The clavicle bone as an alternative matrix in forensic toxicological analysis.
Although human blood is the reference medium in the field of forensic toxicology, alternative matrices may be required when traditional specimens are not available, especially in the investigation of cases involving decomposing remains. Clavicle bone may provide an appropriate sample of choice since it can easily be obtained at autopsy after the removal of the breastplate for the inspection of the thoracic viscera. To the author's knowledge, this is the first time that clavicle bone is used as an alternative matrix for the detection of drugs. The present study aimed to investigate the suitability of clavicle bone as an alternative matrix for the detection of opiates. Opiates were assayed using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode. Morphine-d6, codeine-d6 and 6-MAM-d3 were used as internal standards for the determination of morphine, codeine and 6-MAM, respectively. A GC/MS method was developed and validated for the determination of opiates in clavicle samples. Morphine, codeine and 6-MAM were successfully separated in spiked samples allowing for their detection at low levels without interferences from the matrix. Chromatographic run time was 11 min and the tested linearity ranged from 5 to 500 ng/g (r2 > 0.99) for all analytes. The method was further applied in clavicle samples of drug-related cases. Its validation parameters and the application of the developed method in clavicle samples from drug addicts, prove its suitability for the detection of opiates and potentially other drugs.
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece.
Ioanna
I
Vardakou
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece.
Sotiris
S
Athanaselis
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece.
Constantinos
C
Pistos
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece.
Stauroula
S
Papadodima
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece.
Chara
C
Spiliopoulou
Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Athens, 75 M. Asias Street, Athens 11527, Greece. Electronic address: kmoraitis@med.uoa.gr.
Konstantinos
K
Moraitis
D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000032:analysis*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000737:chemistry*; D003061:Codeine / Q000032:analysis*; D053593:Forensic Toxicology / Q000379:methods; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D057230:Limit of Detection; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000032:analysis*; D009022:Morphine Derivatives / Q000032:analysis*; D013048:Specimen Handling
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009022:Morphine Derivatives; D009020:Morphine; C026979:6-O-monoacetylmorphine; D003061:Codeine
Bone; Clavicle; Forensic toxicology; Opiates