Simultaneous quantitation of opioids in blood by GC-EI-MS analysis following deproteination, detautomerization of keto analytes, solid-phase extraction, and trimethylsilyl derivatization.

Seven opioid analytes including codeine, morphine, 6-acetylmorphine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxycodone, and oxymorphone were detected in postmortem blood (n > 1000). Two milliliters of specimen was deproteinated with approximately 2.5 mL of methanol and derivatized with hydroxylamine before solid-phase extraction and derivatization with BSTFA + 1% TMCS.