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Methamphetamine and amphetamine concentrations in postmortem rabbit tissues
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Forensic Science International
|November 1, 1990
Summary
Detecting methamphetamine and amphetamine in postmortem tissues is feasible for up to 2 years. This study confirms drug abuse and toxicity can be identified even in decayed or stained biological samples.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Postmortem Drug Analysis
Background:
- Determining drug abuse and toxicity from postmortem evidence is crucial.
- Investigating the stability of methamphetamine and amphetamine in various tissue types over time is necessary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of detecting methamphetamine and its metabolite, amphetamine, in postmortem tissues over a 2-year period.
- To evaluate the impact of different storage conditions (sealed, air-dried, water-submerged, stained on gauze) on drug detection.
Main Methods:
- Methamphetamine was administered intravenously to rabbits.
- Various tissues (blood, urine, liver, muscle, skin, bone) were collected and stored under four different conditions for 2 years.
- Samples were analyzed for the presence and concentration of methamphetamine.
Main Results:
- Methamphetamine was detectable in all examined tissues after 2 years.
- Slight concentration changes were observed in sealed and air-dried tissues.
- Significant changes occurred in bone samples stored in water.
- Considerable decreases in methamphetamine were noted in blood and urine stains.
Conclusions:
- Drug abuse and toxicity can be determined from various postmortem tissues even after long-term storage.
- Tissue type and storage conditions influence drug stability, with blood and urine stains showing significant degradation.