Complicated suicide versus autoeroticism?: a case involving multiple drugs and a porta-potty.
In this report, a unique and bizarre case of complicated suicide is presented. The decedent was found dead in the basin of a porta-potty, wearing women's pantyhose, jewelry, and makeup. The initial investigation was suspect for homicide. Although an autoerotic accidental death cannot be excluded, the patient's medical history and autopsy results provided evidence for suicide, including several substances positive in his serum. Tramadol was quantified to be 140 mg/L, approximately 470 times the therapeutic range. Moreover, formaldehyde was also present, presumably absorbed from the contents of the chemical toilet. An exhaustive search could not reveal similar circumstances of suicide in a porta-potty or with the levels of tramadol found in the decedent.
School of Medicine, Indiana University, 631 N Morton St, Bloomington, IN 47404, USA. evandickerson@gmail.com
Evan Matthew
EM
Dickerson
Prentiss
P
Jones
Dennis
D
Wilkins
Janis
J
Regnier
Joseph A
JA
Prahlow
D000328:Adult; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000032:analysis; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000209:etiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000032:analysis; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012869:Skin Absorption; D013405:Suicide; D014038:Toilet Facilities; D014147:Tramadol / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D014190:Transvestism
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D004202:Disinfectants; D005557:Formaldehyde; D014147:Tramadol; D000661:Amphetamine