Suicidal Death by Nicotine Poisoning.
10.7580/kjlm.2014.38.4.167
- Author:
Young Jin JUN
;
Hyoungjoong KIM
;
Sohyung PARK
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Nicotine;
Suicide;
Poisoning
- MeSH:
Autopsy;
Eating;
Humans;
Middle Aged;
Nicotine*;
Pesticides;
Poisoning*;
Respiratory Insufficiency;
Respiratory Paralysis;
Suicide;
Tobacco;
Tobacco Products;
Tobacco, Smokeless
- From:Korean Journal of Legal Medicine
2014;38(4):167-170
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Nicotine is a water-soluble alkaloid extracted from tobacco plants, and most frequently encountered in snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco or in a limited number of pesticides. Nicotine overdose or poisoning might be serious or fatal and lead to death; caused by cardiovascular arrest, respiratory muscle paralysis, and/or central respiratory failure due to its toxic effect. Suicide by nicotine ingestion has been rarely reported due to emetic response. We present a case of suicidal nicotine poisoning. A 56-year-old man was found dead and the postmortem examination revealed no injury or disease. We confirmed a high concentration of nicotine in the toxicological test. Through scene investigation, we determined this case as a suicidal nicotine poisoning.
