Unreliability of the use of thyroglobulin concentration in postmortem blood samples in forensic diagnosis

Numerous methods have been described in the literature for the determination of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in whole blood. The most popular and widely used have been (1) the spectrophotometric methods, which could be performed either by using a conventional spectrophotometer or by using specialized automated instruments known as CO-oximeters; (2) the gas chromatographic methods, with variable detection systems, which have been considered as the reference methods for every carbon monoxide analysis. The authors have critically reviewed previously reported comparative studies on these methods, considering statistical and analytical matters, in order to propose the best method for the determination of COHb in postmortem blood, that could be utilized in forensic toxicology laboratories where such analyses are limited in number (less than 20 per year). Criteria for evaluation have been accuracy, reliability, simplicity, time, and cost. The authors’ concluding statement has been that the manual spectrophotometric method could be the method of choice for COHb determination in postmortem blood samples. It is simple, rapid, and reliable and fulfills the forensically acceptable accuracy. It is performed by the use of a conventional spectrophotometer, which is considered a basic instrument in every analytical laboratory.

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Liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of postmortem blood samples for targeted toxicological screening

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry ◽

10.1007/s00216-013-6798-0 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 405 (12) ◽

pp. 4107-4125 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Markus Roman ◽

Lena Ström ◽

Helena Tell ◽

Martin Josefsson

Keyword(s):

Mass Spectrometry ◽

Liquid Chromatography ◽

Time Of Flight ◽

Mass Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Toxicological Screening ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Spectrometry Analysis ◽

Flight Mass Spectrometry ◽

Postmortem Blood

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Fluorometric Determination of Pseudocholinesterase Activity in Postmortem Blood Samples

Journal of Forensic Sciences ◽

10.1520/jfs12967j ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 12967J ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Fumiyo Kusu ◽

Taeko Tsuneta ◽

Kiyoko Takamura

Keyword(s):

Fluorometric Determination ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Postmortem Blood

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Quantitative determination of valproic acid in postmortem blood samples—evidence of strong matrix dependency and instability

International Journal of Legal Medicine ◽

10.1007/s00414-013-0843-6 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 127 (6) ◽

pp. 1101-1107 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Verena Kiencke ◽

Hilke Andresen-Streichert ◽

Alexander Müller ◽

Stefanie Iwersen-Bergmann

Keyword(s):

Valproic Acid ◽

Quantitative Determination ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Postmortem Blood

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Factors leading to the degradation/loss of insulin in postmortem blood samples

Forensic Science International ◽

10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.06.003 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 241 ◽

pp. 173-177 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Cora Wunder ◽

Gerold F. Kauert ◽

Stefan W. Toennes

Keyword(s):

Blood Samples ◽

Postmortem Blood

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Evaluation of Current Derivative Spectrophotometric Methodology for the Determination of Percent Carboxyhemoglobin Saturation in Postmortem Blood Samples*

Journal of Analytical Toxicology ◽

10.1093/jat/13.1.37 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 37-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

B.J. Perrigo ◽

B.P. Joynt

Keyword(s):

Blood Samples ◽

Postmortem Blood ◽

Current Derivative

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Application of Homogeneous Liquid–Liquid Microextraction With Switchable Hydrophilicity Solvents to the Determination of MDMA, MDA and NBOMes in Postmortem Blood Samples

Journal of Analytical Toxicology ◽

10.1093/jat/bkab100 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Camila Scheid ◽

Sarah Eller ◽

Anderson Luiz Oenning ◽

Eduardo Carasek ◽

Josias Merib ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Illicit Drugs ◽

Matrix Effects ◽

Limit Of Detection ◽

Blood Samples ◽

Synthetic Drugs ◽

Preparation Conditions ◽

Limit Of Quantitation ◽

Postmortem Blood ◽

Liquid Microextraction

Abstract Synthetic drugs for recreational purposes are in constant evolution, and their consumption promotes a significant increase in intoxication cases, resulting in damaging public health. The development of analytical methodologies to confirm the consumption of illicit drugs in biological matrices is required for the control of these substances. This work exploited the development of an extraction method based on homogenous liquid–liquid microextraction with switchable hydrophilicity solvent (SHS) as extraction phase for the determination of the synthetic drugs 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and N-methoxybenzyl-methoxyphenylethylamine derivates (25B, 25C and 25I) in postmortem blood, followed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in tandem. The optimized sample preparation conditions consisted of using 250 µL of ZnSO4 10% and 50 µL of NaOH 1 mol/L in the protein precipitation step; N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine was used as SHS, 650 μL of a mixture of SHS:HCl 6 mol/L (1:1 v/v), 500 μL of whole blood, 500 μL of NaOH 10 mol/L and 1 min of extraction time. The proposed method was validated, providing determination coefficients higher than 0.99 for all analytes; limit of detection and limit of quantitation ranged from 0.1 to 10 ng/mL; intra-run precision from 2.16% to 9.19%; inter-run precision from 2.39% to 9.59%; bias from 93.57% to 115.71% and matrix effects from 28.94% to 51.54%. The developed method was successfully applied to four authentic postmortem blood samples from synthetic drugs users, and it was found to be reliable with good selectivity.

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