State of the art in bile analysis in forensic toxicology. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bévalot, F.; Cartiser, N.; Bottinelli, C.; Guitton, J.; Fanton, L.
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 259(2016)
• Page Start: 133
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: Bile -- Forensic toxicology -- Drug -- Interpretation -- Bile physiology -- Review; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.10.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: A review of Medline literature on bile analysis in forensic toxicology is proposed. 273 references including 214 case reports are reviewed. Key points of bile physiology and technical aspects of bile analysis are reported. Qualitative and quantitative interpretation of bile analysis is discussed. Abstract: In forensic toxicology, alternative matrices to blood are useful in case of limited, unavailable or unusable blood sample, suspected postmortem redistribution or long drug intake-to-sampling interval. The present article provides an update on the state of knowledge for the use of bile in forensic toxicology, through a review of the Medline literature from 1970 to May 2015. Bile physiology and technical aspects of analysis (sampling, storage, sample preparation and analytical methods) are reported, to highlight specificities and consequences from an analytical and interpretative point of view. A table summarizes cause of death and quantification in bile and blood of 133 compounds from more than 200 case reports, providing a useful tool for forensic physicians and toxicologists involved in interpreting bile analysis. Qualitative and quantitative interpretation is discussed. As bile/blood concentration ratios are high for numerous molecules or metabolites, bile is a matrix of choice for screening when blood concentrations are low or non-detectable: e.g., cases of weak exposure or long intake-to-death interval. Quantitative applications have been little investigated, but small molecules with low bile/blood concentration ratios seem to be good candidates for quantitative bile-based interpretation. Further experimental data on the mechanism and properties of biliary extraction of xenobiotics of forensic interest are required to improve quantitative interpretation.