Homicidal Poisoning in China Using Several Anesthetic Drugs

Yi Ye ^[1] ; Youyi Yan ^[1] ; Daoyin Gong ^[2] ; Run Guo ^[1] ; Lin Yang ^[1] ; Linchuan Liao ^[1]
1. [1] Sichuan University
  
  Sichuan University
  
  China
2. [2] Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  
  Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
  
  China
Localización: Journal of forensic sciences, ISSN-e 1556-4029, ISSN 0022-1198, Vol. 61, Nº. 3, 2016, págs. 864-866
Idioma: inglés
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Resumen
- The authors describe a case of a well-designed homicidal poisoning in China. A male was treated with starvation, intravenous fluids and antibiotics while in the hospital for acute diarrhea. He suddenly suffered from shortness of breath and subsequently died. A forensic autopsy was carried out, and several specimens were collected for toxicological screening. Propofol was tentatively identified in the blood by GC-MS. Based on the presence of propofol in the blood, a suspect confessed that two other drugs, namely midazolam and vecuronium, were involved in this murder. Analytical drug quantification was then performed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. Blood analysis revealed the following: propofol at 0.5 lg/mL, midazolam at 0.098 lg/mL, and vecuronium at 0.10 lg/mL. These results suggest that the cause of death was respiratory depression due to the acute combined effect of several anesthetic drugs administered by the victim’s companion.