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Heroin fatality due to penile injection.
C L Winek1, W W Wahba, L Rozin
1School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|April 20, 1999
Summary
A rare heroin overdose fatality occurred via penile injection. This case highlights the extreme risks of intravenous drug use, complicated by high ethanol levels, leading to combined intoxication.
Area of Science:
- Forensic toxicology
- Clinical toxicology
- Addiction medicine
Background:
- Heroin overdose is a common cause of death among opioid users.
- Unusual routes of drug administration can lead to unpredictable toxicological outcomes.
Observation:
- A case of fatal heroin overdose is presented where the drug was injected into the penis.
- Toxicological analysis revealed significant morphine and ethanol concentrations in various biological samples.
Findings:
- Morphine levels: Blood (0.68 µg/ml), Urine (0.49 µg/ml), Bile (0.32 µg/ml), Vitreous humor (0.062 µg/ml).
- Ethanol levels: Blood (104 mg/dl), Urine (124 mg/dl), Bile (106 mg/dl), Vitreous humor (94 mg/dl).
- The cause of death was attributed to combined heroin and ethanol intoxication.
Implications:
- This case underscores the severe risks associated with unconventional injection sites for illicit drugs.
- It emphasizes the critical role of comprehensive toxicological screening in post-mortem investigations.
- Highlights the potentiating effect of ethanol on opioid toxicity.