ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 11

Analysis of Cocaine-Positive Fatalities
Gross, E
Associate professor of forensic medicine, New York University School of Medicine, NY

Wu, J
Resident, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, MA

Tardiff, K
Associate professor and professor, Cornell University Medical College, NY

Stajic, M
Director of toxicology, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, NY

Millman, R
Associate professor and professor, Cornell University Medical College, NY

(Received 28 March 1988; accepted 19 April 1988)

Abstract

A review of all autopsy and toxicology reports for persons dying in New York City in an 11-month period found 935 persons dying with cocaine in their bodies. Cocaine-positive fatalities were more likely in the young black and Hispanic and male population. In addition to cocaine and its metabolites, heroin and other opiates were found in 39% of persons and ethanol in 33% and barbituates and minor tranquilizers in only 2% of the deceased. Cocaine overdose was responsible for 4% of the deaths and overdose with heroin and cocaine for 12% of the deaths. Violence was often the cause of death. Thirty-eight percent died of homicide, seven percent of suicide, and eight percent from accidents. Of particular interest were 6 persons who died of acute cardiac events directly related to cocaine as well as 4 cases of ruptured dissections of the ascending aorta, and 9 cases of cerebral hemorrhage. Autopsy findings for these individuals are described, and possible mechanisms of death are discussed.

Keywords:
toxicology, pathology and biology, cocaine, death

Paper ID: JFS12610J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS12610J
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