E-cigarettes, e-liquids and drug vaping – forensic perspectives on electronic nicotine delivery systems

Electronic cigarettes are devices that produce an aerosol by heating e-liquid. Their history can be traced back to the 20th century but their popularity exponentially increased in the 21st century. Multiple generations and types of e-cigarettes are available on the market with an astounding choice of e-liquids. They gained popularity in almost all countries and among all age groups. The regulation concerning them varies drastically across the world. The health impact is still not fully understood. Although e-cigarettes contain less toxic substances compared to regular cigarettes their use is still not harmless. Some studies suggest a correlation between e-cigarettes and cardiovascular diseases and a potential cancer risk. However, the most noticeable is the effect on the respiratory system. There have been reported cases of fatal respiratory failure caused by e-cigarette use. There has been an increased interest in using e-cigarettes for recreational drug use, notably cannabinoids. E-liquids have been used in suicide attempts. They are usually ingested causing potentially lethal poisoning. Furthermore, lung biopsy and extensive medical history analysis should be the cornerstone of forensic examination of deaths involving e-cigarettes.