JIST

Abstract

The global war being waged on drugs has so far not met with much success resulting in devastating consequences for individuals and societies around the globe. Large-scale drug abuse along with the problems associated with it affects the entire world and continues to thrive in certain regions, making drug addiction one of the biggest curses worldwide. Pharmacological, cultural, social and contextual issues are the four principal factors responsible for determining the pattern of drug use/abuse. Biological explanation is thought to be responsible for the substantial overlap that exists between drug addiction and mental illness. Addiction can be characterized as a tremendous attachment, thrust or desire to repeatedly experience the drug of choice. This pursuit to satisfy the need for the drug of choice occurs despite the fact that the drug is harmful and usually injurious to the bodily and mental functioning.

We report a case of death of an elderly male who was a chronic opium addict. Chemical tests in the acidic, basic and neutral extracts of the visceral tissues and blood were carried out for preliminary screening, which showed the presence of heroin. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) were further used to confirm the presence of heroin and its metabolite 6-monoacetyl morphine. The presence of 6-monoacetyl morphine determines definite heroin exposure.

The aim of this study is to present the various analytical aspects of qualitative identification, and the intricacies involved in interpretation of results, especially with reference to establishing the cause of death having forensic and legal implications.