Cannabinoid distribution in fatally-injured pilots' postmortem fluids and tissues

Area of Science:

• Forensic Toxicology
• Cannabinoid Science
• Aviation Safety

Background:

• Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive component of cannabis, is known to impair cognitive and psychomotor functions.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigates general aviation pilot fatalities, including toxicological analyses for substances like cannabinoids.
• Limited postmortem data exists on cannabinoid distribution in biological specimens.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify cannabinoid concentrations in postmortem biological specimens from pilots involved in fatal airplane crashes.
• To identify the distribution of THC and its metabolites in various tissues and fluids.
• To determine the utility of different biological matrices for investigating cannabinoid-related aviation deaths.

Main Methods:

• Toxicological analysis of postmortem fluids and tissues from 10 pilots involved in general aviation incidents.
• Measurement of THC, 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH), and THCCOOH-glucuronide in blood and urine.
• Analysis of THC and its metabolites in lung, brain, liver, kidney, spleen, and heart tissues.

Main Results:

• Median blood THC concentration was 1.6 ng/mL, with metabolites 11-OH-THC, THCCOOH, and THCCOOH-glucuronide at 1.4, 9.9, and 36.6 ng/mL, respectively.
• Urine analysis detected THCCOOH, THC-glucuronide, THCCOOH-glucuronide, and THCVCOOH.
• THC was found in lung, brain, kidney, spleen, and heart. Psychoactive metabolite 11-OH-THC was identified in liver and brain. Significant THCCOOH and THCCOOH-glucuronide levels were observed in multiple organs.

Conclusions:

• Postmortem cannabinoid concentrations vary across different biological specimens.
• Liver, lung, brain, kidney, and spleen are significant matrices for detecting THCCOOH and its glucuronide metabolite.
• These findings contribute valuable data to postmortem cannabinoid research and inform investigations into cannabinoid-impaired aviation incidents.