CASE STUDIES

01

2-day, decomposed subject presenting in Rigor Mortis. The collection pad was placed between the cheek and gum adjacent to the second and third molars for approximately 15 minutes until the indicator turned blue resulting in the following drugs: heroin and morphine metabolites, cocaine metabolite, and fentanyl. Additionally, the safety aspect when collecting this sample vs. utilizing needles is a huge benefit.

2-day post-mortem subject in Rigor Mortis

02

6-day decomposed decedent presenting with numerous drugs when compared to blood and urine.

6-day decomposition

03

It is very difficult and/or impossible in certain cases to collect blood and/or urine from burn victims as well as identifying the identity of the victim. The body was burned inside and out, and all traditional matrices and organs destroyed.
The collection wand was placed in the buccal cavity and remained there for 15 minutes and then placed into the collection device.
Not only were drugs found in the oral fluid, but DNA was extracted form the collection pad to identify the subject’s sex as well as their identity.

Suspected Methamphetamine Explosion

04

Two canoe victims were found dead under the water 5 and 10 days, respectively. Victim 1 was found under the water after 5 days and presented with methamphetamine and amphetamine.
The second victim was found dead under the water after 10 days and presented with alcohol, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC.

Drowning Victims

05

Body of a 27- year-old female found dead near a body of water with numerous drugs found in her system. These drugs were also found to be sold by the same dealer.

Overdose Death

06

Muscle tissue was found in a boot. Two pieces of muscle were recovered by the medical examiner and taken for autopsy. After autopsy, the muscle was sent to SteelFusion for toxicology testing. We quantified methamphetamine and amphetamine from 174-day decomposed muscle tissue.
After 2 months, the autopsy toxicology presented with methamphetamine intoxication.

174-day decomposition muscle tissue

07

Toxicology testing from animals (U.S. Patent 4).

Animal Toxicology

Case Study Overview

Collection Process

The indicator will show the color blue when 1-mL of oral fluid is collected

Living

Note: Place swab under the tongue

Deceased

Note: Place the swab under the tongue. If the indicator doesn’t turn the color blue after 15 minutes, document this on the Chain-of-Custody. In rigor mortis, place the swab between the cheek and the gum adjacent to the second and third molars.

QuantisalTM Oral Fluid Collection device

Case Study 1- Device and Collection

2-day, decomposed subject presenting in Rigor Mortis. The collection pad was placed between the cheek and gum adjacent to the second and third molars for approximately 15 minutes until the indicator turned blue resulting in the following drugs: heroin and morphine metabolites, cocaine metabolite, and fentanyl.

ORAL FLUID QUANTITATIVE RESULTS by LC-MS/MS in ng/mL

6-acetylmorphine

5.9

Benzoylecgonine Cocaine Metabolite

5.4

Fentanyl

131.4

Morphine

35.5

The safety aspect when collecting this sample vs. utilizing needles is a huge benefit.

Case Study 2 - Rigor Mortis

6-day decomposed decedent presenting with numerous drugs when compared to blood and urine

ORAL FLUID QUANTITATIVE RESULTS by LC-MS/MS in ng/mL

Oral Fluid

Femoral Blood

Urine

6-acetylmorphine

147.3

250

Acetaminophen

241.2

Amphetamine

100.9

Cyclobenzaprine

8.3

Fentanyl

39.5

3.2

>100

Methamphetamine

992.2

209

>20,000

Morphine

149.5

20.4

4,034

Hydrocodone

24.3

302

Oxycodone

11.5

Oral fluid collection methodology detects more drugs than blood and urine in this patient

Case Study 3 - 6-day Decomposed Decedent

It is very difficult and/or impossible in certain cases to collect blood and/or urine from burn victims as well as identifying the identity of the victim. The body was burned inside and out, and all traditional matrices and organs destroyed. The collection wand was placed in the buccal cavity and remained there for 15 minutes and then placed into the collection device.

ORAL FLUID QUANTITATIVE RESULTS by LC-MS/MS in ng/mL

6-acetylmorphine

250.8

Amphetamine

402.2

Diazepam

5.6

Methampetamine

>1,000

Not only were drugs found in the oral fluid, but DNA was extracted form the collection pad to identify the subject’s sex as well as their identity.

Case Study 4 – Explosion “Burn” Victim

Two canoe victims were found dead under the water 5 and 10 days, respectively. Victim 1 was found
under the water after 5 days and presented with methamphetamine and amphetamine. The second victim
was found dead under the water after 10 days and presented with alcohol, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC.

Victim 1

ORAL FLUID QUANTITATIVE RESULTS by LC-MS/MS in ng/mL

Amphetamine

26.2

Methamphetamine

162.4

Victim 2

ORAL FLUID QUANTITATIVE RESULTS by LC-MS/MS in ng/mL

Amphetamine

30.2

Methamphetamine

343.5

Delta-9-THC

272.9

EtS

102.4

EtG

410.0

Canoe victims’ bodies recovered from Flambeau River

Case Study 5 - Drowning Victims

Body of a 27- year-old female found dead near a body of water with numerous drugs found in her system. These drugs were also found to be sold by the same dealer.

With oral fluid we were able to identify the drugs within 24 hours which led to the police finding the dealer

Body of 27-year old woman / Toxicology Report

Case Study 6 - Female Overdose

Muscle tissue was found in a boot. Two pieces of muscle were recovered by the medical examiner and taken for autopsy. After autopsy, the muscle was sent to SteelFusion for toxicology testing. We quantified methamphetamine and amphetamine from 174-day decomposed muscle tissue.

After 2 months, the autopsy toxicology only presented with methamphetamine intoxication. Our results showed an additional drug.