Why did you choose your field? What attracted you to it?

I am fascinated by analytical chemistry because it combines the different areas of chemistry: inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. This versatility is what makes it so exciting and fulfilling.

Many socially relevant questions can be answered with the help of analytical chemistry. I find it particularly exciting that you can not only discover new chemical structures and determine substance contents in complex samples in the laboratory using sensitive measuring devices, but you can also carry out analyses on site. This variety and the wide range of applications are simply incredibly exciting.

I am now the head of the mass spectrometry laboratory at the State Institute for Forensic and Social medicine in Berlin. There I help to solve accidents, suicides and homicides.

How did you start your career?

I studied chemistry at the Technical University in Berlin and specialized in analytical chemistry during my studies. During this time I attended all lectures on this topic and was lucky to have a very motivating thesis supervisor who introduced me to the topic early on - at the time it was nitrite that sparked my interest. As part of my thesis I was able to further develop a photometric method that can also detect inorganic ions in water. I was able to successfully use this method last year in a suicide case in which the person had ingested curing salt.

This enthusiasm also accompanied me during my doctorate. Here I had the opportunity to search for new metabolic biomarkers. One of the goals was to find metabolic biomarkers for quality characteristics such as suitability for chips and the shelf life of potato tubers. My doctoral supervisor encouraged my passion for analytical chemistry early on and always provided me with new scientific projects. Finally, I was able to publish a lot at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Plant Physiology and present my results at conferences and workshops.

Did you know that you wanted to go into your current career field? Or were there other steps that brought you there?

Unlike others in my profession, I never had a specific desire to go into legal medicine, especially forensic toxicology . But I was always open to new scientific questions.

During my postdoc period, I worked on root exudates, the underground part of the plant, and immersed myself deeply in basic research. My task was to establish a protocol for sample preparation of hydroponic systems, to detect marker substances using mass spectrometry and to elucidate the chemical structure of the substances found.

In my free time, I trained in the areas of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) so that I could apply for laboratory manager positions after my postdoc period. During this time, I also completed the vocational training offered by the GDCh to become a certified quality expert.

What do you do today? What are your responsibilities as head of the mass spectrometry laboratory?

Today I run a mass spectrometry laboratory in forensic toxicology. Our main task is to find out whether deceased people were under the influence of medication, drugs or other psychotropic substances shortly before their death. Constantly dealing with the subject of death is emotionally stressful, especially when you know the stories behind the cases.

We analyze prepared urine samples using LC/MS and GC/MS. We then quantify the relevant substances, mainly in the femoral vein blood. We then assess whether the dose ingested was still within the therapeutic range, had a toxic effect, or was even comatose and fatal.

We rely on extensive literature on previously published cases. It is often necessary to develop new methods to provide more specific evidence. This challenge drives us, even if the pressure is sometimes great, especially when it comes to unexplained causes of death. The exchange with colleagues from other toxicological institutions helps us to find solutions.

What knowledge and characteristics should one have for your professional field?

Beforehand, I attended the GDCh course "Introduction to toxicology for Chemists". This helped me a lot to get to grips with toxicology .

Thanks to my years of experience with mass spectrometers, both in the high and low resolution range, I found it relatively easy to get started with the analytical part of my new job. Looking back, I think it is important to have a solid foundation in analytical chemistry, as the exchange with pharmacists and doctors depends very much on this knowledge.

The emotional willingness to deal with the subject of death on a daily basis is also important. Even after many years, I still find it difficult to enter the autopsy room. I am happy about every day that this is not necessary. This psychological burden should not be underestimated and you need a lot of inner strength to deal with it.

Describe a typical working day. Are there any unforeseen events that require your attention? How do you work with colleagues? Do you work in a team?

As a rule, we have three to six deceased people autopsied by forensic pathologists from Monday to Friday. This is often followed by a toxicological examination, which includes alcohol determination, screening using GC/MS or LC/MS and quantification of the analytes found in the femoral vein blood. The technical staff takes on the routine tasks such as sample preparation and carrying out the measurements. The results are then evaluated by the laboratory managers, while the final findings are presented to the public prosecutor by the manager or their representative.

Often we find the substance that contributed to the death. Sometimes we discover new, previously unknown substances, as the drug market is constantly producing new substances. This task is often like a puzzle that sometimes takes us to the limits of what is possible, but the challenge and the joy of finding the solution make all the effort worthwhile.

If there is no suspicion of third-party negligence, the examinations can be carried out in peace and quiet. In rare cases, however, third-party negligence must be investigated. These cases are then classified as "immediate autopsies" and must be processed on the same day if possible. Balancing this with daily routine can be a challenge.

How does your everyday working life differ today from that during your studies/doctoral studies? To what extent did your studies/doctoral studies prepare you for your current job?

In the past, research work predominated. Today, most cases are routine. The versatility only comes into play in a few cases. These are then all the more exciting for me.

My daily work routine in the lab and in the office is now very structured, which is due to both the official requirements and my everyday family life. The official requirements, for example, specify clear time frames for certain work processes and documentation, while everyday family life ensures that I plan my time very efficiently in order to get everything done.

Despite the often strenuous work, I occasionally take unsolved mass spectra home with me because I enjoy solving these puzzles. This gives me a feeling of control and joy in science, especially in a professional field that is so often marked by tragic fates. My studies gave me a good foundation for this by getting to know many chemical compounds and reactions - this knowledge now helps me enormously when I plan experiments or discuss possible poisons.

What do you enjoy about your work? Are there any particular challenges?

It may sound macabre, but it is always astonishing what paths people choose and what chemical compounds play a role in ending their lives. This diversity shows how creative and complex such cases can be, which challenges me again and again. But sometimes it is also emotionally very difficult to deal with these stories, especially when the people affected are young or are acting out of deep desperation.

It is exciting to work with these molecules and to remain flexible, because the topics are constantly changing. Today we might be dealing with mushroom poisoning, tomorrow with knockout drugs and the day after tomorrow with new psychoactive substances.

Many of our cases are emotionally stressful, especially when children are involved. Constant contact with such tragic stories requires a lot of mental strength and sometimes leaves a heaviness that is difficult to shake off.

Has your area of responsibility changed over time?

We are constantly faced with two challenges:

On the one hand, new psychoactive substances come onto the market every year. One of the reasons for this is to circumvent the Narcotics Act. It is important to keep an overview here.
On the other hand, young adults in particular often consume mixtures of different narcotics. Knowing which mixtures are currently trendy makes our daily work easier.

The analysis of samples, however, has hardly changed in recent years. Established routines are also used on newer devices in order to be able to use proven standards.

But I am very excited to see what role AI will play in our field in the future. I can well imagine that routine analyses in particular will be much easier and more reliable.

What are the career opportunities in your field?

Our structure is relatively manageable: we have one department head, two laboratory managers and five technical employees. Therefore, there are hardly any classic Career or advancement opportunities in our department.

However, there are certainly opportunities to develop professionally and take on additional responsibility, for example by overseeing new projects or vocational training employees. By taking on such special tasks and the expertise that comes with them, you are often recognized.

If someone wanted to follow the same career path, what advice would you give them?

In any case, you should have a good knowledge of analytical chemistry - especially organic chemistry, but also inorganic chemistry. It is also helpful if you have already managed a fleet of mass spectrometers - this understanding of equipment saves a lot of time.

I would also recommend taking courses in toxicology early on in order to better assess the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the substances being studied – and thus also to better understand interactions.

Experience in the field of accredited laboratories is also an advantage. Even if cadaver toxicology cannot yet be covered by a DIN standard, it is very helpful to know how best to work according to DIN ISO 17025.