Journal Published Online: 01 November 1990
Volume 35, Issue 6

Attempted Murder with Pancuronium

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

A nurse was accused of attempting to murder her anesthesiologist husband on two occasions by administering to him a neuromuscular blocking agent. In both episodes, urine specimens were obtained from the victim shortly after the suspected assaults. The samples were initially tested fluorometrically using Rose Bengal dye as a pairing agent. Both were presumptively positive for pancuronium. Confirmation of these results was achieved by pairing the drug with potassium iodide, extracting the complex, and submitting the extract to thin-layer chromatography (TLC) cleanup, elution at the appropriate retardation factor (Rf), and, finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis in the selectedion monitoring mode. The two quaternary amines of pancuronium appear to undergo pyrolytic N-demethylation in the injection port to yield an entity amenable to capillary column gas chromatography. The mass spectrum of the compound consists of a base peak of m/z 322, with additional fragments of 292, 323, 338, 396, and 397 m/z, each of which was monitored. The confirmed positive findings were instrumental in adjudicating the case.

Author Information

Briglia, EJ
Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, County of Suffolk, Hauppauge, NY
Davis, PL
Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, County of Suffolk, Hauppauge, NY
Katz, M
Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, County of Suffolk, Hauppauge, NY
Dal Cortivo, LA
Division of Medical-Legal Investigations and Forensic Sciences, County of Suffolk, Hauppauge, NY
Pages: 9
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS12985J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12985J