The proportion of toxicology-positive cases was larger than the proportion classified as acute intoxications.
Toxicology was requested in 136 of 1,323 autopsies during a two-year Milan series. Of those tested, 101 had positive findings, while acute intoxication was identified in fifty-four. Diazepam was among the commonly detected substances, alongside cocaine, morphine and ethanol. Case records informed interpretation of cause and manner of death.
Testing was selected rather than universal, so the results cannot estimate drug prevalence in all deaths. A positive result is not a drug-specific cause-of-death classification. Co-exposures, specimen selection and the medical and investigative record remain necessary.
For testimony, distinguish the analytical finding from the causal conclusion reached after autopsy and investigation. The denominator is tested cases, not every autopsy or the general population. Diazepam detection may be relevant without establishing fatal benzodiazepine poisoning, and counts for all intoxications cannot be assigned to diazepam specifically.
Source reviewed: Postmortem forensic toxicology cases A retrospective review from Milan Italy (PMC9325463). Forensic applications above are interpretive analysis of the supplied publication.
Related reading: Moschus–Diazepam Rat Microdialysis Findings Do Not Directly Measure Sedative Depth.