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Related Experiment Videos

Post-mortem drug redistribution--a toxicological nightmare.

D J Pounder1, G R Jones

  • 1Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Dundee, Scotland.

Forensic Science International
|April 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
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Post-mortem drug redistribution causes falsely elevated blood drug levels due to diffusion from organs. This phenomenon complicates forensic toxicology interpretation when blood sample origin is unknown.

Area of Science:

  • Forensic Toxicology
  • Post-mortem Analysis
  • Pharmacokinetics

Background:

  • Understanding post-mortem drug redistribution is crucial for accurate forensic interpretation.
  • Previous studies have highlighted the potential for drug redistribution, but detailed human data is often limited.

Observation:

  • Human case data demonstrates significant post-mortem drug redistribution.
  • Drugs diffuse from solid organs into the bloodstream along a concentration gradient.
  • Drug concentrations vary markedly between central and peripheral blood vessels.

Findings:

  • Specific drug examples include doxepin, amobarbital, secobarbital, pentobarbital, clomipramine, flurazepam, imipramine, and their metabolites.
  • Concentrations varied significantly, e.g., amobarbital (4.3–25.8 mg/l), secobarbital (3.9–25.3 mg/l), and pentobarbital (5.1–31.5 mg/l).

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  • Highest concentrations were observed in central vessels (pulmonary artery/vein), lowest in peripheral vessels (femoral/subclavian veins).

    • Implications:

    • Post-mortem drug redistribution creates artefactual elevations in blood drug levels.
    • This phenomenon challenges the reliability of post-mortem blood data, especially when sample origin is unknown.
    • Accurate interpretation of toxicological findings requires consideration of drug redistribution effects.