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Postmortem forensic toxicology.
B S Levine1, M L Smith, R C Froede
1Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, DC.
Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Toxicologic analysis interprets drug levels to determine if they caused death. This involves assessing the cause and manner of death, considering various factors beyond just drug concentrations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Medical Examiner's Office
- Autopsy and Postmortem Analysis
Background:
- Interpreting toxicologic data is crucial in death investigations.
- Assessing the significance of toxicants requires careful consideration of multiple factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the toxicologist's role in determining cause and manner of death.
- To highlight the importance of integrating toxicologic findings with other investigative data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of toxicant concentrations in biological specimens.
- Correlation of findings with autopsy results, scene investigation, and clinical history.
Main Results:
- Toxicologic results must be evaluated for consistency with lethality.
- Determining the manner of death involves assessing factors like route of administration and dose.
Conclusions:
- The medical examiner or coroner makes the final determination of cause and manner of death.
- Toxicologic findings are essential but must be considered within a broader investigative context.