Extraction, isolation and clean-up methods for barbiturates & tranquillizers from biological material

In forensic autopsy case, the forensic pathologist may require a complete toxicological investigation for drugs, pesticides and other compounds. In India, this is usually carried out by Forensic Science Laboratories run by government under the Home ministry. The samples have to be analyzed by the forensic toxicologist. This article deals with the extraction, isolation and clean up procedures for analysis of barbiturates and tranquillizers.It attempts to simplify the standard procedures in a flow chart manner, which can be of handy reference for the forensic toxicologist. It is in continuation to the toxicology manual series article - I in volume number 9, number 1 issue,2006.