Advertisement
Research Article| Volume 18, ISSUE 2, P263-278, June 1998

Advances in Forensic Toxicology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-2712(18)30171-9
Advances in Forensic Toxicology
Previous ArticleForensic Pathology: Pulmonary Disease
Next ArticleDeveloping Medicolegal Death Investigator Systems in Forensic Pathology
      This paper is only available as a PDF. To read, Please Download here.
      Over the last 15 years there have been many changes in the practice of forensic toxicology. One of the most noteworthy has been the recognition of the need for good laboratory practices in the forensic toxicology laboratory. This has resulted in the development of an accreditation program for laboratories. Increasingly, forensic toxicologists are asked to interpret results in driving under the influence of drug cases. These interpretations are also difficult because of the lack of data correlating blood (or plasma) concentrations with impairment. The development of newer immunoassays and hyphenated mass spectrometric techniques now allow the forensic toxicologist to assay a large number of drugs (both traditional and products of the biotechnology revolution) with increasing sensitivity. This article focuses on these changes and some of the challenges facing the forensic toxicologists of the 21st century.
      To read this article in full you will need to make a payment

      Purchase one-time access:

      Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online access
      One-time access price info
      • For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
      • For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'

      Subscribers receive full online access to your subscription and archive of back issues up to and including 2002.

      Content published before 2002 is available via pay-per-view purchase only.

      Subscribe:

      Subscribe to Clinics in Laboratory Medicine
      Already a print subscriber? Claim online access
      Already an online subscriber? Sign in
      Register: Create an account
      Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect

      References

        • Anderson W.H.
        • Prouty R.W.
        Postmortem redistribution of drugs.
        in: Bajelt R.C. Advances in Analytical Toxicology, volume II. Year Book, Chicago1989: 70
        • Attwood D.A.
        • Williams R.D.
        • Bowser J.S.
        • et al.
        The Effects of Moderate Levels of Alcohol and Marijuana, Alone and in Combination on Closed Course Driving Performance. Defense and Civil Institute of Environmental Medicine (81-RSU-17).
        Down view, Ontario1981
        • Bailey D.N.
        • Shaw R.F.
        Concentrations of basic drugs in postmortem human myocardium.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1982; 6: 197
        • Bailey D.N.
        • Shaw R.F.
        Interpretation of blood and tissue concentrations in fatal self-ingested overdose involving amitriptyline: An update.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1980; 4: 232
        • Bailey D.N.
        • Shaw R.F.
        Tricyclic antidepressants: Interpretation of blood and tissue levels in fatal overdose.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1979; 3: 43

      6. Bandt CW: Postmortem changes in serum levels of the tricyclic antidepressants. Presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting, Los Angeles, 1980

        • Barnett G.
        • Lieko V.
        • Thompson T.
        Behavioral pharmacokinetics of marijuana.
        Psychopharmacology. 1985; 85: 51
        • Brunk S.D.
        False negative GCMS assay for carboxy THC due to ibuprofen interference.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1988; 12: 290
        • Cagle J.C.
        • McCurdy H.H.
        • Pan Y.M.
        • et al.
        Evaluation of the CEDIA® DAU assays and the 20AxSym® system for the analysis of cannabinoids in whole blood.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 213
        • Catlin D.H.
        • Hatton C.K.
        • Starcevic S.H.
        Issues in detecting abuse of xenobiotic anabolic steroids and testosterone by analysis of athletes’ urine.
        Clin Chem. 1997; 43: 1280
        • Cimbura G.
        • Lucas D.M.
        • Bennet R.C.
        • et al.
        Incidence and toxicological aspects of cannabis and ethanol detected in 1394 fatally injured drivers and pedestrians in Ontario (1982 to 1984).
        J Forensic Sei. 1982; 35: 1035
        • Cowan D.
        • Kieman A.
        Doping in sport: Misuse, analytical tests and legal aspects.
        Clin Chem. 1997; 43: 1261
        • Cravey R.H.
        • Baselt R.C.
        The science of forensic toxicology.
        in: Cravey R.H. Baselt R.C. Introduction to Forensic Toxicology. Biomedical Publications, Davis, CA1981: 3
        • Crouch D.J.
        • Alburges M.E.
        • Spanbauer A.C.
        • et al.
        Analysis of cocaine and its metabolites from biological specimens using solid phase extraction and positive ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 352
        • Dackis C.A.
        • Pottash A.L.C.
        • Annitto W.
        • et al.
        Persistence of urinary marijuana levels after supervised abstinence.
        Am J Psychiatry. 1982; 139: 1196
        • de la Torre R.
        • Segura J.
        • de Zeeuw
        • et al.
        Recommendations for the reliable detection of illicit drugs in urine in the European Union, with special attention to the workplace.
        Bulletin of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists. 1997; 17: 14
      17. Doping in sport: Symposium proceedings.
        Clin Chem. 1997; 43: 1261
        • Karch J.
        Drug Abuse Handbook.
        CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton1998
        • Ellis G.M.
        • Mann M.A.
        • Judson B.A.
        • et al.
        Excretion patterns of cannabinoid metabolites after last use in a group of chronic users.
        Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1985; 38: 572
        • El Sohly M.A.
        • Feng S.
        • Kopycki W.J.
        • et al.
        A procedure to overcome interferences caused by the adulterant “Klear” in the GCMS analysis of ll-nor-delta-9-THC-9-COOH.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 240
        • Fallani M.
        Contributo alio studio della circolazione ematica post-mortale.
        Minerva Medicolegale. 1961; 81: 108

      22. Forensic Toxicology Laboratory Guidelines, Society of Forensic Toxicologists and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Toxicology Section, Mesa and Colorado Springs, 1991

        • Liu R.H.
        • Goldberger B.A.
        Handbook of Workplace Drug Testing.
        Washington, DC, AACC Press1995
        • Hilberg T.
        • Morland J.
        • Bjomeboe A.
        Postmortem release of amitriptyline from the lungs, a mechanism of postmortem drug redistribution.
        Forensic Sei Int. 1994; 64: 47
        • Hoja H.
        • Marquet H.
        • Vemeuil H.
        • et al.
        Applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in analytical toxicology: A review.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 116
        • Floja H.
        • Marquet P.
        • Vemeuil B.
        • et al.
        Determination of buprenorphine and norbuprenorphine in whole blood by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 160
        • Hold K.M.
        • Wilkins D.G.
        • Crouch D.J.
        • et al.
        Detection of stanozolol in hair by negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 345
        • Huang W.
        • Moody D.E.
        • Foltz R.L.
        • et al.
        Determination of naltrexone and 6-beta-naltrexol in plasma by solid phase extraction and gas chromatography-negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 252
        • Huang W.
        • Moody D.
        Immunoassay detection of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine metabolites in blood.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 333
        • Huestis M.A.
        • Mitchell J.M.
        • Cone E.J.
        Detection times of marijuana metabolites in urine by immunoassay and GCMS.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 443
        • Huestis M.A.
        • Mitchell J.M.
        • Cone E.J.
        Urinary excretion profiles of ll-nor-9-carboxy-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol in humans after single smoked doses of marijuana.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 441
        • Inoue T.
        • Seta S.
        • Goldberger B.
        Analysis of drugs in unconventional samples.
        in: Liu R.H. Goldberger B.A. Handbook of Workplace Drug Testing. AACC Press, Washington, DC1995: 131
        • Jenkins A.J.
        • Oyler J.M.
        • Cone E.J.
        Comparison of heroin and cocaine concentrations in saliva and blood and plasma.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 359

      34. Jones GR: Postmortem redistribution of drugs-further evidence of major changes. Presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, 1986

        • Jones G.R.
        • Pounder D.J.
        Site dependence of drug concentrations in postmortem blood-a case study.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1987; 11: 184
        • Klonoff H.
        Marijuana and driving in real-life situations.
        Science. 1974; 186: 317
        • Kuhlman J.J.
        • Lalani S.
        • Magluilo Jr., J.
        • et al.
        Human pharmacokinetics of intravenous, sublingual, and buccal buprenorphine.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 369

      38. Laboratory Accreditation Program, American Board of Forensic Toxicology, Colorado Springs, 1997

        • Laidler P.
        • Cowan D.A.
        • Hider R.C.
        • et al.
        Tryptic mapping of human chorionic gonadotropin by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry.
        Mass Spectrometry. 1995; 9: 1021
        • Lin D.L.
        • Chen C.Y.
        • Shaw K.P.
        • et al.
        Distribution of codeine, morphine and 6-acetylmor-phine in vitreous humor.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 258
        • Liu C.
        • Bowers L.D.
        Mass spectrometric characterization of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin.
        Journal of Mass Spectrometry. 1997; 32: 33
        • Liu R.H.
        Evaluation of commercial immunoassay kits for effective workplace drug testing.
        in: Liu R.H. Goldberger B.A. Handbook of Workplace Drug Testing. AACC Press, Washington, DC1995: 67
      43. Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Testing Programs.
        Federal Register. 1988; 53: 11970
      44. Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Testing Programs.
        Federal Register. 1994; 59: 29908
        • Mason A.P.
        • McBay A.J.
        Ethanol, marijuana and other drug use in 600 drivers killed in single vehicle crashes in North Carolina, 1978-1981.
        J Forensic Sei. 1984; 29: 987
        • Moody D.E.
        • Crouch D.J.
        • Sakashita C.O.
        • et al.
        A gas chromatographic-positive ion chemical ionization-mass spectrometric method for the determination of 1-alpha-acetyl-methadol (LAAM), norLAAM, and dinorLAAM in plasma, urine, and tissue.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 343
        • Moore C.
        • Negrusz A.
        Drugs of abuse in meconium.
        Forensic Science Review. 1995; 7: 103
        • Moskowitz H.
        Marijuana and driving.
        Accident Analysis and Prevention. 1985; 17: 323
        • Peat M.A.
        Distribution of delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol and its metabolites.
        in: Baselt R.C. Advances in Analytical Toxicology, vol II. Year Book, Chicago1989: 186
        • Peat M.A.
        Financial viability of screening for drugs of abuse.
        Clin Chem. 1995; 41: 805

      51. Peat MA, Davis AE, Clabaugh M, et al: Today’s GCMS drug testing laboratory: Automation of extraction, GCMS instruments and data review. Presented at the 34th International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, Interlaken, 1996

        • Peat M.A.
        • Davis A.E.
        Analytical considerations and approaches for drugs.
        in: Karch S. Drug Abuse Handbook. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton1998: 751
        • Plueckhahn V.D.
        The significance of blood alcohol levels at autopsy.
        Med J Austr. 1967; 2: 118
        • Pounder D.J.
        • Adams E.
        • Fuke C.
        • et al.
        Site to site variability of postmortem drug concentrations in liver and lung.
        J Forensic Sei. 1996; 41: 927
        • Pounder D.J.
        • Jones G.R.
        Postmortem drug redistribution-a toxicological nightmare.
        Forensic Sei Int. 1990; 45: 253

      56. Prouty RW, Anderson WH: Documented hazards in the interpretation of postmortem blood concentrations of tricyclic antidepressants. Presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Meeting, Anaheim, 1984

        • Prouty R.W.
        • Anderson W.H.
        The forensic implications of site and temporal differences on predicting blood drug concentrations.
        J Forensic Sei. 1990; 35: 243

      58. Reagan R: Presidential Executive Order, 1986

        • Robbe H.
        Cannabis and driving.
        in: Robbe H.W.J. Influence of Marijuana on Driving. Institute for Human Psychopharmacology, Maastricht1994
        • Salamone S.J.
        Marijuana detection times: Does the methodology validate the conclusions?.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 204
        • Simpson H.M.
        Epidemiology of road accidents involving marijuana.
        Alcohol, Drugs and Driving: Abstracts and Reviews. 1986; 2: 15
        • Smiley A.M.
        • Noy Y.I.
        • Tostowaryk W.
        The effects of marijuana alone and in combination with alcohol on driving performance.
        in: Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam1987: 203
        • Smiley A.M.
        Marijuana: On-road and driving simulator studies.
        Alcohol, Drugs and Driving: Abstracts and Reviews. 1986; 2: 121
        • Söderström C.A.
        • Trifillis A.L.
        • Shankar B.S.
        • et al.
        Marijuana and alcohol use among trauma patients.
        Arch Surg. 1988; 123: 733
        • Sosnoff C.S.
        • Ann Q.
        • Bernert J.T.
        • et al.
        Analysis of benzoylecgonine in dried blood spots by liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 179
        • Stenman U.
        • Unkila-Kallio L.
        • Korhonen J.
        • et al.
        Immunoprocedures for detecting human chorionic gonadotropin hormone: Clinical aspects and doping control.
        Clin Chem. 1997; 43: 1293
        • Terhune K.W.
        • Ippolito C.A.
        • Hendricks D.L.
        • et al.
        The Incidence and Role of Drugs in Fatally Injured Drivers.
        Department of Transportation, Washington DC1992
        • Watts V.
        The Effects of Drugs on Human Performance and Behavior: Drugs and Driving /Drugs in the Workplace.
        American Academy of Forensic Sciences, Anaheim1991

      69. Transportation CFR Part 49, Special Edition of Federal Register, 1995

        • Wilkins D.G.
        • Haughey H.
        • Cone E.
        • et al.
        Quantitative analysis of THC, 11-OH-THC and THCCOOH in human hair by negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1995; 19: 483
        • Wilkins D.G.
        • Nagasawa P.R.
        • Gygi S.P.
        • et al.
        Quantitative analysis of methadone and two major metabolites in hair by positive ion chemical ionization ion trap mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1996; 20: 355
        • Williams A.F.
        • Peat M.A.
        • Crouch D.J.
        • et al.
        Drugs in fatally injured young male drivers.
        Public Health Reports. 1985; 100: 19
        • Winecker R.E.
        • Goldberger B.A.
        • Tebbett I.
        • et al.
        Detection of cocaine and its metabolites in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissue.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 97
        • Zuccaro P.
        • Ricciarello R.
        • Pichini S.
        • et al.
        Simultaneous determination of heroin, 6-monoacetylmorphine, morphine and its glucuronides by liquid chromatographyatmospheric pressure ionspray-mass spectrometry.
        J Anal Toxicol. 1997; 21: 268

      Article info

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-2712(18)30171-9

      Copyright

      © 1998 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

      ScienceDirect

      Access this article on ScienceDirect
      We use cookies to help provide and enhance our service and tailor content. To update your cookie settings, please visit the for this site.
      Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. except certain content provided by third parties. The content on this site is intended for healthcare professionals.


      RELX