THE SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF XENOBIOTICS POSTMORTEM REDISTRIBUTION IN FORENSIC TOXICOLOGY

E. Kostic, D. Pancic, M. Vujovic, G. Ilic,

Abstract: Forensic toxicology analyses are performed to be used as evidence in legal proceedings. In analytical toxicology, the terms ‘sample’ and ‘specimen’ refer to a portion of body fluid or tissue collected in previously defined conditions. Specimens should be collected after death as soon as possible to avoid possible putrefaction. Great care is needed to select the sampling site and how to collect and use the appropriate sample container. A concept of postmortem redistribution (PMR) of xenobiotics, considered when interpreting the drug concentration after death, must exist. The organs involved in redistributing drugs into the blood are also called “drug reservoirs”. Knowledge of toxicologists about the characteristics of different specimens, xenobiotics, their toxicokinetic parameters and the possibility for postmortem redistribution is of great importance for quick, accurate and reliable results of toxicological analysis.
Keywords: toxicology, postmortem, organs, toxicokinetics, xenobiotics.