American Board of Forensic Toxicology
Diplomate of the ABFT - Forensic Toxicology (D-ABFT-FT)
License 1285
Acquired: August 2012
Requalified: December 2017
Requalification: December 2022
Master of Science, Forensic Toxicology (Veterinary Medical Sciences)
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Franklin College
Franklin, IN 46143
Professional Experience
Axis Forensic Toxicology
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Senior Forensic Toxicologist (07/2016 - Present)
American Institute of Toxicology
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Forensic Toxicologist (05/2011 - 07/2016)
Assistant Technical Director (04/2010 - 05/2011)
Laboratory Manager - Mass Spectrometry Screening / Esoteric Testing (03/2009 - 04/2010)
Laboratory Manager - Forensics (05/2008 - 03/2009)
Senior Chemist - Research and Development (05/2006 - 05/2008)
Analytical Chemist - Research and Development (05/2003 - 05/2006)
Professional Affiliations
Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) - Full Member
2008 - Present
SOFT Designer Drugs Committee
2017 - Present
SOFT Young Forensic Toxicologists Committee
2014 - Present
SOFT ToxTalk "From the Toxicology Literature" Editor
2015 - Present
American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT)
2015 - 2017
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) - Associate Member
2018 - Present
Teaching Experience
Toxicology of Designer Drugs. FIS49600. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. Department of Chemistry. Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program. 2019.
Requalification: December 2022
Master of Science, Forensic Toxicology (Veterinary Medical Sciences)
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
Bachelor of Arts, Biology
Franklin College
Franklin, IN 46143
Professional Experience
Axis Forensic Toxicology
Indianapolis, IN 46278
Senior Forensic Toxicologist (07/2016 - Present)
American Institute of Toxicology
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Forensic Toxicologist (05/2011 - 07/2016)
Assistant Technical Director (04/2010 - 05/2011)
Laboratory Manager - Mass Spectrometry Screening / Esoteric Testing (03/2009 - 04/2010)
Laboratory Manager - Forensics (05/2008 - 03/2009)
Senior Chemist - Research and Development (05/2006 - 05/2008)
Analytical Chemist - Research and Development (05/2003 - 05/2006)
Professional Affiliations
Society of Forensic Toxicologists (SOFT) - Full Member
2008 - Present
SOFT Designer Drugs Committee
2017 - Present
SOFT Young Forensic Toxicologists Committee
2014 - Present
SOFT ToxTalk "From the Toxicology Literature" Editor
2015 - Present
American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT)
2015 - 2017
American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) - Associate Member
2018 - Present
Teaching Experience
Toxicology of Designer Drugs. FIS49600. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. Department of Chemistry. Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program. 2019.
Toxicology of Designer Drugs. FIS49600. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis. Department of Chemistry. Forensic and Investigative Sciences Program. 2017.
Social Media Outreach / Education
The Dose Makes the Poison: The Toxcast. A podcast about science, drugs, poisons, and forensic toxicology in pop culture and the news. Creator, host, and editor. 2019 - Present.
Academic Research Projects
The Effects of Acquisition of Blood Specimens on Drug Levels and the Effects of Transportation Conditions on Degradation of Drugs. J. McLemore, E.W. Schwilke, K. Shanks, D. Klein. 244230, 2010-DN-BX-K216. U.S. Department of Justice.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Toxicological Drug Screening Using Paper Spray High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS/MS). J. McKenna, R. Jett, K. Shanks, N.E. Manicke. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2018).
Three Cases of Fatal Acrylfentanyl Toxicity in the United States and a Review of the Literature. D. Butler, K. Shanks, G. Behonick, D. Smith, S. Presnell, L. Tormos. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2017)
Detection of Carfentanil by LC-MS-MS and Reports of Associated Fatalities in the USA. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2017)
Carfentanil Identified in Two Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Cases. N.B. Tiscione, K. Shanks. ToxTalk, Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. (2016)
Rapid Screening and Identification of Novel Psychoactive Substances Using Paper Spray Interfaced to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. J. Kennedy, K. Shanks, K. Van Natta, M.C. Prieto Conaway, J.M. Wiseman, B. Laughlin, M. Kozak. Clinical Mass Spectrometry (2016)
Synthetic Cannabinoid Product Surveillance by LC/ToF in 2013-2015. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology (2016)
Death After the Use of the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-AMB. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Forensic Science International (2016)
Death Associated with the Use of the Synthetic Cannabinoid ADB-FUBINACA. K. Shanks, W. Clark, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2016)
Fatal Intoxications with 25B-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe in Indiana during 2014. K. Shanks, T. Sozio, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2015)
Case Reports of Synthetic Cannabinoid XLR-11 Associated Fatalities. K. Shanks, D. Winston, J. Heidingsfelder, G. Behonick. Forensic Science International (2015)
Four Postmortem Case Reports with Quantitative Detection of the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-PB-22. G. Behonick, K. Shanks, D. Firchau, G. Mathur, C. Lynch, M. Nashelsky, D. Jaskierny, C. Meroueh. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2014)
A Guide for the Interpretation of Postmortem Methamphetamine Findings: A Series of Case Reports. K. Quigley, K. Shanks, G. Behonick, A. Terrell. Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology (2014)
Identification of Novel Third Generation Synthetic Cannabinoids in Products by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, G. Behonick, A. Terrell (2013)
Detection of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants in First and Second Generation Legal Highs by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/ToF). K. Shanks, T. Dahn, G. Behonick, A. Terrell. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2012)
Detection of JWH-018 and JWH-073 by UPLC/MS/MS in Postmortem Whole Blood Casework. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, A. Terrell. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2012)
Oral Presentations and Invited Talks
Medical-Legal Death Investigation in the Age of Designer Opioids.
Kentucky Coroner's Association Annual Training Meeting, Louisville, KY (2018)
Poster Presentations
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Postmortem Blood Concentrations: A Series of Suicide Case Reports. G. Behonick, K. Shanks, A.R. Terrell – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Washington, D.C. (2013)
Academic Research Projects
The Effects of Acquisition of Blood Specimens on Drug Levels and the Effects of Transportation Conditions on Degradation of Drugs. J. McLemore, E.W. Schwilke, K. Shanks, D. Klein. 244230, 2010-DN-BX-K216. U.S. Department of Justice.
Peer Reviewed Publications
Toxicological Drug Screening Using Paper Spray High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS/MS). J. McKenna, R. Jett, K. Shanks, N.E. Manicke. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2018).
Three Cases of Fatal Acrylfentanyl Toxicity in the United States and a Review of the Literature. D. Butler, K. Shanks, G. Behonick, D. Smith, S. Presnell, L. Tormos. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2017)
Detection of Carfentanil by LC-MS-MS and Reports of Associated Fatalities in the USA. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2017)
Carfentanil Identified in Two Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Cases. N.B. Tiscione, K. Shanks. ToxTalk, Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Inc. (2016)
Rapid Screening and Identification of Novel Psychoactive Substances Using Paper Spray Interfaced to High Resolution Mass Spectrometry. J. Kennedy, K. Shanks, K. Van Natta, M.C. Prieto Conaway, J.M. Wiseman, B. Laughlin, M. Kozak. Clinical Mass Spectrometry (2016)
Synthetic Cannabinoid Product Surveillance by LC/ToF in 2013-2015. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology (2016)
Death After the Use of the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-AMB. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Forensic Science International (2016)
Death Associated with the Use of the Synthetic Cannabinoid ADB-FUBINACA. K. Shanks, W. Clark, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2016)
Fatal Intoxications with 25B-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe in Indiana during 2014. K. Shanks, T. Sozio, G. Behonick. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2015)
Case Reports of Synthetic Cannabinoid XLR-11 Associated Fatalities. K. Shanks, D. Winston, J. Heidingsfelder, G. Behonick. Forensic Science International (2015)
Four Postmortem Case Reports with Quantitative Detection of the Synthetic Cannabinoid 5F-PB-22. G. Behonick, K. Shanks, D. Firchau, G. Mathur, C. Lynch, M. Nashelsky, D. Jaskierny, C. Meroueh. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2014)
A Guide for the Interpretation of Postmortem Methamphetamine Findings: A Series of Case Reports. K. Quigley, K. Shanks, G. Behonick, A. Terrell. Journal of Forensic Toxicology and Pharmacology (2014)
Identification of Novel Third Generation Synthetic Cannabinoids in Products by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, G. Behonick, A. Terrell (2013)
Detection of Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants in First and Second Generation Legal Highs by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/ToF). K. Shanks, T. Dahn, G. Behonick, A. Terrell. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2012)
Detection of JWH-018 and JWH-073 by UPLC/MS/MS in Postmortem Whole Blood Casework. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, A. Terrell. Journal of Analytical Toxicology (2012)
Oral Presentations and Invited Talks
Medical-Legal Death Investigation in the Age of Designer Opioids.
Kentucky Coroner's Association Annual Training Meeting, Louisville, KY (2018)
LC/ToF
Method Development and Validation
Toxicology
Method Development and Validation Workshop – California Office of Traffic
Safety
Rancho
Cordova, CA (2017)
Fentanyl
Analogs and Designer Opioids: To Go Where No One Has Gone Before
Missouri
Medical Examiner and Coroner’s Training Conference, Jefferson City, MO (2017)
Not
Your Father’s Heroin: Fentanyl and Analogs
Kentucky
Coroner’s Association Annual Training Meeting, Louisville, KY (2017)
Synthetic
Cannabinoids: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Midwest
Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Annual Meeting,
Rosemont, IL (2017)
LC/ToF
Method Development and Validation
Toxicology
Method Development and Validation Workshop – California Office of Traffic
Safety
Santa
Ana, CA (2017)
New
Psychoactive Substances: Synthetic Cannabinoids to Fentanyl Analogs.
Illinois
Coroner and Medical Examiner’s Association, Peoria, IL (2016)
Forensic
Chemistry Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything): American Chemical Society, National
Chemistry Week (2016)
https://www.reddit.com/r/science/comments/583fbs/american_chemical_society_ama_hi_reddit_im_kevin/
New
Psychoactive Substances: Synthetic Cannabinoids to Fentanyl Analogs
Forensic
Science Seminar, Minneapolis, MN (2016)
The
Every Changing Scope of Synthetic
Cannabinoids in Toxicology Casework (2011-2015)
Society
of Forensic Toxicologists, Dallas, TX (2016)
The
Current Heroin and Fentanyl Analog Epidemic: A Toxicological Perspective.
Medicolegal
Death Investigator Training, Indiana Coroner’s Association, Indianapolis, IN
(2016)
Toxicology:
Trials and Tribulations
Regional
Drugged Driving Summit, AAA and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Blue Ash,
OH (2016)
New
Psychoactive Substances: From Synthetic Cannabinoids to Fentanyl Analogs
Wyoming
Coroner’s Association. Coroner’s Conference, Sheridan, WY (2016)
An
Introduction and Case Study Related to NBOMes
AIT
Laboratories Webinar, Indianapolis, IN (2016)
New
Psychoactive Substances: The Present and the Future
California
Association of Toxicologists Conference, Lake Tahoe, NV (2016)
Synthetic
Cannabinoids: A Primer
AIT
Laboratories Webinar, Indianapolis, IN (2016)
Three
Fatalities Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-CHMINACA
Society
of Forensic Toxicologists, Atlanta, GA (2015)
Instrumentation
in the Forensic Toxicology Laboratory: Advantages and Disadvantages
Society
of Forensic Toxicologists, Atlanta, GA (2015)
Deaths
Associated With Synthetic Cannabinoids in the USA
Florida
Association of Medical Examiner’s Annual Meeting, Daytona Beach, FL (2015)
Postmortem
Toxicology: Specimen Selection, Drug Trends, and The Future
Kentucky
Coroner’s Association Annual Conference, Louisville, KY (2015)
Case
Reports: Fatalities Associated with the Synthetic Cannabinoid, AB-PINACA
Society
of Forensic Toxicologists, Grand Rapids, MI (2014)
Introduction
to Forensic Toxicology
Indiana
Academy of Mathematics and Sciences, Muncie, IN (2013)
Designer
Drugs: From Product Surveillance to Forensic Casework
Michigan
Association of Medical Examiners Conference, Mt. Pleasant, MI (2013)
The
Forensics of Drug Diversion and Synthetic Drugs
International
Symposium on Safe Medicine, Charleston, WV (2013)
Designer
Drugs: Synthetic Cannabinoids, Stimulants, and Psychedelics
American
Academy of Family Physicians, Corporate Health Directors Network, Washington,
D.C. (2013)
K2,
Bath Salts and Emerging Toxicology Trends in the Midwest
Iowa
Association of County Medical Examiners’ Fall Meeting and Education Expo, Des
Moines, IA (2012)
Designing
Disaster: The History of the Designer Drug
Movement, 1960s to Present
Forensic
Science Lecture Series. Indiana Medical
History Museum (2012)
Analytical
Challenges of Synthetic Cannabinoids
Pharmacology
Workshop. Midwest Association of
Forensic Scientists, Milwaukee, WI (2012)
Drug
Facilitated Sexual Assault
St.
Franciscan Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) training (2012)
New
Designer Drugs – Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants
Indiana
Coroner’s Association, Coroner’s Conference, Merillville, IN (2012)
New
Designer Drugs – Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants
Colorado
Coroner’s Association, Coroner’s Conference, Pueblo, CO (2012)
New
Designer Drugs – Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants
Wyoming
Coroner’s Association, Coroner’s Conference, Sheridan, WY (2012)
Drug
Facilitated Sexual Assault
St.
Franciscan Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) training (2011)
New
Designer Drugs – Synthetic Cannabinoids and Synthetic Stimulants
Kentucky
Coroner’s Association, Drug Death Investigation Course, Lake Barkley, KY (2011)
General
Unknown Screening Using ToF-MS: A Reference Lab Perspective
The
Association for Mass Spectrometry: Applications to the Clinical Laboratory, San
Diego, CA (2011)
Nonroutine
Case Studies in Forensic Toxicology
Butler
University, Indianapolis, IN. Chemistry Seminar (2010)
UPLC/MS
Applications in Forensic Toxicology
Midwest
Association of Forensic Scientists, Des Moines, IA (2008)
UPLC
and Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Unknown Screening in Forensic
Toxicology
Waters
UPLC Symposium, Indianapolis, IN (2007)
Poster Presentations
A Snapshot of Fentanyl Analogs and Designer Opioids: Butler County, Ohio (2016 - 2018). K. Shanks, G. Behonick, L. Mannix. Society of Forensic Toxicologists, San Antonio, TX (2019)
Detection of Three Synthetic Cannabinoid Butanoic Acid Metabolites in Postmortem Blood by LC-MS/MS. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring. Cleveland, OH (2019)
Detection of the Synthetic Cannabinoid, 5F-ADB, in Postmortem Toxicology. K. Shanks, G. Behonick. Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Indianapolis, IN (2018)
Analysis of AB-CHMINACA in Hair by Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, C. Soni, D. Engelhart, E.S. Lavins, K. Shanks, C.K. Naso-Kaspar, T.P. Gilson – Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Milwaukee, WI (2016)
Analysis of AB-CHMINACA in Hair by Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, C. Soni, D. Engelhart, E.S. Lavins, K. Shanks, C.K. Naso-Kaspar, T.P. Gilson – Midwest Association of Toxicology and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Milwaukee, WI (2016)
Detection of Synthetic
Cannabinoids in Two E-Cigarette Liquids. K. Shanks – Society of
Forensic Toxicologists, Atlanta, GA (2015)
Postmortem Tissue Distribution
of AB-CHMINACA Following Lethal Intoxication Compared with AB-CHMINACA
Concentrations in Impaired Drivers. E.S. Lavins, K. Shanks, D.E.
Englehart, H.E. Schueler, D.A. Galita, A.D. McCollum, C.H. Soni, P.D. Boggs,
D.E. Rohde, C.K Naso-Kaspar, S. Sofalvi, M. Hansbrough, C. Carroll-Pankhurst,
T.P Gilson. – Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Atlanta, GA (2015)
Rapid Screening and
Identification of Designer Drugs in Powders or Plant Materials Using Paper
Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry. J.H. Kennedy, K. Shanks, K. Van
Natta, M.C. Prieto Conaway, B. Laughlin, J.M. Wiseman, M. Kozak – American
Association for Mass Spectrometry, St. Louis, MO (2015)
Evaluation of Postmortem
Methamphetamine Concentrations: A Series of Case Studies. K.M. Kitts, G.S.
Behonick, K. Shanks – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Seattle,
WA (2014)
Detection of Alpha-PVP in Postmortem Blood Casework by UPLC/MS/MS. K. Shanks, G. Behonick, A. Terrell - Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Orlando, FL (2013)
Case Report: Identification of
8-hydroxyquinoline Cannabinoids in Herbal Products. K. Shanks, G.S.
Behonick, A.R. Terrell – Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Orlando, FL (2013)
Evaluation of Postmortem
Methamphetamine Concentrations. K. Kitts, G. Behonick, K. Shanks –
Midwest Association of Forensic Scientists, Dayton, OH (2013)
Death by ‘Legal Psychedelic
Phenethylamines’: Postmortem Tissue Distribution of Desoxypipradrol (2-DPMP)
and 4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine (DOC). E.S. Lavins, M. Pietrangelo, K.
Shanks, C. Cushman, S. Sofalvi, J. Felo, J.F. Wyman, T.P. Gilson - American
Academy of Forensic Sciences, Washington D.C. (2013)
Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) Postmortem Blood Concentrations: A Series of Suicide Case Reports. G. Behonick, K. Shanks, A.R. Terrell – American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Washington, D.C. (2013)
A Dual Quantitative/Qualitative
Screening Analysis for 32 Antidepressants and Metabolites in Human Urine by
UPLC/ToF. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, A.
Terrell – Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Richmond, VA (2010)
Analysis of Prilocaine in
Postmortem Whole Blood and Vitreous Fluid Utilizing UPLC/ToF (Screening) and
UPLC/MS/MS (Confirmation). M. Klebs, K.Shanks, A. Terrell – Midwest
Association of Forensic Science, Des Moines, IA (2008)
A Rapid General Unknown Screen in Blood by Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography and Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry. K. Shanks, T. Dahn, M. Larson, A. Terrell - American Association of Clinical Chemistry, Washington, D.C. (2008)
Screening of Postmortem
Specimens for Drugs of Abuse and Therapeutic Drugs by UPLC/ToF. K. Shanks,
T. Dahn, M. Larson, A. Terrell, J. Bohuslavek – Society of Forensic
Toxicologists, Raleigh-Durham, NC (2007)
Quantitation of Seven Opioids in
Urine Utilizing HPLC-MS/MS”. T. Dahn, K. Shanks, A. Terrell, T. Sasaki –
Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Austin, TX (2006)
Evaluation of a LC/MS Method to
Screen For Drugs in Postmortem Whole Blood Specimens. K. Shanks, T.
Dahn, A. Terrell, J. Bohuslavek – Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Austin,
TX (2006)
