Drug facilitated sexual assault with lethal outcome: GHB intoxication in a six-year-old girl

Forensic Science International : Synergy
Lena-Maria MehlingCornelius Hess

Abstract

A very serious case of DFSA (drug facilitated sexual assault) is presented, in which a six-year-old girl died following sedation with γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). She had been sexually abused by a relative. Samples of cardiac blood, bile, vitreous humour, liver, kidney, brain tissues and hair were analysed by a LC-MS/MS method. The following GHB concentrations were determined: cardiac blood: 150 mg/l; bile: 292mg/l; vitreous humour: 58mg/l; liver: 100 mg/kg; kidney: 124.5 mg/kg, brain: 110 mg/kg. Very high GHB levels were found in the proximal part of the hair sample (about 40.9 ng/mg). In distal segments of hair - up to 12 cm distant from the hair scalp - GHB concentrations were higher than the overall found endogenous range of 2-3 ng/mg. Police investigations revealed that the uncle had also administered GHB to the older half-sister. Therefore, a sample of her hair was analysed accordingly, but unremarkable results were obtained. Comparing our toxicological results with police investigations and the offender's statements it can be assumed that the 6-year-old girl had ingested GHB. By exclusion of other causes of death a lethal intoxication with GHB could be confirmed.

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Citations

Apr 21, 2017·Journal of Forensic Sciences·Erwan Le GarffValery Hédouin
Oct 12, 2018·Clinical Toxicology : the Official Journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists·Francesco Paolo Busardò, Alan Wayne Jones
Oct 11, 2019·International Journal of Legal Medicine·J KietzerowH Andresen-Streichert
Aug 2, 2017·Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine : CCLM·Francesco Paolo BusardòPascal Kintz
Aug 14, 2018·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Guido PellettiSusi Pelotti
Mar 28, 2021·Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine·M G GarcíaI Legaz

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