Drug identification problems in two suicides with neuromuscular blocking agents.

Cases of suicide committed with neuromuscular blocking agents have been investigated. Both cases involved anesthesiologists who took the muscle relaxants suxamethonium chloride (Sukolin) or pipecuronium bromide (Arduan) and a rapid-acting barbiturate, 5-sec-butyl-5-ethyl-2-thiobarbituric acid (Inactin). The examinations were performed by using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The quantitative data obtained showed that doses useful in general anesthesiological practice were applied. Metabolites were found despite their fast metabolizing character.