**3.2 Obstetric markers In drug abuse**

*Forensic Analysis - Scientific and Medical Techniques and Evidence under the Microscope*

**Method of RT PCR for quantification of mRNA** [15]:

*Method describing the quantification of mRNA using RT PCR technique.*

is an ideal marker for pregnancy related forensic diagnostics [10].

when you have to consider the entire duration of pregnancy [13].

that the RT-PCR assay for βhCG is less sensitive when compared to hPL.

the pregnant woman can commit crimes under the influence of alcohol.

**3. Obstetric markers in substance abuse**

nol in blood of the mother are being evaluated.

**3.1 Obstetric markers in alcohol abuse**

technique is described.

**Figure 2.**

As in **Figure 2**, the exact methodology of quantification of mRNA using RT PCR

**β-subunit of the hCG:** With respect to the other marker – βhCG, it was noticed that the mRNA concentration reduced as pregnancy advances [16]. The RT-PCR of βhCG mRNA levels are detected in the first trimester where their levels are the highest. After which, the levels decreases as pregnancy advances making its detection difficult. So to conclude, by itself βhCG mRNA may not be reliable as a biomarker

Also research has been done in the area to estimate the gestational age from the bloodstains. A study based on the rationale that the use of time-wise reverse expression intensity pattern of the hPL and βhCG transcripts could predict the period of gestation from the pregnant woman's bloodstains. Gauvin et al. tested this hypothesis and found that there was a significant positive relation in women with gestational ages between 8 and 20 weeks. But the biggest disadvantage faced was

Alcohol abuse in the mother is a problem which affects the fetus drastically. The teratogenic effects of alcohol on the fetus are well known causing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a severe form of affection of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. Also

The biomarkers specific to alcohol abuse in pregnancy are ethyl glucuronide (EtG), fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) and ethyl sulphate (EtS) which are nonoxidative direct ethanol metabolites. These remain positive in maternal serum and urine for FAEEs for up to 24 h in serum and EtG in urine up to 5 days. These are promising. Also carbohydrate-deficient transferring (CDT) and phosphatidyletha-

Advantages of hPL mRNA: A study done by Gauvin et al. demonstrated the detection of transcripts of hPL in as little as 0.25 cm2 of dried bloodstain, showing that this test has a high sensitivity. The other advantage noted was that the hPL transcript was demonstrated in bloodstains as old as 56 days at room temperature. All these factors- stability and high sensitivity imply that RT-PCR hPL mRNA assay

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Drug abuse in pregnancy is not uncommon. But unfortunately, the teratogenic effect of drugs can prove disastrous on the fetus. Use of cocaine prenatally causes preterm labour, abruption, congenital anomalies and low birth weight babies. Cannabis metabolites use causes difficulty in memory and learning. Opiate exposure prenatally results in withdrawal symptoms in neonates. Evaluation of these drugs in hair of the mother and meconium of the neonate can be done by standard chromatography methods. Information based on maternal hair depends on its length, while the exposure during pregnancy results in these drugs getting accumulated in the meconium, which needs to be analyzed as soon as its passed once fetus is born [17]. The forensic implications are that these pregnant women on drug use exhibit depression, anxiety, psychological struggle, can commit crimes under the drug influence and are liable for arrest and can be tried in the court according to the prevailing laws of the countries where they are prosecuted [18].
