The effect of the postmortem interval on the redistribution of drugs: a comparison of mortuary admission and autopsy blood specimens.

Postmortem redistribution (PMR) is an accepted toxicological phenomenon that may affect the interpretation of postmortem blood concentrations. The extent of PMR is not well understood for some drugs. This report describes the PMR of selected substances resulting from the analysis of 149 cases comparing blood specimens taken at admission of the deceased to the mortuary and then at autopsy.

The prevalence of drugs in injured drivers.

In mid 2009 Victoria introduced compulsory drug testing of blood taken from all injured drivers taken to hospital. Δ(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), methylamphetamine (MA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA) are prohibited and if drivers are positive to any amount an automatic penalty is enforced. Laboratory screens were conducted on preserved blood using ELISA testing for cannabis metabolite and methylamphetamines and a fully validated LC-MS/MS method for 105 drugs including THC, amphetamines, opioids, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and antipsychotics and a number of other psychoactive substances using a minimum of two transitions per drug.

New instrument for orbital anthropometry.

A new instrument for orbital anthropometry is described. It consists of the base for a slit-lamp upon which the patient's head rests and rulers mounted on three independently movable axes. The z-axis probe is used to measure sagittal relationship between the corneal apices and points on the orbital perimeter.

A case of quinine self-poisoning in a boy.

An 11-year-old boy swallowed some of his father's quinine tablets. The use of an efficient toxicology screening service permitted an early diagnosis and appropriate management.