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Oral Cavity Fluid as an Alternative Postmortem Matrix: Comparison to Simultaneously Collected Blood and Urine
Joseph Cox1, Kylea Morris1, Autumn C Miller2
1From the Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
Summary
Oral cavity fluid (OCF) shows promise as a postmortem toxicology specimen. This fluid detected more drugs and metabolites than traditional matrices like blood or urine, especially in challenging cases.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Postmortem Investigations
Background:
- Postmortem toxicology relies on various biological specimens.
- Oral cavity fluid (OCF) is an emerging alternative matrix.
- OCF is valuable when blood or urine are limited or unavailable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate analytical results from OCF.
- To compare OCF with traditional postmortem matrices (blood, urine).
- To assess OCF's utility in forensic toxicology.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of OCF, blood, and urine from 62 postmortem subjects.
- Quantification of drugs and metabolites.
- Comparative analysis of detection frequencies across matrices.
Main Results:
- 56 subjects yielded quantifiable drug data in OCF, blood, and urine.
- OCF showed higher detection rates for benzoylecgonine, ethyl sulfate, acetaminophen, morphine, naloxone, gabapentin, fentanyl, and 6-acetylmorphine.
- These analytes were detected more frequently in OCF than in blood or urine.
Conclusions:
- Oral cavity fluid is a suitable matrix for postmortem drug and metabolite detection.
- OCF offers advantages over traditional matrices, especially in cases with limited or degraded samples.
- OCF enhances diagnostic capabilities in forensic toxicology.
