Method validation for simultaneous determination of pesticide residues in post-mortem samples by high- performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet method

The process of method validation has a direct impact on the quality of residue analytical data. Forensic laboratories are specifically in need of effective methods for the correct interpretation of toxicological findings. Unreliable data can lead to unjustified legal consequences or to wrong treatment of the patient. The importance of method validation is emphasized by Peters et al. [1] not only to develop a method carefully for the correct interpretation of the toxicological findings in daily routine work but also to demonstrate the inherent quality of any analytical method to prove its applicability for a certain purpose, especially in the context of quality management and accreditation. As mentioned by them as a general agreement for quantitative bio-analytical procedures, the essential validation parameters to be evaluated are selectivity, calibration model (linearity), stability, accuracy (bias), precision (repeatability, intermediate precision), and the lower limit of quantification. At the same time, they also mention that though no general validation guideline is available for a qualitative procedure, there is an agreement that at least selectivity and limits of detection (LOD) are significant evaluation parameters with additional parameters such as precision, recovery, and robustness. Although there are no set maximum limits for the presence of pesticides in postmortem tissues in clinical and forensic toxicology, a precise analytical method is favored for procuring authentic results to prove the intake of a substance.