A meta‐analysis of marijuana, cocaine and opiate toxicology study findings among homicide victims

Abstract

Aim To synthesize the results of marijuana, cocaine and opiate drug toxicology studies of homicide victims and examine variation in results across person and setting characteristics. Methods A meta-analysis of 18 independent studies identified from an extensive review of 239 published articles that met the inclusion criteria of reporting marijuana, cocaine and/or opiate toxicology test results for homicide victims. A total of 28 868 toxicology test results derived from 30 482 homicide victims across five countries were examined. Results On average, 6% of homicide victims tested positive for marijuana, 11% tested positive for cocaine, and 5% tested positive for opiates. The proportion of homicide victims testing positive for illicit drugs has increased over time. Age had a strong curvilinear relationship with toxicology test results, but gender differences were not apparent. Hispanic and African American homicide victims were more likely to test positive for cocaine; Caucasians were most likely to test positive for opiates. Cocaine use appeared to be related to increased risk of death from a firearm and was a greater risk factor for violent victimization in the United States than in Newfoundland and Scandinavia. Conclusion There are relatively few studies of illicit drug toxicology reports from homicide victims that allow for cross-cultural comparisons. This study provides a basis for comparing future local toxicology test results to estimates from existing research.

A population-based study on toxicological findings in Swedish homicide victims and offenders from 2007 to 2009

“…Further, in the present study, the prevalence of victims positive for cannabis and opiates were 7.2% and 5.7%, respectively, which corresponds well with findings from a meta-analysis [33]. For cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine, on the other hand, the percentage of victims positive for these substances was, in the present study, about half the rate seen in earlier studies, which were predominantly based on data from the United States and Europe [33]. In Sweden, the prevalence of cocaine abuse has been estimated to be 0.5% in the adult population, whereas prevalence rates in the United States and Europe in 2010 were estimated to be 1.6% and 1.3%, respectively (data were extracted from https://stats.unodc.org/).…”

Deaths from abdominal trauma: analysis of 1888 forensic autopsies

“…The mortality rates of abdominal vascular injuries can reach 53% 44 . Although we studied a more specific group of individuals, we highlight the relation between cocaine and violent death, be it in cases of homicide or in cases of accidents or suicides 46 .…”

Interpretation of postmortem forensic toxicology results for injury prevention research

“…In many industrialised countries, deaths investigated by coroners and/or medical examiners are subject to some form of toxicology testing 15. These include deaths from workplace incidents, motor vehicle crashes, suspected drowning, homicides and any other death that was not natural, or in which a reasonable cause of death could not be provided by a medical practitioner.…”

“…Previous research has applied some, but not all, of these considerations, for instance, a meta-analysis of toxicology results among homicide victims 15. The current paper describes the range of considerations required for toxicology testing and interpretation in a postmortem setting applicable to injury prevention research.…”