Forensic scientist’s blog

Abstract  Metabolism of cannabinol (CBN) was studied in vitro using hepatic microsomes from human livers. The metabolites formed were
analyzed by thinlayer chromatography (TLC) and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as their trimethylsilyl
derivatives. 11-Hydroxy-CBN, the major metabolite, was detected together with a smaller amount of another mono-hydroxylated
metabolite. The minor metabolite was identified as 8-hydroxy-CBN, after comparing its Rf value by TLC, retention time by GC,
and the mass spectrum with those of the authentic compound. 8-Hydroxy-CBN was confirmed to be a new metabolite of CBN formed
by human hepatic microsomes.

Content TypeJournal Article

JournalForensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)

Abstract  We describe a case of poisoning by arsenic trioxide of a young man found dead at home. There were no obvious external signs
of arsenic poisoning; but we observed marked endocardial hemorrhages, hepatomegaly, diffuse gastric mucosal hemorrhages, and
slight brain edema at autopsy. The Reinsch test for the stomach contents and liver homogenate was positive for arsenic. Wavelength-dispersive
X-ray fluorescence spectrometry combined with the Reinsch test showed that fatal levels of arsenic were present in blood and
tissues. The cause of death was diagnosed as circulatory collapse caused by arsenic trioxide.

Content TypeJournal Article

JournalForensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)

Abstract  A new analytical method for acetaminophen (ACAP) in serum was developed by modifying an existing method used for amphetamines,
which used extractive derivatization followed by gas chromatographymass spectrometry. After a serum sample was adjusted to
pH 12.8, it was applied onto a diatomaceous earth tube; the analyte was simultaneously extracted and heptafluorobutyrylated
during elution with a solvent containing a derivatizing reagent. Three internal standard (IS) candidates were tested: N-acetyl-d
3-paminophenol, N-acetyl-m-aminophenol, and N-acetyl-4-amino-m-cresol. All ISs gave good linear relationships (r
2 > 0.999) for ACAP in the concentration range from 1 to 200μg/ml. The detection limit for ACAP using each IS was estimated
to be 0.05–0.1μg/ml. Intraday precision was satisfactory with a coefficient of variation of less than 8.3%. The use of this
method with any of the three ISs is recommended in forensic and clinical toxicology because of its rapidity and good reproducibility.

Content TypeJournal Article

JournalForensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)

Abstract  Platinum (Pt) levels were determined in various tissues and body fluids obtained from a patient who died 181 days after cisplatin
overdosing. The symptoms of cisplatin overdose, however, might have almost disappeared by day 40, and the patient’s death
was ascribed to the recurrence of malignant lymphoma. Determination of Pt derived from cisplatin was performed by electrospray
ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) using silver (Ag) as internal standard. Pt and Ag complexed with diethyldithiocarbamate
(DDC) in wetashed blood, and tissue solutions were extracted into isoamyl alcohol, and then acidified with oxalic acid. By
injecting an aliquot of the isoamyl alcohol layer into a mass spectrometer in the direct flow injection mode, the quantitation
was performed using the signals of Pt(DDC)3
+ and Ag(DDC)2
+ at m/z 639 and 403, respectively. The Pt levels ranged from 25ng/ml in blood to 2050ng/g wet weight in the liver of the patient,
indicating that Pt remained at high levels in tissues, even after a period as long as 181 days after cisplatin overdosing.

Content TypeJournal Article

JournalForensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)

Breath-alcohol analysis: a commentary on ethanol specificity in the 3-μm and 9-μm regions of the IR spectrum
Content TypeJournal Article

JournalForensic ToxicologyOnline ISSN 1860-8973Print ISSN 1860-8965 (Source: Forensic Toxicology)