Two tricyclic antidepressant poisonings: levels of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and desipramine in post-mortem biological samples

Two deaths due to amitriptyline and desipramine overdoses are reported. The first case deals with a 20-year-old Caucasian male who was found dead at his residence. Toxicological analysis of the blood, urine, liver and kidney revealed the presence of amitriptyline (1.7 mg/l, 0.13 mg/l, 36.0 mg/kg and 98.0 mg/kg) and nortriptyline (0.66 mg/l, 0.74 mg/l, 12.0 mg/kg and 37.0 mg/kg). The gastric content contained only 220 mg of amitriptyline. The urine also contained norverapamil, which was consistent with previous verapamil therapy. The second case involved a 19-year-old Caucasian male who attempted suicide earlier and was on desipramine medication. The blood, urine, liver and gastric content disclosed the presence of desipramine in the concentrations of 14.2 mg/l, 33.7 mg/l, 112.5 mg/kg and 180 mg, respectively. The levels of these tricyclics analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography were in agreement with the levels reported in the literature. Though with the amitriptyline poisoning no significant anatomic changes were noted, the desipramine-caused death was further supported by the multisystem vascular congestion and ischemic changes consistent with cardiopulmonary failure.     

The measurement and interpretation of morphine in blood

A method for the determination of morphine is post-mortem blood by HPLC with electrochemical detection is described. Blood morphine levels in post-mortem cases are reported and the importance of these in causing death is discussed. These post-mortem levels are compared further with morphine levels in the blood of patients receiving morphine as an analgesic.     

INTERNATIONAL ABDUCTION OF CHILDREN

Justice Kay discusses the abduction of children and the application of the Hague Convention from the Australian perspective. The article begins with an outline of the common law and the appropriate legislation. Signatory nations to the Hague Convention are listed and Australian case law reviewed. Statistics are also given regarding children who have been taken to what nations.     

The effects of base rate and cutoff point choice on commonly used measures of association and accuracy in recidivism research

Several measures of association and accuracy commonly used in the recidivism literature are examined for their sensitivity to variations in the proportion observed to recidivate (the base rate) and in the proportion selected for classification as recidivists (selection ratio). Logistic regression models are employed on a sample of 11,749 convicted offenders to generate predicted probabilities of four recidivism criteria varying in base rates from 0.06 to 0.48. Cutoff point selections from 0.1 to 0.9 show the effects of cutoff point changes on the following commonly used measures of association and accuracy: RIOC (relative improvement over chance), MCR (mean cost rating), Φ, γ, PRE (proportion reduction in error), and percentage correct. While all these statistics vary across base rate and cutoff points, some vary more than others: RIOC varies across cutoff points more than MCR, MCR more than Φ, and Φ more than γ. Researchers comparing such statistics across studies need be wary of the dangers of ignoring such variation.     

Looking Out for Our Indigenous People: The Canadian Experience

Respected Elders Djerrkura and Dodson, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. My Aboriginal name is Pad8gi Pai8, which means 'Coming Thunder' in the Abenaki language and I am a member of the Odanak Band of the Abenaki First Nation. I want to acknowledge and thank the traditional caretakers of the land we stand on today, the Larrakia People Meegwetch. I am truly honoured to be here with you today and want to take this opportunity to thank the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) and the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM) for inviting me.