Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology (대한임상독성학회지)

Korean society of Clincal Toxicology (대한임상독성학회)
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Analysis of Death Due to Poisoning in the National Capital Region (2014-2016)

수도권 부검시료에서 중독사 관련 사용물질 현황(2014-2016)

  • Park, Meejung (Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Division, Seoul Institute, National Forensic Service) ;
  • Park, Jongsin (Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Division, Seoul Institute, National Forensic Service) ;
  • Lee, Sangki (Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry Division, Seoul Institute, National Forensic Service) ;
  • In, Sangwhan (Forensic Toxicology Division, National Forensic Service)
  • 박미정 (국립과학수사연구원 서울과학수사연구소 법독성화학과) ;
  • 박종신 (국립과학수사연구원 서울과학수사연구소 법독성화학과) ;
  • 이상기 (국립과학수사연구원 서울과학수사연구소 법독성화학과) ;
  • 인상환 (국립과학수사연구원 법독성학과)
  • Received : 2017.10.31
  • Accepted : 2017.11.21
  • Published : 2017.12.31
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Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the patterns of drugs, poisons, and chemicals detected in autopsy samples performed in the Seoul Institute and other regional forensic offices of the National Forensic Service (NFS) between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The investigation carried out using the laboratory information management system. Forensic toxicological identification and quantitation were performed in autopsy samples, including heart blood, peripheral blood, liver, kidney, vitreous humor and etc. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were used to analyze the drugs and poisons. Results: Forensic autopsies were performed on 9,674 cases in this period. Based on the autopsy reports, 699 cases (7.2%) were considered as unnatural deaths caused by fatal intoxication. The number of male deaths was higher than that of female deaths, with the age of 50-59 being the most common age group. Conclusion: Drugs comprised the largest number of deaths due to poison, followed by alcohol, agrochemicals, drug with alcohol, carbon monoxide, and cyanide, in that order. Zolpidem was the most frequently used drug in all drug-related intoxication cases.

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References

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