SUICIDE BY ENVIRONMENTAL HYPOXIA (FORCED DEPLETION OF OXYGEN)

Suicidal suffocation by forced oxygen depletion (environmental hypoxia ) with carbon dioxide (CO2) and with propane is discussed in two cases . No toxicologic proof was available with the former and circumstantia l evidence weighed heavily. The latter case demonstrated inhaled propa ne by an on-scene transthoracic aspirate; all other toxicology specime ns, including brain, liver, blood, kidney, fat, and vitreous, did not contain hydrocarbons. This second fatality was complicated by multi-ag ent overdose, including diphenhydramine, fluoxetine (Prozac), and nord iazepam. The designation of these deaths as due to oxygen depletion in volved careful scrutiny of the autopsy, toxicologic, and scene finding s. Complete analysis of all factors surrounding these rarely encounter ed suffocation deaths is stressed.