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A meta-analysis of marijuana, cocaine and opiate toxicology study findings among homicide victims
Addiction, 06/30/09

Kuhns JB et al. - There are relatively few studies of illicit drug toxicology reports from homicide victims that allow for cross-cultural comparisons. This study provides a basis for comparing future local toxicology test results to estimates from existing research.

Methods

A meta-analysis of 18 independent studies identified from an extensive review of 239 published articles that met the inclusion criteria of reporting marijuana, cocaine and/or opiate toxicology test results for homicide victims.
A total of 28,868 toxicology test results derived from 30,482 homicide victims across five countries were examined.

Results

On average, 6% of homicide victims tested positive for marijuana, 11% tested positive for cocaine, and 5% tested positive for opiates.
The proportion of homicide victims testing positive for illicit drugs has increased over time.
Age had a strong curvilinear relationship with toxicology test results, but gender differences were not apparent.
Hispanic and African American homicide victims were more likely to test positive for cocaine; Caucasians were most likely to test positive for opiates.
Cocaine use appeared to be related to increased risk of death from a firearm and was a greater risk factor for violent victimization in the United States than in Newfoundland and Scandinavia.

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