NCJ Number
226716
Journal
Problems of Forensic Sciences Volume: 70 Dated: 2007 Pages: 147-153
Date Published
2007
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of an analysis of cases of complex poisonings investigated from 1997 through 2006 by the Department of Forensic Medicine in Katowice, Poland.
Abstract
A total of 127 cases were identified for analysis. All of the cases involved unintentional (accidental) intoxications primarily connected with opiate addiction (70 cases). Seventy-eight cases were suicide attempts that used several drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol. Accidental poisonings were linked with the overdosing of opiate narcotics and drugs, as well as with the administration of drugs and alcohol. Psychotropic drugs such as phenothiazines and benzodiazepines, which are considered safe for wide use in medical practice, were detected most often in complex poisonings; however, their administration in combination with ethanol or in a mixture with other drugs is life-threatening. The higher concentrations of alcohol found in accidental poisonings compared to suicidal poisonings may indicate the fatal but unexpected (by the consumer) influence of ethanol on the action of drugs administered by the user for therapeutic purposes. 10 tables and 6 references