Evaluation and applicability of Alere iCup DX 14 for rapid postmortem urine drug screening at autopsy

Abstract

The United States is observing higher rates of drug-related deaths than previously recorded [1]. Subsequently, mechanisms to process these and other death investigations at a faster rate are beneficial and in demand. The identification of common drugs of abuse and pharmaceutical drugs in biological specimens is routinely performed by forensic toxicology laboratories. However, a quick and straightforward method of drug screening carried out by the forensic pathologist during the autopsy may be warranted if immediate results are required to triage certain deaths, or if the forensic toxicology report is delayed. This may be especially desirable in jurisdictions with limited in-house toxicology capabilities. In this context, the usage of point-of-care (POC) urine drug screening tests may provide

Evaluation of a human urine barbiturate test to screen for pentobarbital euthanasia of dogs and cats

“…In medical examiner’s offices, it is common for the pathologist to keep rapid tests on hand to screen for drugs of abuse during the autopsy. 14 The results from this initial screening step help the pathologist determine if there is further toxicologic examination required for the case. The same can be said for veterinary pathologists screening for drugs.…”