April - June 2010 - Bureau of Police Research and Development

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Detection of Lorazepam from Human Viscera by a new HPLC techniqueHPLC chromatogram No-2[Overlay of HPLC chromatograms of std.Lorazepam (blue), Trapex tablet(red) and visceraextract(green)].ResultsThe TLC findings (Photo no- 3) confirmed thepresence of the benzopdiazepines in the exhibits.The IR spectra confirmed the presence of lorazepamin the 'trapex' tablets. All the samples under the sameanalytical results gave a sharp peak at almost sameretention time, which matches with the retention timeof the standard lorazepam. An overlay of thechromatograms (HPLC chromatogram no. 2)confirms the presence of lorazepam in the stomachcontents, extract of trapex tablets and in the vialcontaining some powdery substances. The exhibitssent to Biology/Serology division tested negativefor the presence of any spermatozoa in them andalso there was no match of the accused’s saliva inany of the exhibits.DiscussionThe conventional techniques of detection of suchdrug is the use of Gas Chromatograph coupled withMass spectrophotometer (GC-MS). But lorazepamwas likely to loose a water molecule under GC-MSoperating conditions. The qualitative identificationof the original compound was more important fromthe forensic and legal point of view. The usualrecommended HPLC techniques employs the useof an isocratic run with buffer based mobile phase.The buffer is used to cope with the size of anyinjected sample as otherwise tailing peaks canarise due to change in ionic form duringchromatography. However, in this case it wasdecided to run the HPLC with Acetonitrile: Water(in reduced pH). The chromatographs did not showany tailing effect. The chromatographs in reducedpH shows an increase in retention, the pH and thepKa of the drug are important since the non-ionizedspecies shows greater retention. The results wereconclusive and it proved that the viscera extractcontained drug namely lorazepam, which was theactive constituent of Trapex. As there were no othersources available, the deceased died due to theoverdose of the said drug, which was from the'trapex' tablet. The absence of any drug in theaerated cold drinks or in the steel glass, it couldnot be concluded as to what was the food throughwhich it was administered.ConclusionsLorazepam, the active ingredient of trapex tabletsis a benzodiazepine group of drug with short tomedium duration of action. It has all the fiveintrinsic benzodiazepine affects namely anxiolytic,sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and musclereluctant to different extent. Since its introductionin 1971, it has been used as powerful anxiolyticand its principal use has been for treating anxietyand related disorders like irrational behavior.However due to the addictive potential ofbenzodiazepines, this group of compounds fallunder the controlled psychotropic substances actand it is available to patients /users only undermedical supervision with recommendation fromappropriate authority. The boy who used thecompound namely Lorazepam to take revengesimply could not collect the same. According tosources, the accused took a xerox copy of theprescription from one of his kin who wasundergoing treatment for mental disorder andcollected the same drug from different retaildealers. In this way he accumulated aconsiderable quantity, enough to kill some onewith its overdose.44 ➢ The Indian Police Journal Vol. LVII-No. 2, April-June, 2010
Detection of Lorazepam from Human Viscera by a new HPLC techniqueAcknowledgementThe authors are thankful to L. Loganathan, Director,State FSL, Tripura for kind encouragement andnecessary support in preparation of this paper.ReferencesWorking Procedure Manual on Narcotic Drugs andPsychotropic Substances, 2005, Directorate ofForensic Sciences, MHA, Govt. of India.Working Procedure Manual Toxicology, 2005.,Directorate of Forensic Sciences, MHA, Govt. ofIndia.Clarke's Analysis of Drugs and Poison, 3rd edition,Pharmaceutical Press, London, Chicago.Indian Pharmacopoeia 1996, Controller ofPublications, DelhiBritish Pharmacopoeia 2007, The Stationary Officeon behalf of the Medicines and Healthcare ProductsRegulatory Agency (MHRA),Orlovic, D, Ralulovic, D, Ivanovic, D, Vuzic, Z., “HPLCdetermination of Lorazepam and lorazepam relatedcompounds in pharmaceuticalformulations”.Chromatographia, Vol-52, No-11/12, Dec 2000, p732.Hindmarch. Ian (January 30, 1997). "Benzodiazepines and their effects". benzo. org. uk.Retrieved on 2007-05-13.Oelshlagfer H. (July4, 1989). "Chemical andPharmacologic aspects of benzodiazepines".Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 78(27-28): 766-72.PMID 2570451.MacKinnon GL: Parker WA. (1982). "Benzodiazepinewithdrawal syndrome: a literature review andevaluation". The American journal of drug andalcohol abuse. 9(1): 19-33. doi 10.3109/00952998209002608. PMID 6133446.United States Government: U.S. Depatment ofHealth and Humna Services' 2004: "Drug AbuseWarning Network. 2004: National Estimates ofDrug- Related Emergency Department Visits".Analytical Profile of Drug substances- Ed. KlausFlorey Academic Press, NY.The Indian Police Journal Vol. LVII-No. 2, April-June, 2010 45➢
Page 1: Vol. LVII-No.2APRIL-JUNE, 2010Edito
Page 4 and 5: Abstracts & Key WordsPolice Sub-Cul
Page 9 and 10: Police Sub-Culture : An Adaptation
Page 11 and 12: Police Sub-Culture : An Adaptation
Page 13 and 14: IntroductionSingapore Community Pol
Page 15 and 16: Singapore Community Policing Experi
Page 17 and 18: Singapore Community Policing Experi
Page 19 and 20: Relevance of KPAs & KPIs in Policin
Page 25 and 26: Conviction Rate : A Reality CheckSh
Page 27 and 28: Conviction Rate : A Reality Checkor
Page 29 and 30: Conviction Rate : A Reality Checkof
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Page 37 and 38: Cell Tower Radiation Hazard: Need f
Page 39 and 40: Cell Tower Radiation Hazard: Need f
Page 41 and 42: Detection of Lorazepam from Human V
Page 43: Detection of Lorazepam from Human V
Page 47 and 48: Domestic Violence against Women and
Page 49 and 50: Domestic Violence against Women and
Page 51 and 52: IntroductionA Study of Burnout and
Page 53 and 54: A Study of Burnout and Marital Adju
Page 59 and 60: anger has emanated against Pakistan
Page 61 and 62: e overcome and citizens forums and
Page 63 and 64: Marital Rape : The Assasination of
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Page 75 and 76: Silence of the Law on Marital Rapea
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Page 83: James M Klatell (Aug 2006) : Bomb T

April - June 2010 - Bureau of Police Research and Development

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