engleski

Drug-related deaths in Split, 1988-1994

Aim. Analysis of all cases of drug-related deaths recorded in the Split region from 1988 to 1994. Method. Records on all (N=53) drug- related deaths were examined at the Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Split University Hospital. Social heteroanamnestic data (age, occupation, location of death, histological and toxicological findings) were compiled for all drug addicts by reviewing autopsy reports, death certificates and their clinical records. Results. Out of 53 recorded drug-related deaths, 42 (79.2%) cases were subjected to a full forensic autopsy. Histological examination was carried out in 36 (67.9%) cases and toxicological in 25 (47.2%) cases. Histologically, shock with hypoxic failure of multiple organ systems, most evident in lungs ('narcotic lung'), was observed in all cases. Out of 25 analyzed cases, heroin metabolites were proved in 16 (64%). The overall male-female ratio was 13.3:1 and the mean age was 25.7±6.4 years. Conclusion. The precise categorization of drug-related deaths should be established, based on full forensic autopsy with histological and toxicological studies, including the diagnosis of infectious diseases, especially AIDS and hepatitis.

drug-related deaths, split region, forensic medicine

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