Dutch Forensic Institute tracks morphine in bodies to aid murder investigations

The Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) says new research may assist in solving murder cases involving painkillers like morphine. Toxicologist Rogier van der Hulst has been investigating how morphine disperses in the human body after death over the past few years.

The study involved five individuals who were using prescription morphine at the time of their death and had donated their bodies to science. Samples were collected 24 hours, 48 hours, and 13 weeks post-mortem.

“Following a substance at several points in the same person is unique and offers crucial insights for cases where bodies are found late, such as people who have been at home or outdoors for an extended period, or during exhumations,” Van der Hulst explained.

Van der Hulst believes that monitoring morphine levels over time in different parts of the body provides clearer insight into how the drug distributes after death. “By more accurately estimating the concentration at the moment of death, it becomes possible to determine with greater confidence whether poisoning played a role,” he said.

The study took place at a scientific cemetery adjacent to the Amsterdam UMC clinic, where research on human decomposition is conducted. “It may seem like a macabre investigation, but our work is ultimately for potential crime victims: we help tell the story they can no longer tell,” Van der Hulst explained.

Among the findings, the study indicates that muscle and brain tissue remain reliable alternatives to blood for toxicology testing up to 13 weeks post-mortem. A follow-up study set to begin next year will expand the research to other substances and post-mortem processes in the body.