Fentanyl Patches Left on Dead Bodies—Potential Source of Drug for Abusers

Volume 41, Issue 2 (March 1996)

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ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 2

Fentanyl Patches Left on Dead Bodies—Potential Source of Drug for Abusers
Butts, JD
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC

Flannagan, LM
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC

Anderson, WH
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC

Abstract

We report a fatal case of fentanyl poisoning in which the decedent apparently obtained the drug from a used transdermal patch removed from a deceased nursing home patient. Fentanyl drug patches, even those previously used, contain a potentially lethal amount of this potent narcotic analgesic and provide a source of fentanyl for drug abusers. This case demonstrates the importance of proper disposal of these drug patches and the need for strict policies and guidelines in patient care settings regarding their disposal. Since fentanyl derivatives may not be detected on routine toxicologic analysis, specific assays should be utilized for the detection of fentanyl in cases of suspected drug overdose.

Keywords:
forensic science, fentanyl, drug abuse, transdermal, death

Paper ID: JFS15436J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15436J
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.

Author Title Fentanyl Patches Left on Dead Bodies—Potential Source of Drug for Abusers Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30

		SEDL / Journals / Journal of Forensic Sciences (JOFS) / Citation Page Volume 41, Issue 2 (March 1996) Click here to download this paper now for $25 PDF (296K) View License Agreement ISSN: 0022-1198 CODEN: JFSCA Page Count: 2 Fentanyl Patches Left on Dead Bodies—Potential Source of Drug for Abusers Butts, JD Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC Flannagan, LM Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC Anderson, WH Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NC Abstract We report a fatal case of fentanyl poisoning in which the decedent apparently obtained the drug from a used transdermal patch removed from a deceased nursing home patient. Fentanyl drug patches, even those previously used, contain a potentially lethal amount of this potent narcotic analgesic and provide a source of fentanyl for drug abusers. This case demonstrates the importance of proper disposal of these drug patches and the need for strict policies and guidelines in patient care settings regarding their disposal. Since fentanyl derivatives may not be detected on routine toxicologic analysis, specific assays should be utilized for the detection of fentanyl in cases of suspected drug overdose. Keywords: forensic science, fentanyl, drug abuse, transdermal, death Paper ID: JFS15436J DOI: 10.1520/JFS15436J ASTM International is a member of CrossRef. Author Title Fentanyl Patches Left on Dead Bodies—Potential Source of Drug for Abusers Symposium , 0000-00-00 Committee E30