[Death in the bathtub--rectal drug administration]

Arch Kriminol. 1998 Mar-Apr;201(3-4):80-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

A young nurse was found dead in a bathtub. An autopsy revealed the following results: pulmonary emphysema, severe edema of both lungs, transudation in both pleural cavities. Conspicuous were skin sticks of a white wax material. In chemical-toxicological analysis diazepam, tetrazepam and phenobarbital were detected in this material. After anal-rectal and additionally oral ingestion the following blood concentrations were determined: BAC 0.03/1000; diazepam 500 ng/ml; nordiazepam 65 ng/ml; tetrazepam 180 ng/ml; phenobarbital 9.4 mg/l. In connection with this drug effects an acute, multifocal, suppurating bronchopneumonia in both lungs was revealed as the cause of death.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Rectal
  • Adult
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / blood
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / poisoning*
  • Benzodiazepines*
  • Benzodiazepinones / blood
  • Benzodiazepinones / poisoning*
  • Bronchopneumonia / chemically induced
  • Bronchopneumonia / pathology
  • Diazepam / blood
  • Diazepam / poisoning*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / blood
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / poisoning*
  • Phenobarbital / blood
  • Phenobarbital / poisoning*
  • Pleura / pathology
  • Pulmonary Emphysema / pathology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Suicide*

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Benzodiazepinones
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Benzodiazepines
  • tetrazepam
  • Diazepam
  • Phenobarbital