To Test or Not To Test?: The Value of Toxicology in a Delayed Overdose Death

Journal of Forensic Sciences
Erin E WalshDiane M Boland

Abstract

A case demonstrating the necessity of thorough death investigation processes where toxicology plays an active role is presented. A 33-year-old white man presented to the emergency room in respiratory distress after an overdose episode where he was revived on the scene by fire rescue. His condition continued to deteriorate and he expired 6 days after the initial incident. No admission specimens were available for testing; however, there were specimens drawn 4 and 5 days after the incident. Drug paraphernalia from the scene was obtained by the laboratory through collaboration with local law enforcement. Drug paraphernalia was initially tested in the laboratory and after obtaining the results, the antemortem and postmortem specimens were tested identifying mitragynine and U-47700, among other drugs. These results indicate the value in obtaining and testing drug paraphernalia, and the value of testing antemortem specimens even in the event of a delay.

References

Dec 3, 2014·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Ritva KarinenVigdis Vindenes
Jan 17, 2017·Forensic Science International : Synergy·Olwen DomingoWolfgang Bicker
Jun 22, 2017·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·Elisa N ShoffDiane M Boland
Feb 20, 2018·Journal of the Intensive Care Society·Geeta AggarwalEdward Walter

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Citations

Jan 4, 2020·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·Stephanie Basiliere, Sarah Kerrigan
Feb 3, 2020·Journal of Analytical Toxicology·Stephanie Basiliere, Sarah Kerrigan
Jul 16, 2019·Forensic Sciences Research·Inês TabarraEugenia Gallardo

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