Detection of stimulants from charred bodies killed by a traffic accident: Distribution in the bodies

This paper deals with detection of methamphetamine in body fluids and organs of a driver and a passenger involved in a motor vehicle accident. The two charred bodies were found in the vehicle. Urine samples collected at autopsies were screened by the Triage® plus TCA, and the results suggested the presence of amphetamines. The presence of either methamphetamine or its major metabolite amphetamine in both urine was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Quantitative analysis of methamphetamine was made by gas chromatography with a flame thermionic detector. Methamphetamine concentrations detected from blood, urine, the liver and kidney of the driver were 1.78, 13.5, 3.51 and 1.44 μmol/100 ml or g, respectively. These results suggested that methamphetamine did affect the recklessness of driving, which lead them to the accident. The importance of the so-called DUID was also emphasized.