Postmortem Committee Literature  

Interpretation

• Belsey SL, Flanagan RJ. Postmortem biochemistry: Current applications. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 41:49-57 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2016.04.011
• Bevalot F. et al. Vitreous humor analysis for the detection of xenobiotics in forensic toxicology: a review. Forensic Toxicology. 34:12-40 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-015-0294-5
• Butzbach DM. The influence of putrefaction and sample storage on post-mortem toxicology results. Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology. 6(1):35-45 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-009-9130-8
• Coe JI. Postmortem Chemistry Update. Emphasis on Forensic Application. The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 14(2):91-117 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1097/00000433-199306000-00001
• Drummer OH, Gerostamoulos D.  Post-mortem redistribution of drugs and other factors affecting interpretation: A review.  WIREs Forensic Science. 5(3), el480 (2022).  https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1480
• Flanagan RJ. Interpretation of postmortem toxicology: more complicated than it might seem - Part 2. Adverse Drug Reaction Bulletin. 250:959-962 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1097/FAD.0b013e32830ceb2e
• Hansen SL et al. Suitability of cardiac blood, brain tissue, and muscle tissue and alternative matrices for toxicological evaluation in postmortem cases. Drug Testing and Analysis. 15(5): 529-538 (2023).  https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3439
• Jones AW, Holmgren A. Concentration distributions of the drugs most frequently identified in post-mortem femoral blood representing all causes of death. Medicine, Science, and the Law. 49(4):257-273 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1258/rsmmsl.49.4.257
• Jones AW et al. Relationship Between Postmortem Urine and Blood Concentrations of GHB Furnishes Useful Information to Help Interpret Drug Intoxication Deaths. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 42(9):587-591 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bky041
• Kacinko SL et al. Are postmortem cannabinoid concentrations forensically reliable? American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology.  Letter to the Editor. 45(1):92-93(2024).  https://doi.org/10.1097/paf.0000000000000887
• Kennedy MC. Post-mortem drug concentrations. Internal Medicine Journal. 40(3):183-187 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1445-5994.2009.02111.x
• Ketola RA, Kriikku P. Drug concentrations in post-mortem specimens. Drug Testing and Analysis. 11(9):1338-1357 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2662
• Ketola RA, Ojanpera I. Summary statistics for drug concentrations in post-mortem femoral blood representing all causes of death. Drug Testing and Analysis. 11(9):1326-1337 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.2655
• Launiainen T, Ojanpera I. Drug concentrations in post-mortem femoral blood compared with therapeutic concentrations in plasma. Drug Testing and Analysis. 6(4):308-316 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.1507
• Lemos NP, Ingle EA. Cannabinoids in Postmortem Toxicology. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 35(7):394-401 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1093/anatox/35.7.394
• Maskell PD. Just say no to postmortem drug dose calculations. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 66(5):1862-1870 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.14801
• Molina DK, Hargrove VM. Should Postmortem Subclavian Blood be Considered a Peripheral or Central Sample?American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology. 34(2):155-158 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1097/PAF.0b013e318288b0d5
• Olds ML, Jones AW. Preanalytical factors influencing the results of ethanol analysis in postmortem specimens.  Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 48: 9-26 (2024).  https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkad078  
• Penetar DM et al. Comparison among plasma, serum, and whole blood ethanol concentrations: impact of storage conditions and collection tubes. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 32(7):505-510 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/32.7.505
• Schulz M et al. Revisited: Therapeutic and toxic blood concentrations of more than 1100 drugs and other xenobiotics. Critical Care. 24(1):195 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-020-02915-5
• Skopp G. Postmortem toxicology. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology. 6(4):314-325 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-010-9150-4
• Soderberg C et al. The importance of sample size with regard to the robustness of postmortem reference values. Forensic Science International. 311:110292 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110292
• Wille SMR, Elliott S. The Future of Analytical and Interpretative Toxicology: Where are We Going and How Do We Get There? Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 45(7):619-632 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa133

Postmortem Redistribution

• Apple FS. A better understanding of the interpretation of postmortem blood drug concentrations. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 35(6):381-383 Letter to the Editor (2011). https://doi.org/10.1093/anatox/35.6.381
• Brockbals L et al. Time-Dependent Postmortem Redistribution of Opioids in Blood and Alternative Matrices. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 42(6):365-374 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bky017
• Cook DS. Estimating antemortem drug concentrations from postmortem blood samples the influence of postmortem redistribution. Journal of Clinical Pathology. 53(4):282-285 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1136/jcp.53.4.282
• Drummer OH. Post-mortem toxicology. Forensic Science International. 165(2-3):199-203 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2006.05.020
• Ferner RE. Post-mortem clinical pharmacology. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 66(4):430-443 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2008.03231.x
• Gerostamoulos AL et al. The effect of the postmortem interval on the distribution of drugs: a comparison of mortuary admission and autopsy blood specimens. Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology. 8(4):373-379 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-012-9341-2
• Han E et al. Evaluation of postmortem redistribution phenomena for commonly encountered drugs. Forensic Science International. 219(1-3):265-271 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.01.016
• Holland MG et al. Postmortem redistribution of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), 11-hydroxy-THC (11-OH-THC), and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC (THCCOOH). Forensic Science International. 212(1-3):247-251 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.06.028
• Mantinieks D et al. Postmortem Drug Redistribution: A Compilations of Postmortem/Antemortem Drug Concentration Ratios. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 45(4):368-377 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa107
• Nisbet LA, DiEmma GE, Scott KS.  Drug stability in forensic toxicology.  WIREs Forensic Science. 5 (4): e1481 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/wfs2.1481
• Olson KN et al. Postmortem Redistribution of Fentanyl in Blood. American Journal of Clinical Pathology. 133(3):447-453 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1309/AJCP4X5VHFSOERFT
• Pelissier-Alicot AL et al. Mechanisms Underlying Postmortem Redistribution of Drugs: A Review. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 27(8):533-544 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/27.8.533
• Pounder DJ, Jones GR. Post-mortem drug redistribution – a toxicological nightmare. Forensic Science International. 45(3):253-263 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1016/0379-0738(90)90182-x
• Sastre C et al. Post Mortem Redistribution of Drugs: Current State of Knowledge. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 23(36):5530-5541 (2017). https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612823666170622111739
• Yarema M, Becker CE. Key Concepts in Postmortem Drug Redistribution. Clinical Toxicology. 43(4):235-241 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-58950
• Zilg B et al. Postmortem blood sampling – Comparison of drug concentrations at different sample sites. Forensic Science International. 278:296-303 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.07.006

Methodology

• Allen D, McWhinney BC. Quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry: a paradigm shift in toxicology screening applications. The Clinical Biochemist Reviews. 40(3):135-146 (2019). https://doi.org/10.33176/AACB-19-00023
• Ayala J, Kerrigan S. Comprehensive toxicological screening of common drugs of abuse, new psychoactive substances and cannabinoids in blood using supported liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.  Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 47(8): 656-667 (2023).   https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkad069
• Diekhans K, Yu J, Farley M, Rodda LN. Analysis of over 250 novel synthetic opioids and xylazine by LC-MS-MS in blood and urine.  Journal of Analytical Toxicology.  48(3): 150-164 (2024).  https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkae009
• Dziadosz M et al. LC-MS/MS screening strategy for cannabinoids, opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, benzodiazepines and methadone in human serum, urine and post-mortem blood as an effective alternative to immunoassay based methods applied in forensic toxicology for preliminary examination. Forensic Chemistry. 7:33-37 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forc.2017.12.007
• Farley M et al. A Single Method for 127 Recommended and Additional DUID Drugs in Blood and Urine by LC-MS/MS. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 46(6):658-669 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkab075
• Gevorkyan J et al. Method Consolidation to Improve Scope and Efficiency in Postmortem Toxicology. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 44(5):422-439 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa003
• Giorgetti A et al. Development and validation of a rapid LC-MS/MS method for the detection of 182 novel psychoactive substances in whole blood. Drug Testing and Analysis. 14(2):202-223 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.3170
• Heinsvig PJ, Noble C, Dalsgaard PW, Mardal M. Forensic drug screening by liquid chromatography hyphenated with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).  Trends in Analytical Chemistry.  162: 117023 (2023).  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2023.117023
• Partridge E et al. A validated method for the screening of 320 forensically significant compounds in blood by LC/QTOF, with simultaneous quantification of selected compounds. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 42(4):220-231 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkx108
• Rodda LN, Farley M, Towler S, Devincenzi T, Pearring S. Multi-class analysis of 57 drugs quantitatively in blood and qualitatively in urine by LC-MS/MS to complement comprehensive DFC, DUID, and postmortem testing.  Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 49(1):1-13 (2024).  https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkae077
• Sofalvi S et al. Development and validation of an LC-MS-MS method for the detection of 40 benzodiazepines and three z-drugs in blood and urine by solid-phase extraction. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 44(7):708-717 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa072
• Sofalvi S et al. Unique structural/stereo-isomer and isobar analysis of novel fentanyl analogues in postmortem DUID whole blood by UHPLC-MS-MS. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 43(9):673-687 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkz056
• Stephenson JB et al. Comprehensive drug screening of whole blood by LC-HRMS-MS in a forensic laboratory. Journal of Analytical Toxicology. 45(3):243-251 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa073
• Zilg G, Alkass K, Kronstrand R, Berg S, Druid H. A rapid method for postmortem vitreous chemistry – Deadside analysis.  Biomolecules. 12(1):32 (2021).  https://doi.org/10.3390/biom12010032