doiSerbia

Suicide by intravenous injection of rocuronium-bromide: Case report

Nikolić Slobodan (Institut za sudsku medicinu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Atanasijević Tatjana (Institut za sudsku medicinu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Nešić Zorica (Institut za kliničku farmakologiju, farmakologiju i toksikologiju, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)
Spasić Anđelka (Institut za sudsku medicinu, Medicinski fakultet, Beograd)

Suicides by intravenous injection of an overdose of medicaments are uncommon. In this paper, we present the case of a suicide by rocuronium-bromide injection in combination with an oral overdose of metoprolol. Unfortunately, in Belgrade, there is no toxicological laboratory capable of detecting rocuronium. The interpretation of autopsy and toxicological data in this case was made difficult due to the extreme putrefaction of the body of the deceased. So, by forensic investigation, the case was solved indirectly, through circumstantial evidence: an empty ampoule of rocuronium found near the body, as well as a plastic syringe and cloth-bandage found in the left hand of the deceased.

Keywords: rocuronium, metoprolol, suicide, autopsy