Abstract
The postmortem redistribution of morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide and total morphine was assessed in 40 heroin-related deaths. In blood taken from subclavian, heart, and femoral regions, concentrations of morphine and its metabolites were similar. While there was a trend for higher concentrations in heart blood, when compared with femoral or subclavian blood, this was not significant. There was also no significant difference in concentrations between admission and autopsy blood in which the postmortem interval was on average 59 h. From our observations, significant postmortem redistribution of morphine and its metabolites seems unlikely.
Keywords:
forensic science, forensic toxicology, morphine, morphine-glucuroindes, postmortem redistribution
Paper ID: JFS4540843
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Author Zamir, A Affiliation Forensic Biology Laboratory, Division of Identification and Forensic Science
(DIFS), Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem, Israel.
Author Oz, C Affiliation Forensic Biology Laboratory, Division of Identification and Forensic Science
(DIFS), Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem, Israel.
Author Wolf, E Affiliation Toolmarks and Materials Laboratory,Division of Identification and Forensic
Science (DIFS), Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem, Israel.
Author Vinokurov, A Affiliation Toolmarks and Materials Laboratory,Division of Identification and Forensic
Science (DIFS), Israel Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem, Israel.
Author Glattstein, B Affiliation R&D Officer, Division of Identification and Forensic Science (DIFS), Israel
Police, National Headquarters, Jerusalem, Israel.
Author Gerostamoulos J, Drummer OH
Title Postmortem redistribution of morphine and its metabolites
Symposium ,
Committee on
