SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists

P23
CASE REPORT: THE USE OF AMITRIPTYLINE IN DRUG FACILITATED SEXUAL ASSAULT
Kristina Fritz*
Los Angeles County Department of Coroner, 1104 N. Mission Road, Los Angeles, CA 90033
Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant with sedative effects that has been available in the United States
since the early 1960's. It is administered in 10-150 mg tablets or as a 10 mgIL injectable solution. While
amitriptyline is commonly encountered by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner Toxicology
Laboratory, the circumstances of its use in four Southern California homicides is unique.
Four murders occurred between April 2000 and April 2001. The victims, two females and two males, were
initially invited for consensual sex. They were then drugged, sexually abused, bound with ligatures, and
ultimately killed. This report reviews four cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault using amitriptyline. The
presence of amitriptyline in high concentrations coupled with unique criminalistics evidence aided in the
linking of this series of homicides across county jurisdictions.
The analysis of amitriptyline from postmortem. specimens consisted of a basic, liquid/liquid (nbutylchloride)
extraction procedure with screening and quantitation by GC/NPD. Linearity was achieved
from 0.10 to 5.0 mg/L with the limit of quantitation at 0.10 mgIL. Confirmation of amitriptyline was
determined using a GCIMS by comparison with an analytical standard.
The following amitriptyline concentrations are reported.
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Central Hood Peri(Deral Hood liver Gastric Brain
Case # 1 - - 86 19rrg 62
Case #2 - - 76 - 83
Case #3 O.IX> 0.11 1