Correctly Identifying Deaths Due to Drug Toxicity Without a Forensic Autopsy.

The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
Daniel W DyeGregory G Davis

Abstract

In 2005, the National Association of Medical Examiners approved the Forensic Autopsy Performance Standards. Standard B3.7 indicates that a forensic pathologist shall perform a forensic autopsy when the death is by apparent intoxication by alcohol, drugs, or poison.The Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner Office has observed an increase in our caseload by 10% per year since 2012. We designed a study to determine if a pathologist could correctly classify the cause of death (COD) and manner of death (MOD) of suspected drug-related deaths without information from the internal examination. The determination of the COD and MOD was then compared with the case file, which includes information from the internal examination and microscopy, to determine agreement between the case file and the reclassification. The percent correct for COD and MOD was calculated, and kappa values were calculated for MOD.The pathologists were able to correctly classify the COD in 73% of cases. For MOD, 2 pathologists achieved substantial agreement between the test cases and the actual case file. The third pathologist had moderate agreement. These findings indicate that a full postmortem examination is necessary to correctly classify the COD/MOD in cases...Continue Reading

References

Aug 29, 2006·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·Garry F PetersonUNKNOWN National Association of Medical Examiners
Aug 29, 2006·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·Steven C Clark, Garry F Peterson
May 26, 2007·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·Amy C GruszeckiGregory G Davis
Mar 21, 2017·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Heather I-Hsuan Chen, Joyce deJong
Apr 21, 2018·Anesthesia and Analgesia·Thomas R Vetter, Patrick Schober

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Citations

May 15, 2020·The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology·Gregory G DavisRuth E Winecker
Jan 28, 2021·Cancers·Tamsin Joy RobbCherie Blenkiron

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