[Use of intraocular fluid in the medico-legal practice in diagnosing fatal poisoning with various psychoactive substances]

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2002 Apr-Jun;52(2):85-97.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

In this paper results of the research on the usefulness of toxicological analysis relating to narcotics in intraocular fluid have been presented. The examined material comprised intraocular fluids and blood samples collected from 332 deceased suspected of being intoxicated or poisoned with psychoactive agents. The cases in which death resulted from injuries and those where an individual took drugs before his or her death were also considered. Drug analysis was carried out by fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA). In both biological fluids the degree of hydratation was determined. Ethyl alcohol, opiates, barbiturates and benzodiazepines were found in all the examined cases. In few cases ethanol substitutes such as isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and methyl alcohol were indicated. Results of the quantitative examinations were divided into sets according to the kind of xenobiotic and then on the basics of concentration of the substance found in the blood and vitreous body 2 different groups were separated in each set. Statistic analysis of the correlations among xenobiotic concentrations in both organic fluids was also performed. The obtained findings allow to assume that intraocular fluid can be used for toxicological diagnosis of poisonings with psycho-active agents. The analytical results for intraocular fluid not only confirms the result for blood but also makes it credible. In single cases it can be a sufficient basis to determine and recognize psychoactive agents in the deceased.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • 2-Propanol / analysis
  • Alcohols / analysis
  • Aqueous Humor / chemistry*
  • Autopsy
  • Barbiturates / analysis*
  • Barbiturates / blood
  • Barbiturates / poisoning
  • Benzodiazepines / analysis*
  • Benzodiazepines / blood
  • Benzodiazepines / poisoning
  • Ethanol / analysis*
  • Ethanol / blood
  • Ethanol / poisoning
  • Ethylene Glycol / analysis
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Female
  • Fluorescence Polarization Immunoassay / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methanol / analysis
  • Narcotics / analysis*
  • Narcotics / blood
  • Narcotics / poisoning
  • Poland
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Alcohols
  • Barbiturates
  • Narcotics
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Ethanol
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • 2-Propanol
  • Methanol