Toxicology and Circumstances of Death of Homicide Victims in New South Wales, Australia 1996–2005 |
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| Authors: | Shane Darke Ph.D. Johan Duflou M.Med.Path. F.R.C.P.A. |
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| Affiliation: | National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.;
Department of Forensic Medicine, Sydney South West Area Health Service;School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney;Department of Pathology, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia. |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: To determine the prevalence and circumstances of psychoactive substances amongst homicide victims, 485 consecutive cases autopsied at the NSW Department of Forensic Medicine (1/1/1996–12/31/2005) were analyzed. Substances were detected in 62.6% of cases, and illicit drugs in 32.8%. Alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and psychostimulants were most commonly detected. Alcohol and cannabis were both more prevalent amongst males. Mean ages were significantly younger for decedents who tested positive for a substance and for an illicit drug. Cases where death resulted from a physical altercation were more likely to have had alcohol and cannabis present. Illicit drugs were prominent amongst firearms deaths. The proportion of alcohol positive cases increased from 25.0% on Monday to 49.4% for Saturdays/Sundays. Alcohol was more common in incidents in the 0001–0600 h and 1800–2400 h periods. Psychoactive substances appear to substantially increase the risk of homicide, although there are important differences between drug classes in the circumstances of such incidents. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science homicide toxicology illicit drugs |
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