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Related Experiment Videos

The insulin pump as murder weapon: a case report.

Butch Benedict1, Rusty Keyes, F Clark Sauls

  • 1Forrest County Coroner's Office, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA.

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|May 29, 2004
PubMed
Summary

Lethal drug doses were administered via an insulin pump in a homicide case. This novel method of drug delivery may become more common as insulin pump use increases.

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Acute coronary syndrome associated with coronary aneurysm: a case report.

The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association·2003
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Area of Science:

  • Forensic Science
  • Toxicology
  • Medical Device Technology

Background:

  • Microprocessor-controlled insulin pumps deliver short-acting insulin analogs for diabetes management.
  • These systems are technically capable of delivering various substances beyond insulin.
  • The increasing prevalence of insulin pump technology presents new avenues for criminal activity.

Observation:

  • A homicide case involved the administration of lethal etomidate and atracurium doses.
  • The drugs were delivered through the victim's subcutaneous insulin pump.
  • This represents a unique and previously undocumented method of homicide.

Findings:

  • Insulin pumps can be repurposed for clandestine administration of lethal substances.
  • Toxicological analysis confirmed the presence of etomidate and atracurium.

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  • The method highlights the vulnerability of modern medical devices to misuse.

    • Implications:

    • Homicide investigators may encounter similar cases involving medical device misuse.
    • Forensic analysis protocols may need adaptation to detect non-standard drug delivery methods.
    • The study underscores the importance of device security and monitoring in medical technology.