Citation

Akhgari M, Baghdadi F, Kadkhodaei A. Aust. J. Forensic Sci. 2016; 48(2): 186-194.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00450618.2015.1045552

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Cyanide has been used as a poison for thousands of years. Symptoms of cyanide poisoning begin quickly and death occurs within minutes. In this study, we review 52 cyanide poisoning cases in Tehran, Iran, over a four-year interval, from 30 December 2009 to 1 January 2014. Toxicological analysis and post-mortem findings are discussed. Colour test (Prussian Blue) was used for screening for cyanide with confirmation using the voltammetry method. The youngest decedent was a 2-month old girl. Men constituted 76.9% (40) of the total 52 victims. Peak age prevalence of cases was seen in age groups 21-40 years (32 cases, i.e. 61.5%). Methadone and opioid alkaloids were the most common drugs detected in biological samples in this study. A suicide attempt was the main cause of poisoning in 33 cases. The results showed that cyanide-poisoning-related deaths are among the most public health problems in Iran. Restricted access to cyanide and stricter buying and selling controls may reduce intentional self-poisoning with this dangerous substance. © 2015 Australian Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; Suicide; female; male; Iran; prevalence; cause of death; suicide attempt; forensic toxicology; major clinical study; retrospective study; opiate; methadone; cyanide; cyanide poisoning; Article; public health problem; ferric ferrocyanide; alkaloid; potentiometry; color vision test; fatal poisoning