Forensic Toxicology- Post Mortem Death Investigation

Forensic Toxicology is a discipline of forensic science dealing with the negative effects of chemicals, drugs, poisons or any toxic substance on a living system. Forensic Toxicology also has a more specific area of forensics designated to determine if chemicals or drugs contributed to a person’s death called Post Mortem Death Investigation. A Forensic toxicologist specializing in post mortem death investigations usually works with a forensic pathologist during an autopsy to help determine the cause of death. Toxicologists also rely on the help of crime scene detectives to aid in providing information about what was observed during the time the body was found. Physical evidence such as pill bottles, trace residues or drug paraphernalia can aid in determining what chemicals will be found. While performing an autopsy, the forensic toxicologists’ role is to obtain samples of body fluid and tissue from the pathologists and perform tests seeking to find any traces of chemicals. Urine, blood, hair and oral fluids are the most common samples taken from the body to be sent for analysis. Gastric contents from the stomach of the body can also be extracted to test for undigested pills, food or liquids digested prior to death. The vitreous humor found in the eye (ocular fluid) can also be used to estimate the time of death and can help signify renal disease and calcium status. Initially, toxicologists are looking for any amounts of chemicals in the body. In the event the amounts found exceed a normal range or are considered a poison or drug, the toxicologist conduct “a more sophisticated test is d using techniques such as mass spectrometry, which can identify chemicals in substances by their mass and charge” ( Doheny). Mass spectrometry is a more sensitive testing method that can pick up smaller amounts of chemicals. Along with mass spectrometry and tissue and organ testing, toxicologist also use more complicated forms of technology to aid in determining levels of chemicals and drugs in the body. “Laboratory methods used in chemical toxicological analysis cover a wide range and may be broadly classified as follows: (1) physical tests (2) crystal tests (3) chemical spot tests (4) spectrophotometric tests (5) chromatographic tests.” (Grippo, 2001). “Experts also can determine if two drugs found together may have had a synergistic effect -- which happens when two drugs similar in their actions produce an exaggerated effect when taken together”. In general, toxicology reports take approximately 4-8 weeks to complete which means bodies can be released prior to finalizing an actual cause of death. At the conclusion of the post mortem autopsy, the toxicologists must gather all of the information he or she may have obtained, as well as the pathologists’ findings and any field work conducted. Using this information as a collective piece of information, the toxicologist must conclude if the chemicals, drugs or poisons contributed to or caused death. A major contributor to the science of forensic toxicology is Mathrieu Orfile. Mathrieu published the first comprehensive work of forensic toxicology in 1813. “He was a respected Spanish chemist and the physician who is often given the distinction of "father of toxicology." His work emphasized the need for adequate proof of identification and the need for quality assurance. It also recognized the application of forensic toxicology in pharmaceutical, clinical, industrial and environmental fields” (Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila (1787–1853, 2006). Within the last couple of years, there have been many cases of well known people who have died , in which post mortem toxicology has made a significant difference in the determination of their cause of death. On June 25, 2009 Michael Jackson suffered a respiratory arrest at his home in Los Angeles. Conrad Murray, who was his personal physician found Jackson in his room, not breathing but with a faint pulse and administered CPR. Murray called 9-1-1 at 12:20 pm and Jackson was treated by paramedics at his home but was pronounced dead at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (Wikipedia, 2009) .The coroner ruled that Jackson's death was from "acute propofol intoxication" in combination with several sedatives, including lorazepam. Propofol, along with the eight lorazepam tablets, created a fatal “drug cocktail” that killed Jackson. (Oliver Grundmann, 2010). The information gathered from the pop stars’ post mortem toxicology report ultimately told the story of his death. Another famous person in the news in 2007 was Anna Nicole Smith. According to CNN News Smith, 39, was pronounced dead February 8, 2007, after being discovered unconscious in her hotel room at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino near Hollywood, Florida. A coroner said she died from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. Officials said both prescription and over-the-counter drugs were found in Smith's system, including three anti-depressant or anti-anxiety drugs. Human growth hormone and chloral hydrate, a sleep medication, also were found in toxicology tests, officials said. (Phillips, 2009). Alike to Jackson’s death, Anna Nicole Smiths death was sudden. In both cases, it would be impossible to recognize the amount of chemicals and drugs in their systems at the time of death without the tools and tests of post mortem toxicologists. The demand of this particular forensic discipline has become greater over the years as our society has slowly becomes more dependent on drugs and chemicals to survive. Without post mortem forensic toxicology and death investigators many deaths would remain a mystery. Drugs and harmful chemicals would continue to be used at much higher and dangerous levels as we would never be able to quite determine a fatal level or amount of use.
Works Cited
Grippo, A. (2001). Forensic Toxicology. Retrieved February 24, 2012, from Forensic Biology: http://www.bxscience.edu/publications/forensics/articles/toxicology/r-toxi01.htm
Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila (1787–1853. (2006, June 19). Retrieved February 22, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/visibleproofs/galleries/biographies/orfila.html
Oliver Grundmann, P. (2010, October). Propofol: An Analytical and Medico-Legal Challenge. Retrieved February 24, 2012, from Forensic Magazine: http://www.forensicmag.com/article/propofol-analytical-and-medico-legal-challenge
Phillips, R. (2009, March 25). Florida officials re-examine Anna Nicole Smith's death. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from CNN News: http://articles.cnn.com/2009-03-25/justice/smith.death.probe_1_anna-nicole-smith-prescription-drugs-fatal-overdose?_s=PM:CRIME
Wikipedia. (2009, July). Micheal Jacksons Death. Retrieved February 23, 2012, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Michael_Jackson