Comparative study of postmortem barbiturates, methadone, and morphine in vitreous humor, blood, and tissue

J Forensic Sci. 1984 Jul;29(3):903-9.

Abstract

With the introduction of radioimmunoassay (RIA) techniques, it has become toxicologically possible to determine drug concentrations in postmortem vitreous humor. This study demonstrates and confirms this toxicological feasibility. In 49 medical examiner's drug related cases, postmortem tissue levels of morphine, barbiturates, and methadone were compared to the vitreous humor.

MeSH terms

  • Autopsy
  • Barbiturates / analysis*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Humans
  • Methadone / analysis*
  • Morphine / analysis*
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Tissue Distribution
  • Vitreous Body / analysis*

Substances

  • Barbiturates
  • Morphine
  • Methadone