NAME: Lopez, Marc Jayson N.

GROUP NUMBER: __________

YEAR AND SECTION: BSCRIM 3A DATE PERFORMED: ________

PROFESSOR: Mary Ann Deogracias DATE CORRECTED: _________

EXPERIMENT 24

SELECTION, COLLECTION, PACKING, AND PRESERVATION

OF VISCERAL ORGANS AND BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS FOR

TOXICOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

I. OBJECTIVE: To learn the correct techniques of collecting, packing, and preserving specimens

for toxicological examination.

II.DISCUSSION:

The selection and collection of the correct samples for analysis and their preservatives

are prerequisites in the investigation of poisoning. Detailed instructions should be given to

those who provide the samples so that the integrity of the sample is constantly maintained. The

correct labeling of the samples, their transport, and storage should all be part of these

instructions to ensure that the analyst obtains the right samples in the right condition before he

starts his analysis. An appreciation of how drugs may decompose and how contaminants may

be introduced is also important.

III. PROCEDURE

SELECTION, COLLECTION, AND PRESERVATION

The tissue sample taken for analysis should always be chosen to bear in mind the

availability of particular samples and the disposition of the drug or poison concerned. Blood and

urine samples are the most usual specimen collected in clinical cases and to detect doping in

athletes.

In fatal cases, the pathologist can choose any sample although urine and stomach

contents may not be always available. It is essential that all the samples are adequately labeled
and preserved before being transported to the laboratory, and that as much information as

possible surrounding the case is sent to the analyst before he starts his analysis. Labels should

include the person’s name, the sample identity, and the date and time it was taken, among

others.

The samples most often used are stomach contents, blood, urine, liver, bile, brain and

kidneys.

1. Stomach and Contents

The stomach contents (all, however small), stomach washings, vomit, vomit on clothing

should always be submitted. If only part of the total stomach washings is sent, then a note of

the original total volume should be made. Each sample should be packed separately, preferably

in one liter plastic bucket.

These samples are essential for use in general screening procedures. The stomach will

normally contain the highest concentration of the drug after an oral dose.

2. Blood

Two samples of blood are needed as a minimum requirement in postmortem cases. One

sample is at least 30 mL, unpreserved, from an identified source in the body. Flid scooped from

a body cavity must be used instead. The second sample is 2 to 5 mL preserved with at least 1%

sodium fluoride and is primarily for alcohol analysis. Samples should be thoroughly mixed with

the preservative to ensure it has all dissolved. Blood is the most useful sample for identifying

drugs and for quantitative analysis. Drug and metabolite concentrations in blood are most

useful for the interpretation of the toxicological significance of the data by comparison with

previously reported blood concentrations corresponding to therapeutic, toxic, and fatal

conditions.

3. Urine

All the available urine should be taken and preserved with sodium fluoride or sodium

azide. There are advantages of using urine, namely; the concentration of a drug may be about

100 times that in blood, and it is free from protein with a consequent low background of

interference. In contrast, urine has a disadvantage because some drugs are excreted almost
entirely as metabolites in this route.

Experiment 24

4. Liver

Drugs tend to be present in higher concentrations in the liver than in the blood and this,

linked in its size, makes it a very useful sample in post-mortem examinations. Liver has been the

most important sample for detecting drugs in forensic toxicology cases for the above reasons.

A 250 g sample in a 500 mL plastic container is usually sufficient for most purposes. It is

essential that the gall bladder be tied off before the sample is taken so that the liver is not

contaminated with bile. Liver is practically useful in cases involving decomposed or exhumed

bodies where blood samples are difficult to obtain.

5. Bile

The gall bladder should be tied off and submitted as a separate item. Bile is particularly

useful in deaths due to morphine-like compounds because it has such a high concentration of

the glucuronides of these drugs.

6. Brain

Brain is particularly useful when investigating deaths due to solvent abuse, e.g. toluene

or chloroform. This is due to the fact that high concentrations that these substances attain in

the brain and because they are obtained after death. This is also true of poisoning due to

cyanide. In as much as the brain is resistant to postmortem putrefaction, samples are very

useful for drug analysis when the body has not been found for some days after death.

7. Lungs

Lung samples are useful where the method of administration of the drug is by

inhalation. This is true whether it is a gas such as nitrous oxide, volatile materials such as

solvent, or powder.

8. Kidney

If heavy metal poisoning is suspected, the kidneys often show historical damage due to

the metal. In addition, the metals causing the damage tend to concentrate in the kidney. If the
metal poisoning is suspected of being a chronic condition, hair (with intact roots) and bone

samples should also be submitted to the laboratory.

PACKING

Disposable containers should be used whenever possible to reduce the possibility of contamination.
Liquid samples (blood, urine, and bile) are best placed in glass containers that are sealed with a liner
that is impervious to the sample. Liners made of rubber and similar materials should be avoided since
they may absorb drugs or contribute contaminants to the sample. Glass may need to be salinized when
low concentrations of drugs are present to avoid absorption onto the walls.

Plastic containers are useful for solid samples (e.g. liver), since the drug will not come in contact with the
walls of the container. The container size should be chosen for each sample such that the container is
full so that loss of volatile components or oxidation of the drug by atmospheric oxygen is reduced to a
minimum. Lids should always be airtight and the container must be fully labeled. Each container should
be placed in a polyethylene bag which is then sealed for further security.

When all the samples from one individual are ready, they are best packed in a cardboard box for the
protection of the containers; and then placed in a polyethylene bag to ensure that the box does not get
wet during transit to the laboratory. Relevant hazard warning labels should be always placed on the bag.
At all times during the sampling procedure, eating, drinking or smoking must be prohibited.

IV. CONCLUSION

1. A. What is the advantage of urine sample/specimen for the detection of drugs and poison over blood

Answer: The advantages of using urine, the concentration of a drug may be about 100 times that in
blood, and it is free from protein with a consequent low background of interference

b. What is the disadvantage?

Answer: The disadvantage is of urine because some drugs are excreted almost entirely as metabolites in
this route.

2. What is the purpose of the preservative sodium fluoride? Will the addition of sodium fluoride ensure
a valid measurement of the original alcohol concentration?

Answer: to prevent the formation of ethanol in blood and urine samples that are to be analysed for
ethanol content.

3. For alcohol analysis, what is the primary specimen to be used?

Answer: Blood sample is the primary specimen in alcohol analysis.

4. If the drug or poison was taken orally, in what specimen or sample can you find its highest
concentration?

Answer: The stomach will normally contain the highest concentration of the drug after an oral dose.

5. What is the most useful and best sample for toxicological analysis in cases involving decomposed or
exhumed bodies?

Answer: The liver is practically useful in cases involving decomposed or exhumed bodies where blood
samples are difficult to obtain.

6. What visceral organs are often used in toxicological examinations?

Answer: Liver

7. Which specimen is best suited for solvent and cyanide poisoning?

Answer: Brain is particularly useful when investigating deaths due to solvent abuse, e.g. toluene or
chloroform. This is due to the fact that high concentrations that these substances attain in the brain and
because they are obtained after death. This is also true of poisoning due to cyanide.

8. Why is urine the sample of choice for the detection of doping in athletes?

Answer: Blood and urine sample is the most usual specimen collected in clinical case and to detect
doping in athletes.

9. In case of poisoning by inhalation, what internal organ should be submitted to the laboratory

for examination?

Answer: Lung sample are useful where the method of administration of the drug is by inhalation.

10. What is the best container for liquid samples for toxicological examinations?

Answer: Plastic containers are useful for solid samples (e.g. liver), since the drug will not come in contact
with the walls of the container. The container size should be chosen for each sample such that the
container is full so that loss of volatile components or oxidation of the drug by atmospheric oxygen is
reduced to a minimum. Lids should always be airtight and the container must be fully labeled. Each
container should be placed in a polyethylene bag which is then sealed for further security. When all the
samples from one individual are ready, they are best packed in a cardboard box for the protection of the
containers; and then placed in a polyethylene bag to ensure that the box does not get wet during transit
to the laboratory.
For solid samples?

Answer: Plastic containers are useful for solid samples (e.g. liver), since the drug will not come in contact
with the walls of the container. The container size should be chosen for each sample such that the
container is full so that loss of volatile components or oxidation of the drug by atmospheric oxygen is
reduced to a minimum.

11. Why should the containers for visceral organs, blood, and urine be disposable?

Answer: Disposable containers should be used whenever possible to reduce the possibility of
contamination. Liquid samples (blood, urine, and bile) are best placed in glass containers that are sealed
with a liner that is impervious to the sample.