Eight cases of fatal and non-fatal poisoning with Taxus baccata.

This paper describes two fatalities, three non-fatal intentional and three accidental oral ingestions of yew (Taxus baccata) leaves. In all cases the post-mortem external examinations showed no signs of violence. Internal examinations revealed small green, needle-like particles on the tongue, in the esophagus and in the stomach.

Circumstantial and toxicological features of deaths from self-administered intravenous anesthetic/narcotic agents.

For a better understanding of circumstantial and toxicological findings of fatalities resulting from self-administration of intravenous anesthetic/narcotic agents, medico-legal autopsy files of the State Institute of Legal and Social Medicine Berlin from 1998 to 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Of a total of 15,300 autopsies, 9 cases of such deaths were identified, and all were health care professionals. Medical supplies for injection were found still on, or near, the body at the scene.

Death due to ingestion of nicotine-containing solution: case report and review of the literature.

Nicotine, a lipid-soluble alkaloid obtained from the dried leaves of Nicotiana, is most frequently encountered in tobacco products for smoking, chewing or sniffing as well as in a limited number of pesticides. Though nicotine is one of the most toxic drugs of abuse, it has rarely led to fatalities. Sudden death can be caused by cardiovascular arrest, respiratory muscle paralysis and/or central respiratory failure.

Multidrug poisoning involving nicotine and tramadol.

A fatal case of multidrug poisoning by tramadol and nicotine is reported. Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe acute or chronic pain. Nicotine, a lipid-soluble alkaloid, is one of the most readily available drugs in modern society.

Phenprocoumon poisonings.

Phenprocoumon is a derivative of coumarin, used as a preventative anticoagulant and in the treatment of thromboembolisms. On account of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, strict surveillance of the patient is necessary. We report on two cases of undocumented administration of this active pharmaceutical ingredient.

A series of hospital homicides.

Patient deaths in hospitals due to medical staff are very rare. In the autumn of 2006, preliminary proceedings were initiated against a nurse on account of an overdose of medication leading to death, administered during her care of the patient. In the course of these proceedings, exhibits relating to the deaths of a total of 13 patients who had died due to chemical-toxicological causes were reviewed.