Title

Determination of Asenapine Maleate from Maggots by Solid-Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy.

Authors

Muskan, Vimukti Chauhan, Jaskaran Singh, Saurabh Shukla, Dasari Harish

Abstract

Introduction: Forensic entomology and Forensic entomotoxicology are two fields which are interconnected and are creating a niche of their own in the area of research. In certain cases of drug abuse/ intoxication, when there are no viscera samples available for toxicological analysis, the fly larvae which feed the deceased flesh can be of great help in detection of the drug. In this process, environmental factors like temperature, rain, humidity etc. work as the variables, affecting the process. Methodology: Different concentrations of Asenapine maleate were spiked in five goat meat samples weighing 250 grams each, along with a blank control sample. They were then placed in an open environment to observe and study the natural decomposition process and the different life stages of the sarcophagus insects (flies). Results and Discussion: The drug was found in the maggots of samples containing 20 µg/ml, 30 µg/ml, 40 µg/ml and 50 µg/ml drug, but it was not found in the sample containing 10 µg/ml drug. The reason behind this is the limit of detection. Conclusion: It has been reported that different drugs are being abused regularly by humans for various reasons. Several cases have been reported wherein overdose of these drugs leads to death. In this study, an attempt was made to develop a protocol for detection and determination of drugs in relation with entomological specimens.

Keywords

Entomo-Toxicology, Entomological Fauna, Post Mortem Interval, Drug Detection.