Postmortem Toxicology

The Toxicology Examination

The toxicologic investigation typically begins with the preliminary identification of drugs or chemicals present in postmortem specimens.30-39 Confirmatory testing is then performed to conclusively identify the substance(s) present in the postmortem specimens. In a forensic laboratory, positive identification must be established by at least two independent analyses, each based on a different analytic principle. The next step in the process is to determine the quantity of substance in the...

Lethal Drug Levels Post Mortem Forensic Toxicology

Blood drug level interpretation, 115 extraction adjustment, 48 gastric contents, 35 liquid chromatography, 74 liquid-liquid extraction, 47 preservatives, 15 test dip-sticks, 35 vitreous humor, 116 Pharmacogenetics, 122 Pharmacokinetics, 121-123 Pharmacological classifications, 147 Phencyclidine (PCP) confirmation, 78 investigation strategies, 71 pH adjustment, extraction, 48 quantitative analysis references, 145 screening immunoassays, 39 Phendimetrazine, 145 Phenelazine, 145 Phenobarbital fly...

Postmortem Redistribution And Other Changes

One question should be asked before attempting to interpret postmortem drug concentrations Is the concentration found likely to represent, at least approximately, that present at the time of death Unfortunately, the answer is often a flat no, or at least not necessarily. A number of factors need to be considered. It is often the case that sudden deaths involving drugs are caused by abuse or suicidal drug overdose. Death will therefore usually occur before steady state has been reached. If a...