title: Autoerotic accident associated with self-applied ketamine.
abstract: We present a rare case of an autoerotic accident involving a fatal combination of asphyxia by suffocation and intoxication with self-administered intravenous ketamine. Of note in this case is the fact that the victim was an emergency medical technician. Ketamine causes complete analgesia with superficial unconciousness and amnesia called "dissociative anasthesia". Futhermore low anaesthetic doses of ketamine induce alterations in mood, cognition and body image and the substance is an emerging drug of abuse. We discuss the death scene investigation, findings at autopsy and the toxicological report.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical School Hannover, Germany. Breitmeier.Dirk@MH-Hannover.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Breitmeier
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Passie
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mansouri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Albrecht
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kleemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D010262:Paraphilic Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000209:etiology; D012646:Self Administration
chemical_list: D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D007649:Ketamine