Małgorzata Korczyńska

Publications of Małgorzata Korczyńska

• [Smuggling of the cocaine in the gastrointestinal tract ended in sudden death--the first case report from the Upper Silesia].

  Authors: Rafał Celiński, Christian Jabłoński, Rafał Skowronek, Małgorzata Korczyńska, Joanna Kulikowska, Joanna Nowicka, Czesław Chowaniec, Anna Uttecht-Pudełko

  Wiadomości lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960). 01/2011; 64(2):109-12.

  Fifty-year old man was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment. Forensic autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy revealed the presence of 55 latex "balls" in theFifty-year old man was found dead in the bathroom of his apartment. Forensic autopsy was ordered to determine the cause and manner of death. Autopsy revealed the presence of 55 latex "balls" in the stomach and foregut. In the past the victim was suspected of drug's dealing and smuggling. The content of "balls" and biological material (blood, urine, bloody fluid from internal organs) were analysed with LC MS/MS in the Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Toxicology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. The range of cocaine' concentration in the "balls" was 91.2-96.1%, whereas concentration in blood - 107.50 microg/ml, in urine - 284.60 microg/ml and in bloody fluid - 192.30 microg/ml. The cause of death was acute cocaine intoxication.

• [Methods of carbon monoxide determination in postmortem blood--advantages and disadvantages].

  Authors: Joanna Nowicka, Teresa Grabowska, Joanna Kulikowska, Rafał Celiński, Małgorzata Korczyńska, Kornelia Droździok

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 61(1):75-9.

  With respect to epidemiology of carbon monoxide poisonings, the diagnostic management of poisonings caused by this xenobiotic is among the fundamental objectives of forensic toxicology. In forensicWith respect to epidemiology of carbon monoxide poisonings, the diagnostic management of poisonings caused by this xenobiotic is among the fundamental objectives of forensic toxicology. In forensic practice, to determine carbon monoxide, colorimetric and spectrophotometric methods, as well as gas chromatography are used. Based on literature data and their own experience, the authors discuss analytical methods universally applied in determinations of carbon monoxide in postmortem blood. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as the cause of errors resulting from the specificity of the examined material (postmortem blood) are indicated.

• [State under the influence of drugs or psychotropic agents--a comparison of toxicological and medical examinations in materials of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine, Katowice].

  Authors: Małgorzata Korczyńska, Joanna Kulikowska, Rafał Celiński, Joanna Nowicka, Sebastian Rojek, Anna Uttecht-Pudełko

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 61(1):35-42.

  In the paper, the authors present the results of toxicological examinations of blood samples taken from drivers during road check procedures or from perpetrators of traffic road accidents,In the paper, the authors present the results of toxicological examinations of blood samples taken from drivers during road check procedures or from perpetrators of traffic road accidents, which--taking into consideration the kind of the determined agents and their concentrations--were compared with the results of medical examinations from blood sampling protocols studied in the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Silesian University of Medicine. All the blood samples were first analyzed using an immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). Then, the LC-MS method was used. The positive results of screening for the presence of cannabinols were verified by GC-MS. Out of 329 blood samples, 145 were positive. The presence of cannabinols, amphetamine or MDMA was the most predominant finding. Diazepam was determined in 4 cases and opiates in 1 case. Only in 31% cases did positive results of toxicological examinations correspond to deviations found during the medical examinations constituting the basis for the final diagnosis of state "under the influence". In practice, appraisal of drug influence during medical examination seems to be limited and dependent on variable reactions of the examined individuals to a psychoactive agent, time lapse between the traffic road event and the examination or concomitant symptoms associated with ethylene alcohol activity. The final diagnosis of state "under the influence of drugs" or "under the influence of psychotropic agents" given by the physician does not result from the effect of these substances observed during the medical examination, but is very often formulated based on the medical history or police findings. The analysis of the above mentioned cases where Delta9THC or/and amphetamine was detected showed no correlation between the concentration of the psychoactive agent determined in blood and symptoms triggered by its action as described by the physician.

• [Toxicological and medico-legal analyses of sudden deaths resulting from butane inhalation].

  Authors: Joanna Nowicka, Joanna Kulikowska, Małgorzata Korczyńska, Rafał Celiński, Czesław Chowaniec

  Archiwum medycyny sa̧dowej i kryminologii. 61(1):43-6.

  Butane is known to be a suffocating gas with narcotic activity, especially at high concentrations. Within the past five years, a few cases of sudden deaths in teenage boys who had inhaled butane, aButane is known to be a suffocating gas with narcotic activity, especially at high concentrations. Within the past five years, a few cases of sudden deaths in teenage boys who had inhaled butane, a component of gas for lighters, were investigated in the Forensic Medicine Department, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice. Analyses of biological materials secured at autopsies and evidence from places of deaths was carried out using GC/FID. Butane was found in blood, lung and brain samples of the deceased. Moreover, histopathological examinations were performed. Results of autopsies and additional analyses were appraised from the point of view of their significance and usefulness in giving medico-legal opinions on the cause of death.