Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin And Forensic Medicine

Abstract

The diagnosis of chronic alcohol consumption is challenging in forensic medicine. One of the most prevalent diagnostic indicators for identifying chronic alcohol abuse is carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT). Its diagnostic value is not entirely sensitive and specific, nevertheless. Pre-analytical difficulties, mutant transferrins, several metabolic illnesses, body composition, arterial hypertension, medication use, and exposure to chemical solvents are a few known cautions. It is necessary to read CDT analysis carefully in light of the many caveats. A balanced interpretation is required for forensic and occupational medicine applications, such as delegation to workplaces where alcoholism may have lethal repercussions or to get a driver's licence. A balanced interpretation is required for forensic and occupational medicine applications, such as delegation to workplaces where alcoholism may have lethal repercussions or to get a driver's licence. For these applications, capillary zone electrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography are to be preferred for CDT analysis as their principal benefit is the separation of several CDT isoforms. The use of additional alternative tests, such as ethyl glucuronide and fatty acid ethyl esters in hair, can be taken into consideration in problematic circumstances.