Application of high-performance liquid chromatography to a fatality involving azide

We describe a fatality resulting from the ingestion of sodium azide. Initial routine toxicological screening of the blood showed a negative result, but pathological findings as well as findings at the scene itself led to the search for azide. The azide was quantitated in all available postmortem samples (blood, stomach contents, liver, kidney, and bile) and was present in all of these matrices in the following concentrations (micrograms per milliliter or micrograms per gram): 262, 754, 14, 205, and 1283, respectively. The method is based on precolumn derivatization with 3,5-dinitrobenzoyl chloride followed by isocratic high-performance liquid chromatography and photodiode array detection. Methemoglobin and cyanide content in the blood were also elevated.