Kala M., Lechowicz W., Stanaszek R.

Institute of Forensic Research, Westerplatte 9, 31-033 Kracow, Poland

The results of the analysis of biological fluids (blood and urine) taken from the corpse of a long-term drug addict are presented. The blood and the urine were positively tested by the TDx assays for opium alkaloids, benzodiazepines and barbiturates, and the urine was additionally tested for amphetamine/methamphetamine. HPLC-DAD was performed to screen the urine for acidic, neutral and basic drugs. Phenobarbital, temazepam, morphine and ephedrine were detected. The GC/MS-ITD was used to confirm the presence of the above mentioned analytes and to detect codeine in urine.
Quantitative determinations of phenobarbital, temazepam, morphine and ephedrine were carried out by HPLC-DAD and GC/MS-ITD without derivatization, and on trimethylsilyl and thiourea derivatives.
The quantified substances in blood are within therapeutic (8.9 mg/l of phenobarbital), toxic (1.15 mg/l of temazepam) and fatal (1.02 mg/l of morphine and 5.45 mg/l of ephedrine) concentrations. The presence of the detected substances in body fluids is typical for a Polish drug addict. It has even a "custom" amongst drug addicts in our country to take morphine. originating from poppy straw, in confunction with benzodiazepines, barbiturates and recently with amphetamine or related compounds.