title: Homicide by Sch from a syringe-like dart ejected by a compound crossbow.
abstract: The compound crossbow can be used to eject syringe-like dart loaded with poisonous solution. Succinylcholine (Sch) is a short-acting neuromuscular blocker medically used to achieve complete relaxation of muscle for a good intubation condition. Without the help of an artificial respirator, intramuscular injection of a large dose of Sch can paralyze the respiratory muscle and result in the receiver's death. In this paper, we present the homicide case of a young male killed by Sch from a syringe-like dart ejected by a compound crossbow. The subcutaneous and muscular hemorrhages observed around the entry were more severe than that caused by a medical injection. Additionally, other autopsy results showed the external appearance of a pinhole, general asphyxia signs and pathological findings which were not characteristic. The discovery of a syringe-like dart at the scene is the critical clue and reason for analyzing for Sch, which is commonly used to load syringe-like dart to paralyze and steal dog in the countryside of China.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Basic Medicine College, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Basic Medicine College, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guochang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Basic Medicine College, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine, Basic Medicine College, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: mengxiangzhi63@163.com.
authors.forename: Xiangzhi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D049429:Forensic Pathology; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D013390:Succinylcholine
keywords: Compound crossbow; Homicide; Succinylcholine; Syringe-like dart