Case Reports Forensic Pathology 2025 Exercise 2: Differentiating Between Exogenous and Endogenous Postmortem Blood GHB Concentration: A Case Report

Authors

Alana Engleson, BS¹

Jennifer Hammers, DO²

Chloe Padasak, PA (ASCP)¹

Sarah Boring, BS¹

¹Jennifer Hammers Pathology, LLC

²College of Osteopathic Medicine and Forensic Science and Law Program

Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences

Duquesne University

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Primary Audience: Pathologists and Clinical Scientists
Secondary Audience: Residents, Laboratory Technologist/Scientist (Includes all sub-specialty areas), Students, Pathologist Assistants,  Laboratory Directors and Educators

Upon completion of this activity, you will be able to:

·       differentiate between endogenous, therapeutic, and lethal levels of postmortem GHB;

·       select appropriate next investigative steps after a positive GHB toxicology report;

·       describe the processes by which GHB can form postmortem;

·       identify the approved, off-label, and illicit uses for GHB; and

·       explain how GHB analogues are abused and how they are detected.