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Abstract

Daturapoisonings have been previously described but remain rare in forensic practice. Here, we present a homicide case involvingDaturapoisoning, which occurred during a robbery. Toxicological results were obtained by second autopsy performed after one previous autopsy and full body embalmment. A 35-year-old man presented with severe stomach and digestive pain, became unconscious and ultimately died during a trip in Asia. A first autopsy conducted in Asia revealed no trauma, intoxication or pathology. The corpse was embalmed with methanol/formalin. A second autopsy was performed in France, and toxicology samples were collected. Scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine were found in the vitreous humor, in addition to methanol. Police investigators questioned the local travel guide, who admitted to having addedDaturato a drink to stun and rob his victim. The victim's death was attributed to disordered heart rhythm due to severe anticholinergic syndrome following fatalDaturaintoxication. This is a recent case of a rare homicide involvingDaturathat highlights general information onDaturaand discusses forensic interpretation after a previous autopsy and body embalmment.

Details

Title
Forensic features of a fatal Datura poisoning case during a robbery
Author
Le Garff, E; Delannoy, Y; Mesli, V; Hédouin, V; Tournel, G
Pages
e17-e21
Section
Case report
Publication year
2016
Publication date
Apr 1, 2016
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
e-ISSN
18726283
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
1775185152
Copyright
Copyright Elsevier Limited Apr 1, 2016