Toxicological Analysis for Drugs and Poisons Using the Formalin-Fixed Organ Tissues: 1. Methamphetamine

• NCJ Number: 148768
• Journal: Japanese Journal of Legal Medicine Volume: 48 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1994) Pages: 33-37
• Author(s): T Takayasu; T Ohshima; J Nishigami; T Kondo; Z Lin; M Ohtsuji; T Nagano
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Methamphetamine (MA) was analyzed using formalin-fixed tissues from the brain, lung, liver, kidney, and skeletal muscles of rabbits and an autopsied cadaver.

Abstract

The analysis used five different fixation periods: 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days. Results revealed that even 1 day after the formalin-fixation, the concentrations of MA in the fixed organ tissues already significantly decreased to 1.3 to 3.1 percent when compared to concentrations of MA in the nonfixed tissues, and to 0.04 percent to 0.4 percent in all the fixed organ tissues at 28 days after the fixation. Moreover, MA in the organ eluates from the autopsied male cadaver after 1-month formalin fixation was qualitatively detected. Results reveal and usefulness of MA detection using formalin-fixed organs in the practice of forensic medicine and police science. Figures, table, and 11 references (Author abstract modified)