title: Use of forensic investigations in anti-doping.
abstract: The fight against doping is mainly focused on direct detection, using analytical methods for the detection of doping agents in biological samples. However, the World Anti-Doping Code also defines doping as possession, administration or attempted administration of prohibited substances or methods, trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited substance or methods. As these issues correspond to criminal investigation, a forensic approach can help assessing potential violation of these rules. In the context of a rowing competition, genetic analyses were conducted on biological samples collected in infusion apparatus, bags and tubing in order to obtain DNA profiles. As no database of athletes' DNA profiles was available, the use of information from the location detection as well as contextual information were key to determine a population of suspected athletes and to obtain reference DNA profiles for comparison. Analysis of samples from infusion systems provided 8 different DNA profiles. The comparison between these profiles and 8 reference profiles from suspected athletes could not be distinguished. This case-study is one of the first where a forensic approach was applied for anti-doping purposes. Based on this investigation, the International Rowing Federation authorities decided to ban not only the incriminated athletes, but also the coaches and officials for 2 years.
authors.affiliation: Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses, University Center of Legal Medecine, Geneva and Lausanne, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Ch. des Croisettes 22, 1066 Epalinges, Switzerland. nicolas.jan2@chuv.ch
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jan
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marclay
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schmutz
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lacoste
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castella
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mangin
mesh_terms: D016172:DNA Fingerprinting; D004300:Doping in Sports; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D009339:Needles; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection; D013594:Syringes