Postmortem Toxicology: Specimens

Abstract

This article outlines the specimens available for toxicological examination in postmortem cases and their potential value for detecting and measuring drugs and other toxicants. Postmortem blood concentrations of many drugs can vary in concentration depending on the location in the body from which the blood is drawn and the volume collected. This is because many drugs concentrate in the major organs and tissues when alive, but diffuse out of those tissues after death, causing local increases in blood drug concentrations. To recognize when these postmortem artifacts occur and assist the interpretation of toxicology findings, collection and analysis of multiple blood and tissue samples is sometimes necessary. The advantages and disadvantages of the various blood and tissue types are listed and discussed.