Postmortem Toxicology: Challenges and Interpretive Considerations

Description

Postmortem Toxicology addresses the various aspects of the practice of forensic postmortem toxicology from a viewpoint of elements which must be taken into consideration for proper interpretation of the toxicological result, not in a vacuum but in a more holistic and global sense.

The volume examines pre-analytical factors, storage containers/conditions, prior medical interventions and therapy, along with information from the scene investigation and anatomical findings. This reference also provides explanation of the complicating conditions for the interpretation of the toxicological results due to postmortem decomposition, embalming artifacts and the postmortem redistribution of drugs. Tolerance is also discussed as an aid to interpreting results from a habitual/chronic user of medications and/or drugs of abuse.

The book is geared towards the current practitioner; however, it is written to be used as a valuable reference for a graduate or post-graduate level courses in forensic toxicology or forensic pathology. 

Key Features Presents a holistic approach to the interpretation of toxicology results Covers pre-analytical factors, storage containers/conditions, prior medical interventions, therapy, and much more Written for the current practitioner, but an excellent resource for graduate level students training in the field of forensic toxicology Readership

Forensic practitioners; specifically forensic toxicologists and pathologists. Graduate level students training in the field of forensic toxicology and/or a supplemental resource for a pathologist doing a fellowship in forensic pathology

Table of Contents Introduction
2. Pre-Analytical Considerations
3. Prior Medical Therapy and Medical Intervention
4. Analytical Artifacts and Organ/Tissue Retrieval
5. Scene Investigation
6. Anatomical Findings
7. Unexpected Drug/Metabolites Endogenous Compounds
8. Drug Instability
9. Embalming Artifacts
10. Decomposition Products
11. Post Mortem Clinical Chemistries
12. Post Mortem Formation of Alcohol and Other Compounds
13. Post Mortem Redistribution
14. Interpretive Considerations of Post Mortem Blood Concentrations
15. Tolerance

1. Introduction
2. Pre-Analytical Considerations
3. Prior Medical Therapy and Medical Intervention
4. Analytical Artifacts and Organ/Tissue Retrieval
5. Scene Investigation
6. Anatomical Findings
7. Unexpected Drug/Metabolites Endogenous Compounds
8. Drug Instability
9. Embalming Artifacts
10. Decomposition Products
11. Post Mortem Clinical Chemistries
12. Post Mortem Formation of Alcohol and Other Compounds
13. Post Mortem Redistribution
14. Interpretive Considerations of Post Mortem Blood Concentrations
15. Tolerance