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Journal Article

Citation

Ketola RA, Viinamäki J, Rasanen I, Pelander A, Goebeler S. Forensic Sci. Int. 2015; 249: e7-11.

Affiliation

National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Department of Forensic Medicine, P.O. Box 30, FI-00271 Helsinki, Finland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.01.032

PMID

25684328

Abstract

Kavalactones are a group of compounds found in kava, a beverage or extract prepared from the rhizome of the kava plant (Piper methysticum). Traditionally kava extracts have been used for their anxiolytic and sedative properties. Sales of kava extracts were severely restricted or prohibited in European countries in 2002 following several cases of serious hepatotoxicity. Here we report a case where high concentrations of kavalactones and ethanol were detected in post mortem femoral blood. An injection needle with a 10-mL syringe containing 7.5mL of slightly yellowish liquid was found next to the victim, and there were numerous needle prints on both lower arms following the venous tracks. No evidence of other cause of death was found in the medico-legal investigation. The case was therefore classified as suicide using an injection of kavalactones intravenously together with alcohol poisoning.


Language: en

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