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Specimen types

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  p192-193

2026-10-10

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Specimen types

The specimens available for analysis in post mortem cases may be numerous, or limited to blood or a single tissue, depending on the case history and preferences of the submitter. In a relatively recent death, blood, vitreous humour, at least one organ tissue (usually liver) and the gastric contents are commonly collected. However, in the case of severe decomposition, as may occur in a body which has been exposed     outdoors for some time, muscle, hair and bone may be the only specimens available. Although toxicology testing can theoretically be performed on almost any specimen, it is usually limited to those for which there is an appropriate database available to assist with interpretation of the results. This aspect is critical    since an important aim of the analysis is to assist in determining the cause of death. An analytical result indicating that there is x lg/mL of drug Y in a sample is not useful unless a conclusion can be drawn as to whether drug Y at level x may or may not have contributed to death. Hence interpretation of results typically requires information on levels of a drug which may arise from therapeutic drug administration and, ideally, levels that may occur via overdose, abuse, poisoning, etc., particularly where these levels have been shown to be fatal. Proper collection and preservation of post mortem specimens is critical, since there is usually no opportunity to go back for re collection of specimens at a later date as the body will probably have been cremated or buried.