Forensic science international
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Anaphylaxis is a life threatening allergic reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause sudden death. A retrospective study was performed using the database from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in the State of Maryland and the Department of Forensic Medicine in Shanghai Medical College (DFM-SMC) to examine the etiology and forensic investigation findings of anaphylactic deaths from 2004 to 2006. Details of the medical history, agent responsible for the allergic reaction, death scene investigation and postmortem examination findings were reviewed for all cases. ⋯ In Maryland anaphylactic deaths were mainly caused by food reactions. This study indicates that the postmortem diagnosis of anaphylactic death is usually based on exclusion and circumstantial evidence. Knowledge of the patient's history and circumstances of death is of major importance for the forensic pathologist when investigating suspected anaphylactic death.