Ernst M F, Poklis A, Gantner G E
J Forensic Sci. 1982 Jan;27(1):61-5.
The performance of trained medicolegal investigators was evaluated in 100 consecutive drug deaths, which occurred from January 1978 to May 1980 in St. Louis City and County. Carbon monoxide deaths were excluded from the study. The toxic agent responsible for death, as indicated by scene investigators and the decedent's drug history, was compared to the actual toxicology laboratory findings. In 84 of the cases, the toxicant was correctly indicated by the investigators. In the remaining 16 cases, 12 were suspected to be drug deaths but the major toxicant was not indicated, and in 4 cases no drugs were suspected. The manner of death had no influence on the investigators' performance. This study demonstrates the value of trained medicolegal investigators in providing helpful information to the pathologist and toxicologist before autopsy and laboratory analyses in cases of drug deaths.
1978年1月至1980年5月期间，在圣路易斯市及县发生的100例连续药物致死案例中，对训练有素的法医学调查人员的表现进行了评估。一氧化碳致死案例被排除在研究之外。将现场调查人员和死者用药史所表明的致死毒物与实际毒理学实验室结果进行了比较。在84例案例中，调查人员正确指出了毒物。在其余16例案例中，12例被怀疑为药物致死但未指出主要毒物，4例未怀疑有药物。死亡方式对调查人员的表现没有影响。本研究证明了训练有素的法医学调查人员在药物致死案例尸检和实验室分析之前为病理学家和毒理学家提供有用信息的价值。
