Christakis-Hampsas M., Tsatsakis A.M., Assithianakis P., Alegakis A., Michalodimitrakis E.M.

Toxicology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Crete, Stavrakia, Iraklion, PO Box 1393, 71409 Crete, Greece

Acute poisoning with lethal and non-lethal outcome examined in the Toxicology Laboratory of University Hospital of Iraklion, Crete which is concerned mainly with drugs of abuse (heroine, flunitrazepam and other psychoactive substances) and accidental poisonings or suicide attempts with pesticides (carbamates, organophosphates, paraquat) and other chemicals (cyanide salts, chlorine, etc.). Many of these cases were also due to hinalation of poisonous gases (carbon monoxide, methyl bromide, etc.). A lethal case due to alcohol overdose and another due to exctasy (MDMA) have been examined. Amphetamine (MDEA) and alcohol related deaths due to drowning have recently occurred. Finally a significant number of cases were related to accidental ingestion of alcohol/drugs or suicide attempts of children. Some of the cases were treated successfully in various hospitals of Crete while others had a fatal outcome either due to an overdose or late admission to the nearest Hospital.
Methods. The analysis of the biological samples (blood, vomit, urine, gastric fluids, tissues etc.) was performed using a variety of techniques: a) screening tests (colour tests, immuno-enzymatic methods like Fluorescence Polarisation Immunoassay, cholinesterase activity) and b) confirmation tests and quantitative determination of poison (Thin Layer Chromatography, Gas Chromatography and/or High Performance Liquid Chromatography).
Conclusion. Usually death cases of acute poisoning were officially not classified as suicides due to religious reasons. Toxicological report was submitted to investigative authorities in addition to death certificate of the forensic pathologist. In the last three years an increase of incoming death cases was observed in our Laboratory, mainly attributed to drugs of abuse.