A rare case of cyanide intoxication

• Published in: Medicinski pregled Vol. 74; no. 11-12; pp. 380 - 382
• Main Authors: Vapa, Dusan, Djurendic-Brenesel, Maja, Andjelic, Blagoje, Kolarski, Ivor, Radosavkic, Radosav, Maletin, Miljen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• ISSN: 0025-8105; 1820-7383
• DOI: 10.2298/MPNS2112380V

Introduction. Cyanide is one of the most rapidly acting poisons and therefore it can be important in cases of suicide, homicide or accidental death. Nevertheless, cyanide intoxications are not common in forensic practice. Case Report. We present a case of a Caucasian male, 63 years of age, whose body was found lying in bed in his cottage by the river. A gun was found on the bedside table. Three glass bottles were found under the bed containing a liquid and crystalline substance. On autopsy, there were pathological changes in the heart, but the circumstances of the case were not in line with these findings. Conclusion. Sometimes, autopsy and routine toxicological analysis cannot solve the case, so it is necessary to pay special attention to unusual substances found at the scene. In such cases, all samples taken during the autopsy should be stored appropriately, in case an additional, a specific toxicological analysis is required. In this particular case, after obtaining the results of specific toxicological analysis, it was determined that it was a suicide by cyanide poisoning.