Berkeley County Enhances Post-Mortem Toxicology Testing
Berkeley County Coroner’s Office has taken a significant step forward in the fight against the opioid epidemic with the installation of the Evidence MultiSTAT for post-mortem toxicology testing, funded through opioid recovery grants.
Respond Swiftly to Suspected Overdose Cases
The newly implemented Evidence MultiSTAT analyser enables rapid screening of up to 29 drugs of abuse from post-mortem blood samples, delivering results in just 30 minutes. This marks a major advancement in the county’s ability to respond swiftly to suspected overdose cases and identify emerging drug trends in real time.
Provide Data Rapidly to Public Health
Previously reliant on external forensic laboratories, the coroner’s office often faced delays of several months before receiving toxicology results. With the MultiSTAT now operational, the team can accelerate investigations, inform law enforcement partners, and contribute to more timely public health interventions.
Prevention, Awareness, and Identify Emerging Drug Trends in Real Time
“We work very hard for prevention and awareness. But we are seeing a decrease here in Berkeley County with drug-related deaths. And we believe and we want to believe that it’s because of the efforts that we are doing with the county in a whole. Making sure that we are out there serving our constituents. And again, making people aware of what we are actually seeing and making sure that we have the prevention measures in place,” Hartwell says.
The most commonly detected substances include fentanyl and methamphetamine, with rising concerns around xylazine and bromazolam, a counterfeit benzodiazepine.
Reduce Overdose Deaths
Hartwell also noted a promising decline in overdose fatalities, from 84 in 2023 to 54 in 2024, crediting collaborative prevention efforts and increased awareness. Hartwell hopes that the MultiSTAT can aid their efforts in decreasing these numbers further.
Bring Hope to Communities
Berkeley County Coroner Darnell Hartwell, a long-standing advocate for overdose prevention, emphasised the broader impact of the MultiSTAT:
“This isn’t just a Berkeley County issue. We’re working along with a lot of different agencies, and our ultimate goal is to reduce these deaths and give people hope.”
This investment aligns Berkeley County with neighbouring Charleston and Dorchester Counties, ensuring that the entire Tri-County region now benefits from rapid toxicology screening capabilities.
Randox Toxicology
Randox Toxicology is proud to support Berkeley County in its mission to combat the opioid epidemic with innovative, high-impact solutions. The MultiSTAT is more than a diagnostic tool, it’s a catalyst for change, helping coroners and medical examiners deliver answers to families, empower first responders, and strengthen community resilience.
As synthetic opioids and emerging drug threats continue to evolve, Randox remains committed to equipping counties with the tools they need to respond swiftly, accurately, and compassionately.
Find out more
To learn more about our post-mortem screening:
Visit: https://www.randoxtoxicology.com/post-mortem-toxicology
Or email us at info@randoxoxicology.com
Source: Live 5 News