Comparative morphine determination in parts of the brain using combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. A possibility for assessing survival time

Comparison of the morphine concentrations in the medulla oblongata and the cerebellum provides information on the interval between morphine administration and death. If this period is short, the ratio of CMed:CCereb is below 1. The ratio is above 1 if a number of hours have passed at least. The balance of the morphine concentrations is achieved within a few hours. Results have been achieved by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis in about 100 autopsy cases.