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Another suicide by sodium nitrite and multiple drugs: an alarming trend for “exit”?

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Abstract

This case report describes a fatal case of sodium nitrite and multiple drug consumption. A 37-year-old female was found in bed with a plastic bottle containing sodium nitrite and a bag containing multiple drugs and a suicide note. The results of the autopsy showed completely fixed grayish livor mortis, signs of asphyxia on the lips, and facial cyanosis. This represents the second case in just a few months and highlights how relatively easy it is to buy sodium nitrite to commit suicide, indicating that specific responses should focus on restricting its access, especially in large quantities. It was also evident that the number of web forums and shadow markets explaining how to use sodium nitrite for euthanasia (several times called the “exit”) are increasing.

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Funding

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, and royalties.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, Lisbon, Portugal

    Carlos Durão & Frederico Pedrosa

  2. Hospital Vila Franca de Xira, Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal

    Carlos Durão

  3. Department of Sciences, IINFACTS - Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Rua Central de Gandra, 1317, 4585-116, Gandra, Portugal

    Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira

  4. Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal

    Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira

  5. Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, University of Porto, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal

    Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira

Authors
  1. Carlos Durão
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  2. Frederico Pedrosa
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  3. Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira
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Correspondence to Ricardo Jorge Dinis-Oliveira.

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Durão, C., Pedrosa, F. & Dinis-Oliveira, R.J. Another suicide by sodium nitrite and multiple drugs: an alarming trend for “exit”?. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 17, 362–366 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00340-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-020-00340-2

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