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A fatal chronic ketamine poisoning
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical School of Soochow University, Suzhou 215007, PR China. luyangtao@suda.edu.cn
Journal of Forensic Sciences
|April 16, 2005
Summary
This case study details a rare homicide involving chronic ketamine poisoning, a method previously undocumented in human fatalities. Forensic analysis revealed characteristic cardiac pathology in the victim, confirming the cause of death.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Cardiovascular Pathology
Background:
- Acute ketamine poisoning deaths are documented.
- Chronic ketamine poisoning as a homicide method is not previously reported in humans.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old woman died at home.
- Court investigation indicated chronic poisoning by her husband over one year.
Findings:
- Gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) detected ketamine in autopsy specimens.
- Ketamine concentrations: 21 microg/mL (gastric), 3.8 microg/mL (blood), 1.2 microg/mL (urine).
- Cardiac findings included muscle fibrosis and arterial hyaline degeneration, mirroring animal study results.
Implications:
- This case establishes chronic ketamine poisoning as a viable, albeit unusual, homicide method.
- Highlights the importance of toxicological analysis in unexplained deaths.
- Suggests potential for similar cardiac pathology in chronic human ketamine exposure.