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Fatal cocaine intoxication in a body packer.
Vojnosanitetski Pregled
|April 14, 2016
Summary
Fatal cocaine smuggling, known as body packing, can lead to death. Forensic analysis of cocaine and metabolite distribution in postmortem samples helps confirm acute intoxication, aiding in legal investigations.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Body packer syndrome involves smuggling drugs internally, posing risks of severe intoxication or death.
- Distinguishing cocaine intoxication from other causes of death in body packers is challenging.
- Quantifying cocaine and its metabolites in biological samples is crucial for determining acute intoxication.
Observation:
- A 26-year-old male presented with no vital signs, resuscitation was unsuccessful.
- Autopsy revealed 66 cocaine packets in the digestive tract, with one ruptured.
- Internal organ hyperemia, pulmonary and brain edema were observed.
Findings:
- High concentrations of cocaine, benzoylecgonine, and ecgonine methyl ester were detected in postmortem blood and tissues.
- Cocaine adulterant levamisole was also identified.
- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with selective-ion monitoring was used for analysis.
Implications:
- The ratio of cocaine to its metabolites in brain and blood can serve as forensic evidence.
- This method aids in confirming acute cocaine intoxication in fatalities.
- Accurate postmortem analysis is vital for legal and investigative purposes in drug smuggling deaths.