Journal Published Online: 01 January 1978
Volume 23, Issue 1

The Forensic Toxicology of Cocaine (1971–1976)

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

It is the general purpose of this study-report to assess the role of cocaine in postmortem, medieolegal investigation, and a primary, particular objective is to determine whether cocaine is significant as a causative agent in a growing number of sudden, unexplained deaths. The significance can be evaluated in terms of either the absolute number of deaths directly attributable to cocaine ingestion or relative to fatalities caused by other abused and misused drugs. A total of only 111 cases involving cocaine occurred at 27 study sites, encompassing a jurisdictional population of 79.2 million over a five- to six-year period ending in mid-1976. Further, of the total cases, only 26 involved cocaine alone.

Author Information

Finkle, BS
Center for Human Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
McCloskey, KL
Center for Human Toxicology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Pages: 17
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS10668J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10668J