Toxicology

Toxicology is an essential adjunct to autopsy. Yet the drug concentrations in post-mortem samples can differ significantly from those taken in life. This is due to both endogenous post-mortem changes and exogenous influences. The concentrations are also affected by sampling (site and methodology). This chapter will discuss basic pharmacokinetics, post-mortem changes, and potential contribution the common drugs encountered in post-mortem work may have on causing death.