A fatal case of trazodone and dothiepin self-poisoning is presented. A multi-technique approach (EMIT, TLC, HPLC/DAD, and GC/MS) allowed the unequivocal identification of trazodone and dothiepin as toxicologically relevant substances. Both compounds were quantitatively determined in a number of postmortem samples. Blood and urinary trazodone concentrations (28.7 and 90.5 micrograms/mL, respectively) and dothiepin concentrations (2.1 and 9.7 micrograms/mL, respectively) were far above therapeutic concentrations (i.e., 1.5 and 0.05 microgram/mL for trazodone and dothiepin, respectively, in blood) and were clearly the cause of death in this particular case. These data confirm the high toxicity and the high mortality rate in trazodone intoxications, especially when co-ingestion of other substances is involved.

Adult↗

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Determination of chloral hydrate and metabolites in a fatal intoxication.

A young woman (32 years old) was found dead in her house. Screening of postmortem blood with enzyme multiplied immunoassay (EMIT) detected benzodiazepines, salicylic acid derivatives, and caffeine. These compounds were present in nontoxic concentrations as confirmed by thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The Fujiwara-Ross reaction on blood revealed the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons in high concentrations. An optimized gas chromatographic method with electron capture detection allowed the identification and quantitation of chloral hydrate and both its metabolites, 2,2,2-trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid, in the available postmortem samples. The tissue concentrations indicated that chloral hydrate ingestion could be identified as the cause of this fatality.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

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.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of zopiclone (Imovane) in postmortem specimens by GC-MS and HPLC with diode-array detection.

A 26-year-old black female was found dead at home. Her mouth was covered with a fluid containing chalky particles. Empty strips of Imovane (zopiclone) and an empty bottle of Fortal (pentazocine) were also found. No urine was available at autopsy. Screening of postmortem blood and stomach contents with enzyme-multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT) detected only caffeine. Further screening using routine high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection and gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometric detection revealed the presence of large amounts of pentazocine in the blood and stomach contents. In the HPLC chromatogram, a second peak that was only partially resolved from the solvent front was observed. Thin-layer chromatography demonstrated the presence of zopiclone, but optimized HPLC and GC conditions had to be used for proper identification and quantitation. This case illustrates the fact that zopiclone can be easily overlooked during routine forensic screening.

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PubMedDate not supplied

Tissue distribution of trichloroethylene and its metabolites in a forensic case.

A fatality that was due to the ingestion of the halogenated solvent trichloroethylene is presented. The decedent was a 43-year-old male who was found dead at his home. Screening of the blood and stomach contents with the enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique and radioimmunoassay demonstrated the presence of ethanol, amphetamine-like compounds, caffeine, cotinine, and acetaminophen. These compounds were present in toxicologically irrelevant concentrations as confirmed by thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography (GC). The Fujiwara reaction was performed on all available matrices, and it revealed the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons in high concentrations. A specific GC method with electron capture detection allowed the quantitation of trichloroethylene and its metabolites trichloroethanol and trichloroacetic acid in different matrices. GC with Fourier-transform infrared detection was used for the confirmation of the identity of trichloroethylene.

Acetaminophen↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Relevance of toxicological screening for chloroquine in nonmalarious areas.

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Adult↗