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Forensic toxicologic analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in body materials by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

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Summary

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in biologic materials was carried out by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A deuterium-labeled methamphetamine was employed as an internal standard with a detection limit of 50 pg and absolute stability and reproducibility. Blood was found to be the best material for estimation of the toxicity of the stimulant drug. It can be replaced by muscle which contains methamphetamine concentrations close to those of blood. The authors' classification of the toxic blood levels of methamphetamine from therapeutic to fatal doses was confirmed by additional data obtained from new case studies.

Zusammenfassung

Es wurden qualitative und quantitative Analysen von Methamphetamin und Amphetamin aus biologischem Material mittels Gaschromatographie/Massenspektrometrie durchgeführt. Als interner Standart wurde Deuterium-markiertes Methamphetamin mit einer Nachweisgrenze von 50 pg bei hoher Stabilität und Reproduzierbarkeit verwendet. Blut erwies sich als das beste Ausgangsmaterial zur toxikologischen Untersuchung dieses stimulierenden Arzneimittels. Es kann jedoch auch durch Muskulatur ersetzt werden, in der Methamphetamin-Konzentrationen ähnlich denen im Blut nachweisbar sind. Die vom Autor vorgenommene Klassifizierung von toxischen Methamphetamin-Blutkonzentrationen nach therapeutischen und tödlichen Dosen wurde durch weitere Daten aus neuen Fällen bestätigt.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Legal Medicine, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Kenji Hara

  2. Department of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

    Takeaki Nagata & Kojiro Kimura

Authors
  1. Kenji Hara
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  2. Takeaki Nagata
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  3. Kojiro Kimura
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Supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research in 1983/1984 from the Japanese Ministry of Education

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Hara, K., Nagata, T. & Kimura, K. Forensic toxicologic analysis of methamphetamine and amphetamine in body materials by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Z Rechtsmed 96, 93–104 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00198625

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00198625

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