Welcome to the Website of TIAFT 2024 Conference in St. Gallen!

We are thrilled to extend our warmest greetings and invite you to the 2024 Annual Conference of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT), set to take place in the picturesque city of St. Gallen. This conference promises to be a remarkable gathering of experts, researchers, and professionals from around the world, dedicated to advancing the field of forensic toxicology.

The TIAFT 2024 Conference will serve as a platform for fostering collaboration, sharing cutting-edge research, and promoting insightful discussions on the latest developments in forensic toxicology. Our carefully curated program will encompass a diverse range of topics, including analytical techniques, emerging drugs and substances, legal implications, case studies, and innovative methodologies.

Throughout the conference, you will be immersed in a rich tapestry of scientific exploration. Engage with leading experts in keynote sessions, participate in thought-provoking panel discussions, and delve into the nuances of cutting-edge research through enlightening workshops. TIAFT 2024 is designed to be a crucible of ideas, where the latest advancements in forensic toxicology are dissected, debated, and embraced.

This platform transcends borders, bringing together minds from various corners of the globe to share insights, challenge norms, and collectively push the boundaries of our understanding. Our program is meticulously curated to offer a comprehensive view of the latest scientific developments, technological breakthroughs, and emerging trends in forensic toxicology.

Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of forensic toxicology, exchanging ideas and experiences that contribute to the advancement of our field. Whether you're a seasoned professional, a budding researcher, or an industry enthusiast, the TIAFT 2024 Conference promises an unforgettable experience that will enrich your knowledge and expand your network.

We look forward to welcoming you to St. Gallen for an inspiring, engaging, and enlightening conference. Keep an eye on this website for updates on registration, abstract submission, keynote speakers, and more. Should you have any questions or require assistance, our dedicated team is here to help.

See you in St. Gallen!

P.S: I, Jochen Beyer, Conference Chair of the TIAFT 2024 meeting in St. Gallen, totally agree with the points stated above by ChatGPT

TIAFT/SOHT 2024 Important Information Alphabetically:

Abstract book: Some last-minute changes (e.g. poster presenters not attending) are being integrated. A pdf of the abstract book will be sent about a week prior to the meeting, allowing you to prepare for the meeting while traveling. A hardcopy will be provided as well at the beginning of the conference.
Accomodation: Rooms are filling up fast. On a recent development, a very reasonably priced new serviced apartment complex allowing for short stays will open in August. If you haven’t booked your accommodation yet, you might want you check it out: (Search | Furnished apartments in St Gallen, Switzerland | VISIONAPARTMENTS)
Otherwise, we have posted a map on the conference webpage showing which hotels are connected via a direct bus to the conference center. Lastly, we do have blocked very few rooms in an inner city 4 star hotel, which we would release now. If you are interested, feel free to send an email.
Accompanying person program: Accompanying persons will have 3 day-trips included. On offer is a visit to a chocolate factory, a trip to a cheese factory and a trip up a mountain by cable car. All trips will be offered on all three scientific only days (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday). You can select when to attend which trip. All trips can be pre-booked if you are already registered as an accompanying person (Excursions for accompanying persons – The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (tiaft2024.org)). Alternatively, you can select it at the conference registration, but pre-booking helps us in the organization of these events.
After conference tour offer: We do offer the possibility to book a two day after conference tour “best of Switzerland” to the high mountains. Check the registration page. You can always login again on the conference registration with the login and password that you created and add additional items to your booking. You can pay these separately to the primary booking
Book Donation: Those with spare forensic toxicology books can bring these to St.Gallen and we will pass these on to the TIAFT Book Donation Program for Developing Country Members.
Cheese: We agree, France may have the most varieties of cheeses, but certainly Switzerland has invented the cheese fondue, and probably even raclette. Do not miss both!
Chocolates:The Belgians claimed in 2018 in Ghent to have the best chocolate in the world. We would like to play the underdog here and let you decide for yourself when you are in the country. It is easy for us to be so confident… J
Conference venue: OLMA Messen, Splügenstrasse 12, 9008 St. Gallen (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ydg1yBRJJneWtARq5). The conference will take place in Hall 9, Registration will be in Hall 9.1. A detailed floor plan will be on the website soon, we are still negotiating with the last exhibitors and locations.
Conference webpage during the event: We have a dedicated mobile friendly conference webpage. All registered participants will receive information on how to login latest at the beginning of August.
Dress code: No specific dress code during the congress (typically casual / smart casual); for the gala dinner typically business casual/cocktail – still compatible with a dance party afterwards. We do have permission to party until 3am, so if you are keen….
Excursions: On Wed Sep 4, excursions will start after a light lunch straight from the conference venue. Three different activity levels, but we will all meet for a street food style dinner party in the country of Liechtenstein (SAL in Schaan). Busses from Liechtenstein will bring you back to St. Gallen.
Flash Poster presentations: Some poster abstracts were selected for a short (3+2’) flash presentation, which will be held in two separate locations in the Hall 9.1. Check out the program.
Fun run/walk:On Wednesday the 4^th September, we will host a fun run/walk starting at 06:30 am at the Bus stop “Rotmonten” Platform A. The run will be 4 km long with an altitude gain of 100 m. On the run you can expect spectacular views of the mountain Säntis, views down to Lake Constance, while also running through a wildlife zoo with marmots, capricorns, wild boar, lynx etc.
Oral presentations:Oral presentation time will be 9 minutes for the presentation, plus 3 minutes foreseen for questions and switching between presentations. Session chairs will be instructed to be very strict regarding timing and strongly encourage questions.
Posters: A reminder that poster displays are for portrait A0-sized poster only. Landscape Posters will not fit and we will have to put them up in a portrait orientation if you bring a landscape-orientated poster. It would be unfair to other poster presenters, to take their space. Therefore, without exception, your poster will be sideways if you bring a landscape-orientated poster! All posters will be on display during the entire conference, each poster having a specific day foreseen for presentation. You will also have the possibility to upload your poster to the dedicated meeting website. Details will soon be send out to the submitters.
Pub Crawl: As we promised, we will have a TIAFT first. After the opening ceremony and the welcome reception/exhibition opening, we will hit the city of St. Gallen to showcase some of the best pubs. The local police and Dräger will support us in breath analysis, so you can scientifically test how much you had to drink.
Questions during the Scientific Sessions: We do wish the sessions to be interactive and will foresee ways to stimulate discussion. Think pro-active about questions, don’t be shy and DO ask that question!
Registration:At the conference venue in Hall 9.1; from September 2 8:30 am.
Scientific Program: An overview of the program can be found at (Scientific Program – The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (tiaft2024.org)). The detailed program will follow shortly.
Transportation: St.Gallen can be reached from Zurich airport by public transport within an hour without changing trains. You find instructions on the website (Getting there – The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (tiaft2024.org))
Within St. Gallen: most of the city is walkable, but if you are not so keen on walking, an extensive public transport network will bring you anywhere, also until the middle of the night. If you have booked a hotel room in the city, you should get a free transportation ticket during your stay. Check with your hotel. For those who have an Airbnb or similar accommodation, transport tickets can be purchased on all busses with bank and credits cards. Consider buying a day pass as a return ticket has the same price as the day pass for the whole city (Zone 210, CHF 6.60)
Vendor seminars: We will have 5 vendor seminars, details will follow shortly.
Weather: We are trying our best to manage everything for you to have a good time in St. Gallen. Unfortunately we can’t control the weather. Expect a typical northern hemisphere summer in Europe, it will be comfortably warm, not hot as we are in the mountains. Usually early September will have a sunny period with temperatures of approximately 25 ºC cooling down to 15 ºC at night. However, the occasional thunderstorm/rain front can get to us providing significant rainfall.
Young Scientists: The YS seminar takes place at the conference venue on Monday Sep 2, from 9-12:30, followed by a lunch where Young Scientist can meet the TIAFT board (supported by TIAFT). On Tuesday there is a YS night out at the BrüW Pub. If any vendor is keen on supporting this activity, please feel free to contact us at: tiaft@kssg.ch