SOFT 2004 Meeting Abstracts - Society of Forensic Toxicologists

P53
LORAZEPAM AND DEATH INVESTIGATION
Jayne E. Clarkson'·, Ann Marie Gordon', Barry K. Logan'
IWashington State Toxicology Laboratory, Forensic Laboratory Services Bureau, Washington State Patrol,
2203 Airport Way South, Seattle, WA 98134.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of lorazepam (Ativan®), a benzodiazepine frequently
used to manage anxiety and to sedate, in death investigations. Lorazepam has been detected with
increasing frequency in death investigation cases in Washington State. A review of the literature revealed
there is currently limited data on the significance of lorazepam in death investigation cases.
We reviewed death investigation cases which were positive for lorazepam at the Washington State
Toxicology Laboratory between January 1998 and December 2003. The mean drug concentration found in
the blood of these decedents (n=112) was 0.15 mg/L (S.D. 0.39, median of 0.03 mg/L). Concentrations
ranged from