Toxicological Laboratory 

In the event of death in connection with poisoning by an unknown nox, the laboratory provides its license. The determination of these substances is based on classical methods of analytical chemistry in appropriate modifications. With respect to modern trends, appropriate instrumental methods are used.

The basic task of the laboratory is to determine the alcohol in the blood of the deceased. The main method for the determination of blood alcohol level is gas chromatography (GC), the Widmark method (iodometric titration) is used for verification. Further, by gas chromatography, volatiles such as acetone, acetaldehyde, and toluene are determined. In the blood of the dead, carbon monoxide is detected on suspicion of poisoning by this nox (spectrophotometry). In cyanide poisoning we show cyanide ions in gastric contents. Another essential task is to identify drugs and drugs in biological material. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) are used for the detection. For the needs of the police, blood for alcohol is investigated in live persons who have committed a crime. In the case of gunshot wounds, nitrites are detected as evidence of the presence of gunpowder around the point of shooting and firing.

On January 23, 2017, the Toxicological Laboratory of the Department of Forensic Medicine was awarded a certificate of compliance with the conditions of Audit II of the National Authorization Center for Clinical Laboratories at ČLS JEP and participated in the program of quality improvement in health care guaranteed by the Ministry of Health.

• Comments on health services (PDF document)
• Accreditation certificate
• Audit

Quality manager

Ing. Jaroslav Zikmund, jaroslav.zikmund@vfn.cz , tel. 22496 8620 

Determination of blood alcohol levels

At the Institute of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, blood alcohol levels are determined for living persons for the needs of the Czech Police and other bodies.

Opening hours

• Mon - Thu: 7:00 - 15:30
• Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m

Price list

• Prices are charged according to the Price List of Services not covered by health insurance in accordance with VFN legislation.
• Blood / urine testing for alcohol: 650 CZK.

Payments

• By postal order, cash at VFN box office or Institute secretariat.
• The result will only be issued to the applicant after proof of payment has been provided.

Histological laboratory

The basic tasks of this laboratory include the processing of necropsies and the staining of histological preparations by classical methods used in pathological-anatomical wards. For forensic purposes, cryostat-excised fat-colored excisions are made for the detection of fat embolism to confirm the diagnosis of the intravital effect of violence on the human body. Furthermore, we show hemosiderin and hematoidin, important for the assessment of injury age. Interestingly, medical-diagnostic diagnosis is the detection of siliceous kelp diatoms in the fluid from the lungs and in the internal organs upon death by drowning.

Opening hours

• Mon - Thu: 7:00 - 15:30
• Fri: 7:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m

Immunohistochemical Laboratory

Forensic purposes, metals (metallization) are detected in this laboratory in electric shock injuries and the distinction between shot and shot defects in gunshot wounds. Significant examinations include the determination of the blood group by histotest in cases where classical serology cannot be used, for example in advanced rotting body decomposition. Furthermore, myocardium was examined histochemically for evidence of early signs of ischemia on the basis of CHD as one of the most common causes of sudden death.

files for download

Laboratory manual (PDF document)
Critical limits (PDF document)