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. 2024 Mar;32(3):101990.
doi: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.101990. Epub 2024 Feb 10.

Challenges and insights: Methamphetamine analysis in post-mortem putrefied human tissues in a hot climate

Ahmed Alasmari  1 , Amani Alhejaili  2   3 , Hassan Alharbi  4 , Mansour Alzahrani  5 , Torki Zughaibi  2   3
Affiliations

Challenges and insights: Methamphetamine analysis in post-mortem putrefied human tissues in a hot climate

Ahmed Alasmari et al. Saudi Pharm J. 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Background: The production and distribution of methamphetamine (meth) is often associated with illegal and clandestine laboratories, posing significant challenges for law enforcement and public health efforts. Global concern is growing over meth-related fatalities, as its high potential for abuse and detrimental impact on health make it an important issue in the realm of substance abuse and addiction. This concern has notably increased in Saudi Arabia, where the hot climate adds complexity to the analysis due to challenges posed by putrefaction. There is still an urgent need to enhance the screening capabilities of many toxicology laboratories to determine the cause of death, whether it be due to drug use or natural causes.

Aim: This research aimed to investigate meth concentrations in post-mortem putrefied human solid tissues in a hot climate and comparing meth metabolite concentrations in cases where signs of putrefaction were observed versus those with no signs of putrefaction. The objective is to assist criminal investigations by analyzing meth and its metabolite concentrations.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study involved postmortem samples from human subjects during autopsies conducted between 2016 and 2022. It focused on analyzing meth and its metabolite concentrations using LC-MS/MS analysis. Data on demographics, medical history, age, location, putrefaction, and other drug use were retrieved from medical records.

Results: Out of the 27 reported samples of meth and its metabolite amphetamine in both putrefied and non-putrefied biological fluids and tissues, only 8 (30%) exhibited signs of putrefaction between 2016 and 2022. Despite decomposition, detectable concentrations of meth and amphetamine were sufficient to determine the cause of death and the source of amphetamines.

Conclusion: This study found no significant difference in concentrations between putrefied and non-putrefied cases, underscoring the importance of multiple sample testing during autopsy for accurate interpretation. Each case is unique and must be considered individually.

Keywords: LC-MS/MS; Methamphetamine; Postmortem; Solid tissue.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Concentration ratios of (a) meth and (b) amphetamine in BNaF (ng/mL), urine (ng/mL), vitreous humor (ng/mL), gastric contents (ng/mL), bile (ng/mL), liver (ng/g), stomach wall (ng/g), and brain (ng/g) of 27 meth-related fatalities.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The median meth-to-amphetamine ratios between putrefied and non-putrefied (a) blood with sodium fluoride (ng/mL), (b) urine (ng/mL), (c) vitreous humor (ng/mL), (d) gastric contents (ng/mL), (e) bile (ng/mL), (f) liver (ng/g), (g) kidney (ng/g), and (h) brain (ng/g) of 27 meth-related deaths.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The median meth-to-amphetamine ratios between putrefied and non-putrefied (a) blood with sodium fluoride (ng/mL), (b) urine (ng/mL), (c) vitreous humor (ng/mL), (d) gastric contents (ng/mL), (e) bile (ng/mL), (f) liver (ng/g), (g) kidney (ng/g), and (h) brain (ng/g) of 27 meth-related deaths.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The median meth-to-amphetamine ratios between putrefied and non-putrefied (a) blood with sodium fluoride (ng/mL), (b) urine (ng/mL), (c) vitreous humor (ng/mL), (d) gastric contents (ng/mL), (e) bile (ng/mL), (f) liver (ng/g), (g) kidney (ng/g), and (h) brain (ng/g) of 27 meth-related deaths.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The median meth-to-amphetamine ratios between putrefied and non-putrefied (a) blood with sodium fluoride (ng/mL), (b) urine (ng/mL), (c) vitreous humor (ng/mL), (d) gastric contents (ng/mL), (e) bile (ng/mL), (f) liver (ng/g), (g) kidney (ng/g), and (h) brain (ng/g) of 27 meth-related deaths.
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