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Evaluating the relationship between postmortem and antemortem morphine and codeine concentrations in whole blood
Samantha S Tolliver1, W Lee Hearn, Kenneth G Furton
1Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|August 9, 2011
Summary
Antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) morphine and codeine blood concentrations can be unpredictable. Factors like metabolism and postmortem interval significantly impact drug levels, affecting forensic toxicology interpretations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between antemortem (AM) and postmortem (PM) drug concentrations is crucial for accurate forensic analysis.
- Morphine and codeine are commonly encountered in postmortem investigations, necessitating reliable interpretation of blood levels.
Observation:
- This study analyzed AM and PM whole blood concentrations of morphine and codeine in seven human cases.
- The average postmortem interval was 28 hours, with an average antemortem to death interval of 97 minutes.
- Drug concentrations were sourced from Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department and local hospitals.
Findings:
- Postmortem redistribution and postmortem interval unpredictably affect PM drug concentrations.
- Postmortem redistribution impacted 4/7 morphine, 5/7 codeine, and 2/2 6-monoacetylmorphine cases.
- Metabolism also plays a role in altering drug concentrations after death.
Implications:
- Findings highlight the challenges in interpreting postmortem drug levels due to postmortem redistribution.
- Accurate toxicological interpretation requires consideration of factors influencing drug concentrations.
- This research aids forensic toxicologists in evaluating drug evidence in postmortem cases.
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