Autopsy in Drug Use

Marianne Tiemensma; Timothy Scott

doi:10.1016/B978-0-443-21441-7.00022-4

Autopsy in Drug Use

Marianne Tiemensma, Timothy Scott

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Entry for encyclopedia/dictionary › peer-review

Abstract

Increased drug use is continuing to have a detrimental impact on mortality worldwide, with particular public emphasis and recognition of the opioid epidemic in Northern America. The postmortem investigation of suspected drug-related fatalities requires a careful consideration of all available case information and cannot rely solely on the interpretation of toxicology results. The pathologist should be cognizant of the many pitfalls of interpretive postmortem toxicology. Collaboration between forensic pathologists and toxicologists is essential. Approaches to autopsy, expected findings, and toxicologic considerations in the postmortem investigation of drug-related deaths are discussed in this chapter.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Subtitle of host publication	Volume 1-4, Third Edition
Editors	Jason Payne-James, Roger W. Byard
Publisher	Elsevier
Pages	433-443
Number of pages	11
Volume	1
Edition	3rd
ISBN (Electronic)	9780443214424
ISBN (Print)	9780443214417
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21441-7.00022-4
Publication status	Published - 2025

Keywords

Autopsy
Drug trends
Drug use
Interpretive toxicology
Postmortem sampling
Scene investigation

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/B978-0-443-21441-7.00022-4Licence: In Copyright

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KW - Drug use

KW - Interpretive toxicology

KW - Postmortem sampling

KW - Scene investigation

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BT - Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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ER -

Autopsy in Drug Use

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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