Intoxicación letal por opio por el consumo de ejemplares silvestres de Papaver somniferum

Abstract

A new fatality due to opium consumption is reported here and the importance of Forensic Toxicology in clarifying this death is highlighted. The deceased was a 20-year-old male who, after collecting opium poppy capsules (Papaver somniferum L) which grew wild in a field near Toledo and consuming his latex (opium), died the next day after presenting respiratory difficulties. The Autopsy revealed congestive lungs and blood and vitreous humor samples were submitted to the Drugs service of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences in Madrid, as well as a piece of vegetal substance, which was identified as hashis. Cannabinoids, amphetamine and opium alkaloids (morphine, codeine, noscapine and tebaine) were found in the toxicologycal analysis. As conclusion, a violent death of accidental etiology due to mixed drug intoxication is here presented. In our opinion, the opium consumption had a preponderant toxic role in this fatality.