A suicide using a homemade carbon monoxide "death machine".
Deaths related to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning are common. Most represent accidents and suicides, and most result from CO production via the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing substances. Suicide via CO toxicity is not uncommon and typically involves the use of motor-vehicle exhaust as a source of CO. Presented herein is a case of suicidal CO poisoning in which the CO was produced via a chemical reaction between formic acid and sulfuric acid within a homemade device.
Prahlow
Joseph A
JA
South Bend Medical Foundation and Indiana University School of Medicine--South Bend Center for Medical Education at the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 46601, USA. jprahlow@sbmf.org
Doyle
Barrett W
BW
D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D005561:Formates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013405:Suicide; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning
D005561:Formates; D006490:Hemostatics; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; C030544:formic acid; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D002263:Carboxyhemoglobin; C033158:sulfuric acid