Isolation of drugs from post mortem specimens with the automated sample processor. Part I. Barbiturate derivatives

Employing an automated sample processor, barbiturate positive tissue homogenates were analyzed to yield gas and liquid chromatographic data. Excellent quality extracts were produced that could be assayed by either GC/NPD or HPLC. Good precision and accuracy was found (CV 2-5%) with approximately 200 mg of tissue sample. The technique has been applied to authentic post mortem tissues and fluids.