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[Postmortem detection of hemp intoxication]
Insights
Forensic investigation of cannabinoid intoxication (CI) in cadavers utilized histochemical methods. Stable blue "B" (SBB) staining detected cannabinoids, aiding in CI diagnosis with high accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Toxicology
- Histochemistry
Context:
- Evaluating diagnostic tools for postmortem cannabinoid intoxication (CI).
- Assessing histochemical markers in cadavers.
- Investigating changes associated with cannabinoid use in deceased individuals.
Purpose:
- To evaluate diagnostic tools for forensic medical expertise in cases of cannabinoid intoxication (CI).
- To determine the efficacy of histochemical methods for detecting cannabinoids and associated physiological changes.
- To establish the diagnostic value of specific histochemical reactions in postmortem CI cases.
Summary:
- Histochemistry, including stable blue
- B
- (SBB) staining, was employed to detect cannabinoids in lung tissues.
- Histochemical findings revealed hyperemia and capillarostasis in the mouth and stomach, and hyperemia and edema in the lungs and brain.
- A significant decrease in aldehyde dehydrogenase (AlDG) activity was observed in the adrenal glands and brain of younger individuals. The SBB reaction in bronchial and alveolar epithelia was positive in 85% of cases, indicating high diagnostic utility.
Impact:
- Provides validated histochemical techniques for diagnosing cannabinoid intoxication in forensic settings.
- Highlights specific physiological markers indicative of CI in cadavers.
- Contributes to the accuracy and reliability of postmortem toxicological examinations.
Abstract:
The diagnostic tools applicable to the forensic medical expertise of cadavers in cannabinoid intoxication (CI) were evaluated. Histochemistry with incubation of stable blue "B" (SBB) were used for the detection of cannabinoids in the bronchi and lungs. Hyperemia and capillarostasis in the mucous tunics of the mouth and stomach as well as hyperemia and edema in the lungs and brain were histochemically detected in CI. The histochemical activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (AlDG) was most essentially decreasing in the adrenal glands and brain of younger persons. The SBB reaction in the bronchial and alveolar epithelia was positive in 85% of cases. A high proof value of the CI diagnostics was pointed out in cadaver expertise.
