To Test or Not To Test?: The Value of Toxicology in a Delayed Overdose Death1. Issue 1 (17th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walsh, Erin E.; Shoff, Elisa N.; Elizabeth Zaney, Mary; Hime, George W.; Garavan, Fintan; Boland, Diane M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of forensic sciences. Volume 64:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 314
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2018-05-17
• Subjects: forensic science -- postmortem -- antemortem specimens -- U‐47700 -- mitragynine -- investigative forensic toxicology -- delayed death -- drug paraphernalia -- overdose; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Forensic sciences -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; 363.2505
• DOI: 10.1111/1556-4029.13822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1198

Abstract

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.