Abstract
Despite repeated warnings, newspaper reports of fatalities and public health and safety campaigns; accidental deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning continue to occur. They can be from accident, ignorance, criminal negligence or foolhardiness; what ever the reason such deaths are tragic and often avoidable. The case presented here was some of these. The physiology and biochemistry is discussed as well as other unusual causes of death by suffocation. This includes the use and abuse of helium from party balloons and nitrous oxide from the misuse of whipped cream dispensers provoking near suffocation and the occasional deaths, though fortunately rare. The request to attend a sudden al though the death may often be many days, if not weeks old, is never pleasant. However, it is always instructive and often the most interesting, challenging and satisfying of all the work that a forensic medical examiner (FME) does. The approach should be methodical and with care and attention to detail. An awareness of the causes of injuries, forms and types of self-harm, presence of knives, drugs or weapons, and the changes after death are all part of the consideration that the experienced FME can bring to bear in assisting the police. Initial assessment if this is a natural death, a death by misadventure, a death by suicide or perhaps murder is all part of the work of the FME. Paramedics are now increasingly allowed to pronounce life extinct without any of the experience or forensic training of the FME and, in the case presented here, it is doubtful if the former would have spotted what had actually caused this death.
Highlights
Despite repeated warnings, newspaper reports of fatalities and public health and safety campaigns; accidental deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning continue to occur
M, a managed in his 70’s, at Streatham SW16, South London at the request of the Police to establish the absence of life and, if confirmed, to pronounce life extinct
According to the police controller, it was reported as a “sudden death” with no other information at that time
Summary
On a Thursday in December 2001 at 12:55 hours I attended the body of R. I pronounced life extinct at 13:01 hours due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.As, in my opinion, he had died from carbon monoxide poisoning, I asked that the case be referred urgently to the coroner for further advice and instruction before the body was moved or the scene disturbed [3]. It is essential, vital, to take photographs at the scene regardless of whatever suggestions or initial thoughts one might have regarding the nature of the death that one has been called to. General view of the body lying on the right side, blue pillow, pink blanket and detail of candle lighting
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