*Warning: This article discusses suicidal behaviour. If you have questions on self-harm or feel suicidal, use this link to find an international helpline – www.findahelpline.com*
Sudan Kumar Bista, from the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory, has just finished a seven-week placement at the University of Edinburgh, gaining experience of new technology to better detect pesticides used for self-poisoning in Nepal.
The placement, facilitated by the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention (CPSP) and hosted by the Clinical Research Facility Mass Spectrometry Core, provided training on Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). It is hoped that this will improve identification of lethal pesticides responsible for deaths in the country.
An established collaboration
CPSP has been working with the Nepal Police Forensic Science Laboratory – a pioneering organization of forensic science in Nepal – since 2018. The aim of this collaboration is to identify problematic pesticides that are used for self-poisoning, leading to government action to prevent further deaths.
More than 80% of physical evidence from criminal cases in Nepal is analyzed by the police laboratory. This includes analysis of poisons and drugs from biological specimens, including cases of pesticide self-poisoning.
In 2019, the Government of Nepal banned eight highly hazardous pesticides, with the aim of reducing suicides from self-poisoning. This was partly due to research and engagement by CPSP, using data provided by the police laboratory.
Difficulties detecting certain pesticides
Following the 2019 bans, the data suggest that there has been a significant reduction of suicides from pesticide self-poisoning. However, there is also evidence that people are using banned, unregistered, and unknown pesticides. This may be the consequence of the porous border between Nepal and India – where most of Nepal’s pesticides are imported from.
The police laboratory has, until now, used Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze samples. But, in recent years, it has encountered difficulties detecting certain pesticides.
Therefore, to enhance its capabilities, the laboratory plans to introduce workflows for Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This would detect poisons and drugs in biological samples that are less easily detected by GC-MS technology.
A ‘great opportunity’
To gain further experience in LC-MS/MS technology, the police laboratory reached out to CPSP, to see if training could be provided through the University of Edinburgh. This request was passed on and accepted by the Clinical Research Facility Mass Spectrometry Core, led by Dr Natalie Homer.
In February, Sudan Kumar Bista, who heads up the Toxicology Section at the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory, arrived in Edinburgh to start his seven-week placement.
Reflecting on his experience, Sudan said:
“It was a great opportunity for me to work in such a sophisticated laboratory and learn from the highly experienced analysts. The training in the Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, after the induction training, was exceptionally productive and useful. I not only learned different aspects of LC-MS/MS, but also the best practice in the laboratory.
“I was shown everything from the basics of sample preparations to interpreting the results obtained from the LC-MS/MS. Every analysis was done as per the standard protocol, which maintained uniformity. I was particularly impressed by sample preparation using Extrahera Robot.
“It wouldn’t be fair to single anyone from the laboratory out, everyone responded to my questions and queries without hesitation. All were true professionals, with profound knowledge on Analytical Chemistry and Mass Spectrometry. I will forever be indebted to all of them for imparting their knowledge and skills, for the betterment of my own laboratory.
“I am very thankful to Professor Michael Eddleston and his CPSP colleagues, as well as Dr. Natalie Homer and the entire Mass Spectrometry Core team, for their unconditional and selfless support.”
Enabling future action on dangerous pesticides
CPSP hopes that, when acted on, this training will help improve detection of pesticides used for self-poisoning in Nepal.
Professor Michael Eddleston, Director of the Centre for Pesticide Suicide Prevention, said:
“Over the years, we have established a fantastic relationship with Sudan and his team at the Nepal Police Central Forensic Science Laboratory. The data they provide is essential to our work on preventing deaths from pesticide self-poisoning in the country. When asked, we were therefore delighted to be able to help them improve their knowledge of mass spectrometry, by connecting them with experts and colleagues here at the University of Edinburgh.
“We hope that the experiences and skills gained will help to identify pesticides used for self-poisoning in Nepal, which may have previously been missed. Ultimately, this will equip us with robust evidence that can be used to engage policy-makers and enable future bans on dangerous pesticides.”
Find out more
Watch: Banning pesticides to prevent suicides in Nepal (age-restricted)
*Warning: contains content about self-harm and suicide that some people may find upsetting* This short film shares Nepal’s journey and ongoing work to save lives from pesticide poisoning.
Publications
Suicide by pesticide ingestion in Nepal and the impact of pesticide regulation (June, 2021)
Intentional pesticide poisoning and pesticide suicides in Nepal (July 2021)