Drugs in bone: Detectability of substances of toxicological interest in different states of preservation

Abstract

In forensic contexts of advanced decomposition, when conventional matrices are no longer available for toxicological analyses, finding alternative matrices is necessary. The skeleton, which is fundamental for anthropologists and geneticists, could be useful also for toxicological purposes. The present study aims to examine what kind of information toxicological analysis performed on bones (the cranium and the ribs) in different states of preservation could provide to the forensic practitioner. Thirty cadavers with known pharmacological history, subjected to forensic autopsy at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan, were selected. Rib and cranium samples were collected from each body and separated into two parts in order to create two different states of preservation: One was cleaned from soft tissues and analyzed as a well‐preserved bone sample; the other was submitted to a long maceration process, simulating complete skeletonization. All specimens were then processed with accelerated solvent extraction and the eluates analyzed using Q‐Exactive™ Orbitrap™ Mass Spectrometer. The analysis of blood and skeletal matrices showed positive results for the tested substances in 63% of cases, mainly benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and drug abuse. Significant Pearson correlations were observed between non‐macerated vs. macerated bone samples: r = 0.79 for rib samples, r = 0.61 for cranium samples, and r = 0.69 for all bone samples. As a consequence, the positive results confirm the potential of the bone tissue as an alternative matrix in forensic toxicology, even in cases of extremely decomposed bodies. This study also highlighted important elements for reconstructing the biological profile in cases of forensic anthropological concern.

Estimation of Late Postmortem Interval: Where Do We Stand? A Literature Review

“…As is well known, in cases of severely decomposed human bodies or remains, bone material is useful for genetic and toxicological study and evaluation [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. The skeletal structure is primarily composed of a hard component called the extracellular matrix, which contains a cellular part made of osteocytes.…”

Papaver somniferum in seventeenth century (Italy): archaeotoxicological study on brain and bone samples in patients from a hospital in Milan

“…However, to perform a standardized sampling, we decided to collect only cranial samples, even if other bones were present (see post-cranial bone of C2). Moreover, the cranial sample can be considered a good bone matrix in forensic toxicology considering the excellent results obtained from previous studies that compared them with other bone sample sites 5 , 20 . The crania were cut with a sterilized handsaw on the occipital bone adjacent to the foramen magnum, and in cases where the foramen magnum was not preserved the parietal bone, in accordance with previous papers 5 , 20 .…”

“…In literature, many studies have shown that medication drugs and drugs of abuse can be detected in preserved tissues, hair and bones 10 – 12 and how to determine their presence in bones 5 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 17 – 20 , nails 21 – 23 , teeth 10 , 24 – 26 and hair 10 , 12 – 16 , 21 . In these studies, the detection of substances was limited to some drug categories, like antidepressants 7 , 17 , 20 , 21 , antipsychotics 7 , 17 , 20 , amphetamine 7 and methamphetamines 5 , benzodiazepines 5 , 7 , 18 , 20 , cannabinoids 5 , 7 , 10 – 12 , 26 , opioids 5 , 7 , 8 , 18 – 20 , 22 – 25 , non-benzodiazepine, sedative hypnotic 20 and stimulants 5 , 7 , 10 – 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 , either in single individuals 8 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 23 , 25 , or small populations 5 , 7 , 10 , 18 – 22 , 24 , 26 . The historic period f...…”

“…Methods used for toxicological investigation have been primarily a GC–MS analyzer 10 , 12 – 14 , 16 – 19 , 22 – 26 and RIA 10 , 12 , 15 , 16 , followed by a more recent instrumentation, the LC–MS analyzer 5 , 7 , 20 , 21 . In one case, the biological samples were analyzed with fluorescence polarization immunoassay and gas chromatography-flame ionization detector 8 .…”

Water-related atmospheric agents and solubility: two parameters of validation in toxicological screening on clothing worn by skeletal remains

“…When conventional matrices are no longer available for analytical investigation, often due to complete skeletonization, alternative matrices can be used in forensic toxicology to replace conventional ones. Thus, when the conventional matrices are no longer available, unconventional matrices such as bones, nails, and teeth can be involved in toxicological analyses [4,5] to investigate chronic intake of drugs. Still considering the same scenario in which an extremely decomposed or even complete skeletonized body is discovered, the presence of alternative matrices that could account for the acute administration of substances is extremely rare.…”