[LawDog]

I am looking at a tox report on vitreous fluid.  Sample was taken by coroner.  Tested positive for Benzoylecgonine at 299 ng/mL.  I understand that indicates use of cocaine, and only cocaine.  Is this a high or low amount?  Being from vitreous fluid, can one determine level of "intoxication" at the time of an event 4 or 5 hours earlier?  The person from whom the sample was taken was killed in a car accident.  I am an attorney involved in defending the civil action which has been brought as a result of this young man's death.  I simply do not know what this positive finding means, but I stumbled on your website.  Thanks

[qw098]

Let me redirect you here: http://www.chemicalforums.com/index.php?topic=2456.0

Explains everything you need to know

[iaera6]

Benzoylecgonine is the compound tested for in most substantive cocaine urinalyses. It is the corresponding carboxylic acid resulting of the hydrolysis of the methyl ester of cocaine. It is formed in the liver by the metabolism of cocaine, catalysed by carboxylesterases, and subsequently excreted in the urine. It can be found in the urine for considerably longer than the cocaine itself which is generally cleared out within 5 days. Small amounts may be traced back to certain OTC (over the counter) medications, after having been metabolized in the liver.

(sig removed, sjb)