The cutting edge of surveillance: Exploring high-resolution mass spectrometry in wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring forensic samples

Abstract

Criminal activity has always been detected through forensic evidence. However, the potential for using such evidence to stop crimes in their tracks or slow them down has not yet been completely realized. There is a lot of potential for assessing trace quantities of chemicals in wastewater systems to provide effective forensic information. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has emerged in the last decades as a crucial epidemiological information source for collecting data on community-wide health. It can add important knowledge about illicit drug consumption and/or disposal, exposure to pathogens, infectious diseases, industrial pollutants, and antibiotic resistance. The use of high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) in WBE has revolutionized the field by enabling the detection and quantification of these compounds. This review article explores the cutting edge of surveillance in WBE through applying HRMS techniques for forensic sample monitoring. It delves into the most recent WBE applications, examining their advantages and disadvantages. It also explores the potential for obtaining a more comprehensive evaluation of forensic samples. Furthermore, the application of these approaches to generate “forensic intelligence” for surveillance and criminal interruption is discussed, with examples of how this data can be integrated into future work.