[Application of hair analysis of selected psychoactive substances for medico-legal purposes. Part II. Cases of complex fatal poisonings: interactions of heroine - cocaine - amphetamines]

Arch Med Sadowej Kryminol. 2010 Jan-Mar;60(1):12-7.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

The study represents an attempt at employing segmental hair analysis in complex poisonings with xenobiotic mixtures of heroine - cocaine - amphetamines in the context of the cause of death as a consequence of complex interaction mechanisms which occurred prior to death. Two cases of complex poisonings: heroine - cocaine and heroine - cocaine - amphetamines were analyzed and documented with macro- and microscopic examinations and complex toxicological examinations, including the analysis of classic biological material, i.e. samples of selective blood, and alternative material, i.e. hair samples. Determinations of opioids, cocaine and its metabolite and amphetamines in the hair biological matrix were performed using high performance liquid chromatography--atmospheric pressure chemical ionization--tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-APCI-MS-MS). Segmental hair analysis of the investigated cases indicated a prolonged intake of similar psychoactive substances and a developed adaptation of the addicted to interaction mechanisms, which, however, led gradually to multiorgan anatomopathological changes, and in consequence to death.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amphetamines / analysis*
  • Autopsy / methods
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants / analysis*
  • Cocaine / analysis*
  • Drug Overdose
  • Female
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / instrumentation
  • Hair / chemistry*
  • Heroin / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Narcotics / analysis*
  • Poland
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Toxicology / methods
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Amphetamines
  • Central Nervous System Stimulants
  • Narcotics
  • Heroin
  • Cocaine