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Cocaine in decomposed human remains.

D T Manhoff1, I Hood, F Caputo

  • 1Medical Examiner's Office, Philadelphia, PA.

Journal of Forensic Sciences
|November 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Cocaine detection in decomposed human remains is feasible. Forensic toxicology can identify cocaine even in advanced decomposition states, challenging previous assumptions about drug stability.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Postmortem Investigations

Background:

  • Cocaine is known to be labile and rapidly degraded.
  • Assumptions exist regarding the limited stability of cocaine postmortem.
  • Accurate toxicological analysis is crucial in forensic investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the feasibility of detecting cocaine in decomposed human tissues.
  • To assess the stability of cocaine in various postmortem matrices.
  • To evaluate the utility of toxicological testing in advanced decomposition cases.

Main Methods:

  • Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used for cocaine analysis.
  • Samples included soft tissue, decomposition fluid, mummified tissue, maggots, and beetle feces.

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  • Analysis was performed on samples from 77 decomposed human bodies.

    • Main Results:

    • Cocaine was detected in 22 out of 77 cases (28.6%).
    • Positive results were found even in advanced states of decomposition.
    • Various biological samples, including tissues and insect matter, yielded positive results.

    Conclusions:

    • Testing decomposed human tissue for cocaine is a valuable forensic tool.
    • Cocaine can be reliably detected in postmortem samples despite expected degradation.
    • These findings support the inclusion of cocaine testing in suspected cases, regardless of decomposition severity.