[The physician as Sherlock Holmes. Accident, murder by poisoning or suicide?].
Any case of unclear or atypical clinical presentation must arouse a suspicion of poisoning. Although pathognomonic findings are rare, there may nevertheless be an accumulation of signs and symptoms. These include impairment of consciousness, vertigo, headache, circulatory disorders, cramps/convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Forensic terminology differentiates between outside influence, self-poisoning and accidental poisoning. In the former case, substances are used that are deadly in small amounts, and are unremarkable in appearance, smell and taste. The poisons used by suicides are usually commonly used poisonous substances that are freely available to purchasers. For forensic purposes, it is essential that specimens of blood, urine or stomach contents be obtained for toxicological investigations. Inspection of the corpse must routinely include a search for unusual signs (e.g. traces of powder around the mouth, foam at the mouth and nose, desiccation, unusual postmortem lividity, hair loss, etc.).
Penning
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Institut für Rechtsmedizin der LMU München, Frauenlobstr. 7a, D-80337 München.
D000059:Accidents; D001344:Autopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D010819:Physician's Role; D011041:Poisoning / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide