out in compliance with GDPR and the Danish Data Protection Act. According to section 10 of the Data Protection Act, the departments of forensic medicine are permitted to compile this type of data.
Questions?
Questions about the study can be directed to the Forensic Chemistry Unit.
Contact
Retskemisk@sdu.dk