ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 19 February 2004
Page Count: 3

Fatal Bupivacaine Intoxication Following Unusual Erotic Practices
Yazzie, J
Toxicology Bureau, NM

Zumwalt, RE
New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, NM

Kelly, SC
New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, NM

Kerrigan, S
Toxicology Bureau, NM

(Received 4 June 2003; accepted 8 November 2003)

Abstract

A fatal drug overdose is described which involved unusual erotic practices. A 54-year-old male was discovered supine on the floor surrounded by sexual paraphernalia, syringes, and medications including three empty bottles of bupivacaine. Acute and chronic injection sites of the external genitalia with contusions, scarring, focal necrosis, and calcification were present at autopsy. Toxicology revealed femoral blood, heart blood, and vitreous bupivacaine concentrations of 3.8, 2.8 and 1.3 mg/L, respectively. The urine bupivacaine concentration was 11.4 mg/L. The cause of death was attributed to bupivacaine intoxication and the manner of death was accidental.

Keywords:
forensic science, toxicology, bupivacaine, toxicity

Paper ID: JFS2003193
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003193
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