The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 1990
Carbon monoxide poisoning. Five-years' experience in a defined population.
A review is presented of 302 cases in East Denmark in 1982-1986 in which the manner of death was fatal carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. The incidence of this far too frequent single-substance poisoning has as yet not decreased over the years despite preventive measures. The number of fatal CO poisoning cases may diminish as a result of a natural gas project in progress. The purpose of this survey, therefore, is to contribute to the evaluation of the actual causes of these fatal poisonings in East Denmark, and to discuss existing measures that prevent gas poisonings, in the expectation of a decline both in gas suicides and in accidental gas poisonings within the next few years.
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Am J Forensic Med Pathol · Sep 1990
Case ReportsArsenic poisoning: acute or chronic? Suicide or murder?
The case of the death by arsenic poisoning of a 62-year-old white man is presented. One year prior to death, he developed intermittent bouts of severe gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea, hyperpigmentation and keratosis of the skin, neutropenia, and Guillain-Barré-like neuropathy for which he was hospitalized several times. Urine test results 6 months prior to death indicating 36 mg/L arsenic were believed to be in error. ⋯ The wife of the decedent was charged with murder by arsenic poisoning of this, her fifth, husband. The defense alleged that the decedent had committed suicide. The judge awarded a directed verdict of "not guilty." Particulars of the medical, toxicological, and investigative findings are presented.