Post mortem changes: challenges in drug analysis in the diagnosis of deaths from intoxication

Abstract

In forensic toxicology, alternative matrices and sampling sites are required for a correlation of antemortem and postmortem concentrations with the least possible error. Postmortem redistribution phenomena and biochemical changes inherent to these processes are possible, and represent interferences in these analyses. This study aimed to perform a bibliographic review through Pubmed database within a 10-year period of time, using the keywords: forensic analysis AND redistribution. We observed that for quantitative analyses the preferred matrix is blood from peripheral vessels, and when it is not available, vitreous humor is a great specimen for choice.