Cocaine metabolite detection in homicide victims
R. Hanzlick and G. T. Gowitt
Office of the Medical Examiner, Fulton County, Atlanta, Ga 30303.
We analyzed the blood of homicide victims for the presence of cocaine's
major metabolite, benzoylecgonine. During 1989 in Fulton County, Georgia,
81% of 275 homicide victims were tested for benzoylecgonine; 40% tested
positive. The proportions of blacks and victims of firearm injuries who
tested positive for benzoylecgonine were significantly larger than the
respective proportions for whites and victims of injuries not involving
firearms. The data show overall proportions of benzoylecgonine positivity
much larger than those previously reported in the literature. The
relationships between homicide, race, firearms, and cocaine use deserve
further study.
