Citation

Kröll AK, Wetter C, Schmidt P, Schäfer N. Rechtsmedizin 2017; 27(6): 542-546.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00194-017-0169-7

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article presents the case of a 36-year old gardener who committed suicide by yew intoxication. Knowledge of biographical facts provides helpful information when examining putrefied bodies. Forensic examination and microscopic analysis of gastric content, followed by toxicological analysis of tissue specimens, confirmed an ingestion of yew toxins, thus leading to the conclusion of an occupation-related suicide. Despite missing standard specimens (blood and urine) due to decomposition, toxicological analysis of tissue homogenates offered reliable results. © 2017, Springer Medizin Verlag Berlin.

Language: de

Keywords

Forensic medicine; Profession; Suicide; Yew intoxication; Yew toxins