Quand l’activité sexuelle solitaire tourne au drame. Comment objectiver une prise de « poppers » en post-mortem ?

Abstract

Alkyl nitrites have been used as recreational drugs for some time and are often referred to as "poppers." Inhaling poppers causes short periods of euphoria and muscle relaxation.The perception of the general public and young people in particular is that there is no danger in using these drugs. Poppers are increasingly consumed in the context of “Chemsex” because they facilitate sexual intercourse and prolong arousal. It is in a context of solitary sexual practice that a man is found dead: he is wearing sadomasochistic clothing, white tablets and bottles of poppers are found near him. A forensic doctor carried out a body examination, no autopsy was carried out. He concludes to a very marked agonal syndrome that is not specific to a cause of death and a reference toxicological assessment is carried out. The toxicological results were negative regarding the search for volatile substances. This case study discusses the difficulties of revealing, through toxicological analyses, the use of poppers.