Bernard Allen
Question:150 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Finance the length of time it takes for post-mortem samples to be analysed and returned to hospitals. [25407/01]
Written Answers. - Post-Mortem Samples.
In 2000 the State Laboratory received approximately 1,500 samples for analysis under the Coroners Acts. Indications are this figure will be exceeded in 2001. The main analyses carried out include ethanol determination, drug screening, quantification and confirmation for prescribed drugs, drugs of abuse and carbon monoxide determination. Samples are also analysed for solvents in cases of suspected volatile inhalation – toluene and butane – and in cases of accidental inhalation of gases. The prescribed drug screen can detect over 250 drugs, including methadone and specific analyses are available for cocaine, amphetamines, including Ecstasy, opiates and cannabinoids. These drugs must be quantified and confirmed to a level that will satisfy the scrutiny of a court of law.
Samples frequently require several different analyses to be carried out due to the prevalence of polydrug use in both the drug abuser and the prescription drug populations. The average number of analyses per sample in 2000 was three.
Post-mortem samples from autopsies are analysed to assist the coroners to establish the cause of death in cases of sudden death. The results of such analyses can indicate if the deceased was taking medication at the time of death, whether a drug overdose was taken or if the deceased was under the influence of alcohol or drugs in cases of fatal road traffic accidents or suicides.
In the case of simpler analyses, for example, where samples have only to be analysed for Ethanol, the samples are usually returned to coroners, and copied to hospital pathologists, within two to three weeks.
In the case of more complex analyses, because of the number of discrete steps which must be taken sequentially the average turn around time is now three to four months.