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To investigate the topography of morphine distribution in the human brain, a method has been developed to detect morphine immunohistochemically. In this study hippocampus tissue from victims of heroin overdose (blood morphine concentrations 220 ng/g-1500 ng/g; 6-MAM positive urine sample), known for its high concentration of mu-opiate receptors was used. The immunohistochemical staining was performed with an anti-morphine antiserum originally developed for radio-immunoassays. In comparison with control specimens from cases of sudden death without morphine exposition or a history of heroin abuse, the brains from victims of heroin overdose showed selectively stained ganglion cells, axons and dendrites, suggesting a massive concentration of morphine in the neuronal structures.

Two autopsy cases of an elderly couple who died on the same day will be used to underline the importance of immunohistochemistry of forensic practice. At first unexplainable injection marks on the upper arms of the corpses and the possibility of a closely related physician injecting insulin and certifying a natural death made it important, considering suspect insulin concentrations in the blood, to exclude insulin injections in these marks. Further, the statement that morphine had been injected for the analgesia of tumour pains, was reinforced by immunohistochemistry.