Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
06:53
A Rat Carotid Artery Pressure-Controlled Segmental Balloon Injury with Periadventitial Therapeutic Application
Published on: July 9, 2020
Suicide by sodium nitrite: Autopsy case report.
Dragan Ječmenica1, Snežana Pavlekić1, Vladimir Živković1
1Institute of Forensic Medicine "Milovan Milovanović", University of Belgrade - School of Medicine, 31a Deligradska str., 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Legal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|January 12, 2025
Summary
Suicide by sodium nitrite poisoning (SNP) is rare but increasing. Forensic analysis of a fatal case revealed nonspecific autopsy signs, highlighting challenges in identifying this method of self-harm.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Toxicology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Suicide by sodium nitrite poisoning (SNP) is uncommon.
- A recent increase in SNP-related suicides has been observed globally.
Observation:
- A case involved a 47-year-old female found deceased with evidence of sodium nitrite and metoclopramide.
- Autopsy revealed general signs of asphyxia with unusual bluish-brown hypostasis.
- Toxicology confirmed elevated nitrites, nitrates, methemoglobin, and metoclopramide.
Findings:
- Autopsy findings for SNP are often nonspecific and subjective.
- The grayish-brown hypostasis is characteristic but may be overlooked.
- Illicit acquisition of sodium nitrite, despite regulations, was noted.
Implications:
- Fatal SNP cases pose diagnostic challenges in forensic practice due to rarity and nonspecificity.
- This case highlights the potential for individuals to access and misuse regulated substances.
- The sophisticated use of metoclopramide suggests a high level of knowledge, possibly indicating suicide by intellectuals.
Related Concept Videos
01:202° Amines to N-Nitrosamines: Reaction with NaNO2
Secondary amines react with nitrous acid to form N-nitrosamines, as depicted in Figure 1. Nitrous acid, a weak and unstable acid, is formed in situ from an aqueous solution of sodium nitrite and strong acids, such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, in cold conditions. In the presence of an acid, the nitrous acid gets protonated. The subsequent loss of water results in the formation of the electrophile known as nitrosonium ion.
01:26Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management
Nursing Assessment:Nursing management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves taking the patient's history, focusing on primary complaints such as chest pain, dyspnea, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis), as well as other symptoms like back or jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. The nurse also reviews the patient's history of cardiac events, risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, family history, and current medications.In the objective assessment,...