Citation

Patel F. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2011; 18(7): 340-342.

Affiliation

Greater London Forensic Medical Practice, Dennis Geffen Health Annexe, St Pancras Gardens, Camley Street, Kings Cross, London NW1 0PP, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2011.06.014

PMID

21907942

Abstract

Rotenone is a pesticide and a piscicide derived from the derris root. The mechanism for the cytotoxicity is at mitochondrial level affecting cellular respiration. A suicide by rotenone poisoning in an adult is described. An innovative laboratory methodology was developed for the principal requirement of the Coroner to determine a positive or negative result to assist in the investigation of the death. The antemortem concentrations detected were 4.05 ng/ml [0.00405 ppm] in the blood and 0.55 ng/ml [0.00055 ppm] in the serum. Toxicity in human is rare and therefore the interpretation of the toxicology results is complicated by the unavailability of a data bank. The cause of death was attributed to rotenone toxicity based on the circumstantial evidence and expert pathological opinion on a balance of probability acceptable under the Coroners Act 1988 and Coroners Rules 1984 in England and Wales. The forensic clinicopathology of rotenone toxicity is discussed.

Language: en