Suicide by Cyanide: 17 Deaths
Gill, JR
NewYork City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.

Marker, EM
Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School Medicine, New York, NY.

Stajic, M
Forensic Toxicology Laboratory, New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and Department of Forensic Medicine, New York University School Medicine, New York, NY.

(Received 16 August 2003; Accepted 6 March 2004)

Abstract
We reviewed 17 intentional ingestions of cyanide that occurred in New York City over a ten-year interval. The toxicologic and postmortem findings were reviewed. Certain occupations and nationalities of the decedents predominated among this group of suicides. Scientists, jewelers, and metal workers were common occupations among the decedents. In addition, 8 of 17 fatalities were West Indian/Caribbean Island and South American decedents, including three decedents from Guyana. Fourteen of the 17 fatalities were male. Pink lividity, a “bitter-almond” smell, and a hemorrhagic gastric mucosa were not prevailing findings in these decedents. A color test was used for screening for cyanide with confirmation and quantitation using gas chromatography.

Keywords:
cyanide, fatality, forensic pathology, forensic science, suicide

Paper ID: JFS2003278
DOI: 10.1520/JFS2003278

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Author Gill JR, Marker EM, Stajic M Title Suicide by Cyanide: 17 Deaths Symposium , Committee on