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Investigation of postmortem absorption and redistribution after the application of a fentanyl patch.
- Source :
-
Journal of forensic sciences [J Forensic Sci] 2015 Mar; Vol. 60 (2), pp. 532-5. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Feb 10. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Fentanyl deaths have increased with availability of transdermal patches. Interpretation of postmortem fentanyl levels may be complicated by postmortem redistribution and absorption of fentanyl from a patch. We applied an unused 100-μg/h fentanyl patch onto the lower abdomen of a decedent with no premortem fentanyl exposure. Ocular fluid, blood, and urine were collected prior to placement, and the decedent was refrigerated for 23 h. Prior to the autopsy, urine, subcutaneous tissue under the patch, and samples from the same anatomic sites were obtained. We observed no fentanyl in any postpatch placement samples (LOD: 0.1 ng/mL for blood and vitreous fluid, 1.0 ng/mL urine, 2.0 ng/g for tissues). Although we observed no postmortem absorption of fentanyl, this was only a single case; therefore, we recommend that patches be removed after receipt of a cadaver before initiation of an autopsy, with the location of removed patch documented.<br /> (© 2015 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.)
- Subjects :
- Brain Chemistry
Forensic Toxicology
Humans
Kidney chemistry
Liver chemistry
Lung chemistry
Male
Middle Aged
Subcutaneous Fat chemistry
Tissue Distribution
Vitreous Body chemistry
Fentanyl analysis
Fentanyl pharmacokinetics
Narcotics analysis
Narcotics pharmacokinetics
Postmortem Changes
Transdermal Patch
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1556-4029
- Volume :
- 60
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of forensic sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25676881
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12651