Summary statistics for drugs and alcohol concentration recovered in post-mortem femoral blood in Western Switzerland

In post-mortem investigations of fatal intoxication, it is challenging to determine which drug(s) were responsible for the death, and drugs did not. This study aims provide femoral blood drug levels in lethal intoxication control cases, where cause death was other than intoxication. The reference values could assist interpretation toxicological results routine casework. To this end, all from 2011 2017 Western Switzerland considered. A full autopsy with systematic analysis (STA) conducted cases. Results take into account classified one four categories (as published by Druid colleagues): I) certified substance alone, IIa) more substance, IIb) causes incapacitation due drugs, III) without drugs. includes 1 990 cases analysed. material comprised 619 women (31%) 371 men (69%) a median age 50 years. concentrations 32 most frequently recorded substances as well alcohol are discussed. These include 6 opioids opiates, 3 antidepressants, neuroleptics hypnotics, barbiturate, 11 benzodiazepines (and related drugs), 2 amphetamine-type stimulants, cocaine, paracetamol, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). common that caused alone morphine, methadone, ethanol, tramadol, cocaine. concentration ranges categorized I, IIa, IIb, or III. Statistical discussed compared previously concentrations. shows recording classifying time-consuming, but rewarding long-term perspective achieve reliable information about non-fatal