Death by smothering following forced quetiapine administration in an infant.
We present a case of smothering of a 2-year-old male infant by his schizophrenic mother who was having a psychotic episode. In addition to the initial autopsy findings of conjunctival petechial hemorrhages, facial linear abrasions and bruises, and mucosal abrasions and bruises, expert odontologic examination revealed indentations of the cusps of central incisors and molars, providing additional evidence of smothering. The postmortem and toxicological examination revealed features of forced quetiapine administration. The case presented is the first case of forced administration of quetiapine described. Our case also highlights the value of expert forensic odontological examination.
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, the Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Australia. michaelb@vifp.monash.edu.au
Michael Philip
MP
Burke
Dip Forens
DF
Path
Suhail
S
Alamad
Grad
G
Dip
Kenneth
K
Opeskin
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000506:poisoning*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000473:pathology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D003288:Contusions / Q000473:pathology; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000506:poisoning*; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000473:pathology; D005553:Forensic Dentistry; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D022125:Lacerations / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D011312:Pressure; D011693:Purpura / Q000473:pathology; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003987:Dibenzothiazepines; D000069348:Quetiapine Fumarate