Death from intravenously administered narcotics: a study of 114 cases;
Richards, R.G.; Reed, D.; Cravey, R.H.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 21(3): 467-482
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 956738 Document Number: 109759
A careful study of more than 100 fatal cases due to intravenously administered narcotics provides further evidence of the complexity involved in the certification of death. The wide range of blood morphine concentrations found in these cases indicates that tissue concentrations alone will not always provide the necessary information. High concentrations of morphine, the major metabolite of heroin, in blood and other tissues may be consistent with overdose. But in those cases involving very low concentrations at the time of death, other criteria must be considered.