Identification of Unique Cocaine Metabolites and Smoking By-Products in Postmortem Blood and Urine Specimens

• NCJ Number: 172003
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 42 Issue: 5 Dated: (September 1997) Pages: 824-827
• Author(s): A J Jenkins; B A Goldberger
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 4 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article describes toxicological investigation of suspected cocaine-related deaths.

Abstract

Toxicological investigation of suspected cocaine-related deaths routinely involves the identification of cocaine (COC) and its metabolites, including benzoylecgonine (BE) and ecgonine methyl ester (EME) in postmortem specimens. This study used solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of cocaine and eight cocaine-related analytes. These analytes included anhydroecgonine methyl ester, a unique product formed during cocaine smoking, and cocaethylene, formed by transesterification of cocaine in the presence of ethanol. Thirteen pairs of postmortem heart blood and urine specimens were analyzed from cases of death due to acute cocaine intoxication, multiple drug intoxication, or other non-drug-related causes. COC, EME, and BE were detected in all specimens; providing valuable information regarding the cause and manner of death. Figure, tables, references