The effect of sodium fluoride on the stability of cyanide in postmortem blood samples from fire victims

McAllister, J.; Roby, Richard J.; Levine, Barry; Purser, David

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.12.001

Cited by 21 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…They speculated on the possible involvement of microorganisms, which may invade the vascular system after death from the autopsy environment or from endogenous sources . Therefore, other researchers proposed sodium fluoride to be added to the blood samples in order to minimize the increase in cyanide concentration . On the basis of these views, we applied this preservative to our experiments.…”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19 Therefore, other researchers proposed sodium fluoride to be added to the blood samples in order to minimize the increase in cyanide concentration. 21 On the basis of these views, we applied this preservative to our experiments. Considering everything, even short-time storage of specimens containing cyanide resulted in substantial loss of the analyte.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Application of 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic Acid as a Forensic Marker of Cyanide Exposure

Ruzycka-Ayoush

Giebułtowicz

Fudalej

et al. 2017

Chem. Res. Toxicol.

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Cyanides are infamous for their highly poisonous properties. Accidental cyanide poisoning occurs frequently, but occasionally, intentional poisonings also occur. Inhalation of fumes generated by fire may also cause cyanide poisoning. There are many limitations in direct analysis of cyanide. 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (ATCA), a cyanide metabolite, seems to be the only surrogate that is being used in the detection of cyanide because of its stability and its cyanide-dependent quality in a biological matrix. Unfortunately, toxicokinetic studies on diverse animal models suggest significant interspecies differences; therefore, the attempt to extrapolate animal models to human models may be unsuccessful. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of ATCA as a forensic marker of cyanide exposure. For this purpose, post-mortem materials (blood and organs) from fire victims (n = 32) and cyanide-poisoned persons (n = 3) were collected. The distribution of ATCA in organs and its thermal stability were evaluated. The variability of cyanides in a putrid sample and in the context of their long-term and higher temperature stability was established. The presence of ATCA was detected by using an LC-MS/MS method and that of cyanide was detected spectrofluorimetrically. This is the first report on the endogenous ATCA concentrations and the determination of ATCA distribution in tissues of fire victims and cyanide-poisoned persons. It was found that blood and heart had the highest ATCA concentrations. ATCA was observed to be thermally stable even at 90 °C. Even though the cyanide concentration was not elevated in putrid samples, it was unstable during long-term storage and at higher temperature, as expected. The relationship between ATCA and cyanides was also observed. Higher ATCA concentrations were related to increased levels of cyanide in blood and organs (less prominent). ATCA seems to be a reliable forensic marker of exposure to lethal doses of cyanide.

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Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic Acid as a Forensic Marker of Cyanide Exposure

Ruzycka-Ayoush

Giebułtowicz

Fudalej

et al. 2017

Chem. Res. Toxicol.

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“…During recent years, great attention had been focused on cyanide toxicity because of its widespread use in the industries and considered to be a ubiquitous pollutant in the environment. Human exposure to this substance may occur through mining, industrial usage, smoke from fire, propulsion motors and tobacco [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] . Exposure to other chemicals like organonitriles, cyanogens and cyanide containing pesticides would also result in cyanide toxicity [5] , [6] , [7] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) study on cyanide induced biochemical and structural changes in rat sperm

Shivanoor

David

2015

Toxicology Reports

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Postmortem Toxicology: Artifacts

Skopp

2012

Wiley Encyclopedia of Forensic Science

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This article attempts to highlight important artifacts (misleading signs) being an inherent part of postmortem toxicology. A major issue with specimens collected for a postmortem toxicology investigation is an understanding of drug use in the antemortem setting as well as the medical history. Drug concentration is likely to change already during perimortem. The potential for postmortem redistribution largely depends on the drug's physicochemical/pharmacokinetic properties and environmental conditions, and can be dependent on the site and time. Body fluids and tissues as well as drugs are affected by autolysis (cell disruption) and putrefaction. Degradation as well as formation of new entities occurs as competing processes to postmortem redistribution. Analysis of formalin‐treated samples may create problems with regard to sample processing along with the loss, decomposition, or methylation of drugs. The main collection artifact is contamination. Poor sampling will severely affect a case investigation, as well as the use of inappropriate specimen containers and preservatives. Precaution taken to preserve drug stability during storage until analysis is guided by current knowledge. Problems may also occur during the isolation and identification of a drug. A thoroughly evaluated determination of the parent drug along with major metabolites/degradation products seems necessary to avoid misinterpretation.

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The effect of sodium fluoride on the stability of cyanide in postmortem blood samples from fire victims

Cited by 21 publications

References 7 publications

Application of 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic Acid as a Forensic Marker of Cyanide Exposure

Application of 2-Aminothiazoline-4-carboxylic Acid as a Forensic Marker of Cyanide Exposure

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) study on cyanide induced biochemical and structural changes in rat sperm

Postmortem Toxicology: Artifacts

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