RESUMEN
The aim of this is to review deaths associated with the use of Riot Control Agents (RCAs) and to assess how the presenting pathologies is such cases may better inform cause of death conclusions upon autopsy. We also sought to present which additional steps should be added to the Minnesota protocol and the European harmonization of medico-legal autopsy rules in suspected cases of deaths associated with the use of RCAs. We included 10 lethal cases in our study. In three cases, RCAs were found to be the sole cause of death, in three cases RCAs were ruled a secondary cause of death due asphyxia or asthma subsequent to exposure to RCAs and in four cases RCAs were contributory factors to death. In three cases the responsible agents were identified as Chloroacetophenone (CN), Chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) and Oleoresin capsicum (OC) and in the remaining 7 cases, the agent was OC alone. As there are no specific findings in suspected cases of death associated with RCA use, establishing cause of death and whether RCAs are the sole cause or only a contributory factor will be based on the elimination of other possible causes of death. For this reason, a specifically structured autopsy is essential. This specifically structured autopsy should contain basic principles of the Minnesota Protocol and the European harmonization of medico-legal autopsy rules with the following additional steps taken: examination of clothing, eyes, and skin; examination of pharyngeal, tracheobronchial, and eusophegeal mucosas; and a thorough recording of the steps taken by the party conducting the arrest, including other possible causes of in-custody death, as well as a detailed medical history of the deceased.
Asunto(s)
Patologia Forense/métodos , Sustancias para Control de Disturbios Civiles/efectos adversos , Sustancias para Control de Disturbios Civiles/envenenamiento , Adulto , Asfixia/inducido químicamente , Asma/inducido químicamente , Toxicología Forense , Humanos , Masculino , Anamnesis , Persona de Mediana Edad , Miocardio/patología , Extractos Vegetales/efectos adversos , Extractos Vegetales/envenenamiento , Mucosa Respiratoria/patología , Sistema Respiratorio/patología , o-Clorobencilidenomalonitrila/efectos adversos , o-Clorobencilidenomalonitrila/envenenamiento , omegacloroacetofenona/efectos adversos , omegacloroacetofenona/envenenamientoRESUMEN
Clinical manifestations of lacrimator exposure can be immediate or significantly delayed. In both phases, the sequelae can be severe and life-threatening. As personal protection devices, these agents have become readily available to the public in many areas of the country. Emergency physicians should gain a firm understanding of the presentation, management, and disposition of the lacrimator-exposed patient. A case of accidental prolonged lacrimator exposure inducing pulmonary edema and bronchospasm is presented.
Asunto(s)
Espasmo Bronquial/inducido químicamente , Edema Pulmonar/inducido químicamente , Gases Lacrimógenos/envenenamiento , omegacloroacetofenona/envenenamiento , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Intoxicación/diagnóstico , Intoxicación/terapiaRESUMEN
2-Chloroacetophenone (CN) and o-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile (CS) are the most common chemical agents used as lacrimators in the United States. There is a lack of complete spectral data on these compounds in the literature. Spectral data (ultraviolet, fluorescence, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared) and a gas-liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric method are presented that differentiate and identify CN and CS. These methods and data were used to identify a forensic science specimen from an accidental intoxication.
Asunto(s)
Cromatografía de Gases y Espectrometría de Masas , Nitrilos/análisis , Espectrofotometría , Gases Lacrimógenos/análisis , o-Clorobencilidenomalonitrila/análisis , omegacloroacetofenona/análisis , Humanos , Gases Lacrimógenos/envenenamiento , o-Clorobencilidenomalonitrila/envenenamiento , omegacloroacetofenona/envenenamientoRESUMEN
The development of riot control agents is reviewed with emphasis on the major factors influencing the selection and deployment of those agents in current use. Typical agents, irrespective of their chemical nature, cause unpleasant symptoms involving the eyes, skin, mouth, nose and respiratory tract. Ideally, these symptoms cause the sufferer to seek escape from exposure and resolve within 15-30 minutes after exposure has ceased. The medical management of casualties is discussed, with particular consideration of the problems likely to be referred to a Poison Control Centre.
Asunto(s)
Sustancias para la Guerra Química , Sustancias para Control de Disturbios Civiles , Aerosoles , Animales , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/historia , Sustancias para la Guerra Química/envenenamiento , Química , Dibenzoxazepinas/envenenamiento , Cobayas , Historia del Siglo XVIII , Historia del Siglo XIX , Historia del Siglo XX , Historia Medieval , Humanos , Irritantes/toxicidad , Ratones , Conejos , Sustancias para Control de Disturbios Civiles/historia , Sustancias para Control de Disturbios Civiles/envenenamiento , Especificidad de la Especie , Gases Lacrimógenos/envenenamiento , o-Clorobencilidenomalonitrila/envenenamiento , omegacloroacetofenona/envenenamientoRESUMEN
When the lacrimatory agent chloroacetophenone was released into 44 prisoner cells, 8 prisoners required hospitalization and 20 more received outpatient physician care for injuries. Contact with water contributed to the injuries caused by chloroacetophenone, but prolonged exposure in a confined space was probably the principal cause of morbidity. In a confined space the lacrimatory agent chloroacetophenone is relatively toxic.