Complex suicide with homemade nicotine patches.
Suicide by self-poisoning is rather common around the world. This paper presents an exceptional complex suicide in which nicotine was applied in the form of self-made patches soaked with an extraction from fine-cut tobacco. In addition, the 51-year-old suicide victim took a lethal dose of diphenhydramine. Toxicological analysis also revealed the presence of tetrazepam in subtherapeutic concentrations. The scene of death suggested an autoerotic accident at first, as the body was tied with tapes, cables and handcuffs. As a result of the entire investigations, the fatality had to be classified as a suicidal intoxication by nicotine and diphenhydramine.
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; University Center of Legal Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva 4, Switzerland. Electronic address: christelle.lardi@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
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Lardi
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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Vogt
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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Pollak
Institute of Forensic Medicine, Freiburg University Medical Center, Albertstraße 9, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.
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Thierauf
D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D013405:Suicide; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D009538:Nicotine; D004155:Diphenhydramine
Complex suicide; Diphenhydramine; Nicotine; Self-tying; Transdermal application