Title: Mexican Medical Examiners Learn About Fentanyl Testing at Colorado Body Farm
In a field of corpses at Colorado Mesa University’s Forensic Investigation Research Station, Mexican medical examiners observed as a researcher plucked a live larva off the ground, emphasizing the potential evidence that maggots can provide in forensic investigations.
The group of Mexican forensic specialists had traveled to the Colorado facility, known as a “body farm,” to learn about testing cadavers for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. The trip was organized by the U.S. State Department in an effort to address Mexico’s fentanyl problem.
While the Mexican government claims that fentanyl consumption is relatively low in the country, aid groups and rehabilitation centers in northern Mexico have reported a rise in fentanyl use and opioid overdoses along the border with the United States.
Dr. César González Vaca, the chief medical examiner of Baja California state, highlighted the lack of systematic testing for fentanyl in Mexico, stating, “We don’t look for it.” However, Dr. Vaca has been pushing to test bodies in Baja California using a low-tech method of dipping fentanyl strips in bodily fluids, revealing alarming results.
The trip to Colorado allowed the Mexican medical examiners to witness advanced forensic techniques, including the use of expensive tools and machinery for toxicology screenings. The American pathologists demonstrated how to identify signs of opioid overdose, such as lung foam and brain swelling, in autopsy cases.
The visit also shed light on the growing drug problem in Mexico, with fentanyl being found in counterfeit pills and party drugs, making it easily accessible and affordable for users. Experts emphasize the need for accurate tracking of fentanyl deaths to understand the true scale of the issue.
Overall, the trip to the Colorado body farm served as a valuable learning experience for the Mexican medical examiners, highlighting the importance of testing for fentanyl and addressing the growing opioid crisis in Mexico.
