The body of a 39-year-old man without any history of drug abuse or illness was found in a civic storage building, hanging on the cage of an elevating work platform (cherry picker). The switching panel of the elevator showed signs of ‘cage operation’. Preceding short messages and telephone calls suggested a suicide. Among other items, an open and almost empty bottle of Metasystox insecticide, a mobile (cell) phone and an empty bottle of beer were found in the cage. A residual amount of insecticide was found in the bottle. As the bottle seemed to be of older origin, it was not impossible that traces of the insecticide were present due to its original purpose and use. Thus, it was not possible to know the total amount of ingestion.
Fig.1 The deceased was hanging on the cage of an elevating work platform.
Main autopsy findings regarding strangulation:
- Strangulation rope with corresponding strangulation mark, rising from the front to the back of the neck.
- Fracture of the left superior thyroid horn with surrounding haemorrhage.
- Fluidity of cadaveric blood.
- Hypostasis of all inner organs corresponding to the hanging position.
Fig.2 Findings near the body.
Main autopsy findings regarding poisoning:
- Blue salivation of the left angle of the mouth, as well as a blue adherence on tongue and oesophagus.
- Bluish content of the stomach, similar bluish content also in the duodenum and jejunum.
- Brain oedema.
- Pulmonary oedema.
Fig.3 Strangulation mark; blue salivation.
Fig.4 Bluish contents in the duodenum.
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