Citation

Küpper U, Madea B, Mußhoff F. Rechtsmedizin 2012; 22(5): 415-430.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00194-012-0811-3

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Succinylcholine (SUX) is a depolarizing muscle relaxant which causes a potentially fatal respiratory paralysis. Exploiting this pharmacological profile, SUX can be misused, e.g. in cases of assault, (attempted) homicide and suicide, and therefore constitutes a forensically relevant substance. Due to often only subtle indications it is difficult to recognize an intoxication with SUX; however, an early identification and correct handling of suspicious cases is of utmost importance for securing potential evidence and thus solving forensic cases. As intoxications mostly happen in a medical environment, clinical practitioners in particular should be sensitized to the forensic relevance of SUX. © Springer-Verlag 2012.

Language: de

Keywords

crime; homicide; suicide; forensic toxicology; Blood; article; forensic identification; medicolegal aspect; health care personnel; suxamethonium; legal evidence; Urine; Drug stability; Succinylmonocholine; Tissues