Citation

Lardi C, Vogt S, Pollak S, Thierauf A. Forensic Sci. Int. 2014; 236: e14-e18.

Affiliation

Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.12.017

PMID

24439154

Abstract

Suicide by self-poisoning is rather common around the world. This paper presents an exceptional complex suicide in which nicotine was applied in the form of self-made patches soaked with an extraction from fine-cut tobacco. In addition, the 51-year-old suicide victim took a lethal dose of diphenhydramine. Toxicological analysis also revealed the presence of tetrazepam in subtherapeutic concentrations. The scene of death suggested an autoerotic accident at first, as the body was tied with tapes, cables and handcuffs. As a result of the entire investigations, the fatality had to be classified as a suicidal intoxication by nicotine and diphenhydramine.

Language: en