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Cannabinoids in postmortem toxicology.

Nikolas P Lemos1, Eric A Ingle

  • 1Forensic Laboratory Division, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Hall of Justice-North Terrace, 850 Bryant Street, San Francisco, California 94103, USA.

Journal of Analytical Toxicology
|August 30, 2011
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Including cannabinoid testing in postmortem toxicology screens is crucial. Analysis of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and its metabolites in blood and urine aids death investigations, preventing erroneous conclusions.

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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Postmortem Investigations
  • Cannabinoid Analysis

Background:

  • Cannabinoids are frequently omitted from postmortem toxicology due to interpretation challenges and limited data on postmortem redistribution.
  • Exclusion of cannabinoids may lead to incomplete or incorrect inferences in death investigations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of cannabinoid testing in postmortem investigations.
  • To provide distribution data for key cannabinoids in postmortem specimens.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 30 postmortem cases with positive cannabinoid screens.
  • Confirmation and quantification of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC-COOH) in blood and urine.
  • Analysis of postmortem interval (PMI) in relation to blood concentration ratios.

Main Results:

  • THC was detected in all peripheral blood (BL-P) and 28/30 central/cardiac blood (BL-C) samples.
  • THC-COOH was present in 23/30 urine (UR) samples.
  • Mean concentrations were reported for THC, THC-COOH, and 11-OH-THC in BL-C and BL-P, with THC-COOH showing a potential trend with PMI.

Conclusions:

  • Cannabinoid analysis is valuable in death investigations, preventing misinterpretations.
  • This study provides essential distribution data for evaluating postmortem cannabinoid concentrations.
  • Inclusion of cannabinoids in toxicology screens improves accuracy in cause and manner of death determinations.