Forensic Pathology for Police - Brainshare Public Online Library

258 11 Drug-Related and Toxin-Related Deaths
however, for many others, the toxicology laboratory must be asked to specifically
attempt to identify that particular drug or toxin. In order to know which ones might
be present, a thorough death and scene investigation must be performed. Slang or
street names are very common for drugs of abuse. It is beyond the scope of this
text to list each of these. The reader is referred to several websites to view such
listings.
Investigation of Drug-Related Deaths
Death investigators must be able to recognize drugs and drug paraphernalia while
at death scenes. Packaging materials, containers, syringes, homemade smoking
devices, scales, prescription medications, and other items should arouse suspicion
of a drug-related death (Figs. 11.1, 11.2, 11.3, and 11.4 and Disc Images 11.1 and
11.2). Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications should not be ignored.
Collecting and documenting all OTC and prescription medicines, and counting all
pills present in each container, is an essential part of a death investigator’s job.
Interviewing survivors (family, friends) can often reveal a history of drug use by
the decedent. It should be noted that, in certain circumstances, family members and
friends may attempt to clean up the scene or hide drugs and drug paraphernalia
prior to police, emergency medical personnel, or death investigator arrival at the
scene.
Another scenario involves the “dumping” of a drug death body at a site distant
from the place of death. If a drug abuser dies at a location that is being used by
other drug users, it is not uncommon for some of the living members of the group
to transport the body to a separate, isolated location. This is presumably done so as
to not disrupt the drug-use environment. Sometimes, the helpful body transporters
Fig. 11.1 Drug-related death scene. In many cases, such as the one shown, it is obvious that drugs
were involved in the death. Note the IV (intravenous) tubing and drug paraphernalia