Citation

Shiferaw K, Perret G, La Harpe R. J. Med. Leg. Droit Med. 2004; 47(4): 103-106.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, Masson)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We report a fatal case of insulin intoxication in a non-diabetic 52 year old woman employed by a pharmacy. She was found dead at home by her husband, lying naked at the foot of the stairs. Investigation at the scene excluded the presence of hypodermic needles, syringes or injection vials. Autopsy showed no lethal injuries or disease processes. The chemical-toxicological investigation revealed exogenous insulin intoxication as a cause of death. Police finally concluded that it was a suicide. This case illustrates that the cause and the manner of death due to fatal insulin intoxication can be missed, because insulin is not included in routine analyses. That demonstrates the need for a thorough scene investigation by the police and forensic doctor and complete autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Language: fr

Keywords

adult; Intoxication; Accident; human; Homicide; suicide; Suicide; female; autopsy; case report; cause of death; Insulin; intoxication; pharmacy; article; drug intoxication; fluoxetine; flupentixol; C peptide; injection; insulin; metformin; furosemide; bisacodyl; cetirizine; deanxit; employee; lormetazepam; melitracen; pantoprazole