Application of the combined use of fused silica capillary columns and NPD for the toxicological determination of codeine and ethylmorphine in a human overdose case.

The applicability of capillary gas chromatography to the toxicological analysis of extracts of human tissue samples was investigated for codeine and ethylmorphine in a case of drug overdose. After column extraction, the samples were injected onto a fused silica capillary column, using a direct injection technique. The nitrogen-phosphorus detector provided excellent stability and sensitivity without the need for extensive clean-up procedures.