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Postmortem distribution and redistribution of morphine in man
1Washington State Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Postmortem morphine concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid showed no time-dependent changes. However, ventricular blood morphine levels were consistently higher than peripheral blood morphine levels.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Postmortem drug analysis is crucial for forensic investigations.
- Understanding drug distribution and stability after death is essential for accurate interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate site-dependent differences in postmortem morphine concentrations.
- To assess time-dependent changes in postmortem morphine levels.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of postmortem samples (ventricular blood, femoral blood, iliac blood, cerebrospinal fluid) from 32 cases involving morphine.
- Samples collected at two time points postmortem (T1: soon after death, T2: at autopsy).
- Morphine quantification using radioimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- No significant time-dependent changes in morphine concentrations were observed in central, peripheral, or cerebrospinal fluid samples.
- Ventricular blood morphine concentrations were consistently higher than peripheral blood (femoral or iliac).
- Femoral and iliac blood morphine concentrations were highly correlated, indicating suitability for peripheral sampling.
Conclusions:
- Postmortem time does not significantly alter morphine concentrations in blood or CSF.
- Higher morphine concentrations in ventricular blood compared to peripheral sites are a key finding.
- Femoral or iliac blood are reliable sites for peripheral postmortem morphine testing.