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Muscle as an Autopsy Material for Evaluation of Fatal Cases of Drug Overdose

NCJ Number
98869
Journal
Journal of Forensic Science Society Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: (1985) Pages: 191-206
Author(s)
H Christensen; A Steentoft; K Worm
Date Published
1985
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Striated muscle constitutes a large portion of the body weight and is nearly always available even in burned, putrefied, mummified or exhumed bodies.
Abstract
Drug concentrations have been estimated in extremity muscle, blood and liver in 142 fatal cases where drug overdose was implicated. The results suggest that muscle should be included as a standard autopsy material in examinations for drug poisoning. (Publisher abstract)

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