Determination of drugs in exhumed liver and brain tissue after over 9 years of burial by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry—Part 2: Benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs

Abstract

In this publication, benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs were analyzed in exhumed brain and liver tissue samples in 116 cases (total) after 9.5–16.5 years of burial. Solid phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was applied. Data from literature is listed summarizing the detectability of the presented analytes after a certain time of burial. In our study, 60% of the analyzed benzodiazepines, 100% of the opioids, and 82% of further drugs were detectable. Only the benzodiazepines lorazepam, nitrazepam, flunitrazepam, and its metabolite norflunitrazepam, and the drugs butylscopolamine, metronidazole, and omeprazole were not detectable at all. Percentage of positive findings (total, and separately for brain and liver tissue) and postmortem period are listed for each analyte. Correlation of detectability depending on postmortem period and condition of tissue are presented exemplarily for midazolam. No substantial correlation was observed. Despite a long time of burial, most benzodiazepines, opioids, and further drugs were detectable in the examined tissue samples. Our results may be a good support for future exhumations in which toxicological analyses are relevant.