Forensic analysis of triazolam in human tissues using capillary gas chromatography

A reliable and sensitive method has been developed to assess the concentrations of the hypnotic drug triazolam in human tissues, including putrefied tissues. The method involves a 3-step solvent extraction, clean-up on a silica gel column and gas chromatography using a nitrogen phosphorus detector and a capillary column. Estazolam was used as an internal standard. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 1 ng/g-1 microgram/g and the lower limit of detection was 0.5 ng/g. A forensic study was performed on the toxicological effects of triazolam using putrefied tissues.