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01-03-2009 | Original Article

Interpretation of drug concentrations in an alternative matrix: the case of meprobamate in bile

Authors: L. Fanton, F. Bevalot, M. P. Gustin, C. Z. Paultre, C. Le Meur, D. Malicier

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 2/2009

Abstract

Investigating toxicological causes of death may require alternative matrices when the usual ones are lacking. Whereas forensic toxicology uses bile almost only for xenobiotic screening, a diagnostic test interpreting postmortem bile concentrations of meprobamate is reported. Based on 128 sets of autopsy data, its intrinsic qualities were good, with 0.95 sensitivity and 0.93 specificity. In a French forensic population, the positive and negative predictive factors were 0.90 and 0.97, respectively. It is a useful means of revealing overdoses where blood samples are not available or of confirming blood tests when postmortem redistribution is suspected.

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Title: Interpretation of drug concentrations in an alternative matrix: the case of meprobamate in bile
Authors: L. Fanton
F. Bevalot
M. P. Gustin
C. Z. Paultre
C. Le Meur
D. Malicier
Publication date: 01-03-2009
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 2/2009
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-008-0259-x

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Interpretation of drug concentrations in an alternative matrix: the case of meprobamate in bile

Abstract

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Abstract

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