Fatal benztropine toxicity

Benztropine is an anticholinergic agent used in the treatment of Parkinson' s disease and drug induced extrapyramidal disorders. We report a case of fa tal benztropine toxicity. This drug is regarded as relatively safe and repo rts of isolated toxicity are scarce. In ascribing a particular death to fat al drug toxicity the forensic pathologist must take into account the circum stances surrounding the death, the presence and significance of any co-exis tent natural disease and the potential contribution of any other detected t herapeutic or illicit agents. This interpretation will occur in the knowled ge that certain drugs will not be detected and that with respect to quantif ication of postmortem drug levels, the notion of postmortem redistribution should always be considered.