Capillary gas chromatography with selective nitrogen detection was employed to quantify morphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine in biological fluids and tissues in five deaths attributed to heroin injection overdose. The minimum lethal concentration found was 0.021 μg morphine per ml of blood. In all cases, 6-monoacetylmorphine was identified in urine, confirming heroin abuse.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Frank RSDrugs of abuse: data collection systems of DEA and recent trends. Journal of AnalyticalToxicology1987; 11: 237-41.
2.
Kaa E.Drug abuse in Denmark. Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin1988; 101: 229-36.
3.
Felby S., Christensen H. & Lund A.Morphine concentrations in blood and organs in cases of fatal poisoning . Forensic Science1974; 3: 77-81.
4.
Reed D., Spiehler V. & Cravey RHTwo cases of heroin-related suicide. Forensic Science1977; 9: 49-52.
5.
Sawyer WR, Waterhouse Gaw, Doedens DJ & Forney RBHeroin, morphine, and hydromorphine determination in post-mortem by high performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Forensic Sciences1988; 33: 1146-55.
6.
Chan SC, Chan EM & Kaliciak HADistribution of morphine in body fluids and tissues in fatal overdose . Journal of Forensic Sciences1986; 31: 1487-91.
7.
Kintz P., Mangin P., Lugnier AA & Chaumont AJSimultaneous identification and quantification of several opiates and derivatives by capillary gas chromatography and nitrogen phosphorous detection . Zeitschrift für Rechtsmedizin, in press.
8.
Garriott JC & Sturner WQMorphine concentrations and survival periods in acute heroin fatalities . New England Journal of Medicine1973; 2398: 1276-8.
9.
Richards RG, Reed D. & Cravey RHDeath from intravenously administered narcotics: a study of 114 cases . Journal of Forensic Sciences1976; 21: 467-82.
10.
Steentoft A. , Worm K. & Christensen H.Morphine concentrations in autopsy material from fatal cases after intake of morphine and/or heroin . Journal of the Forensic Science Society1988, 28: 87-94.
11.
" Fehn J & Megges G. Detection of 6-monoacetylmorphine in urine samples by GC/MS as evidence for heroin use. Journal of Analytical Toxicology1985; 9: 134-8.
12.
Kintz P., Mangin P., Lugnier AA & Chaumont AJIdentification by GC/MS of 6-monoacetylmorphine, as an indication of heroin abuse. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology , in press.
