Suicide by Medication Overdose in Prison: A Study of Three Cases

J Forensic Sci. 2018 Jul;63(4):1316-1320. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.13671. Epub 2017 Oct 23.

Abstract

Suicide is one of the principal causes of mortality in a prison environment. Although suicide by medication overdose is less frequent than suicide by hanging, self-strangulation, or vein cutting, it raises questions as to how the medications are obtained, particularly in view of the specific organization of the medication circuit in prisons. We present three cases of suicide by medication overdose involving different therapeutic classes with different distribution circuits and review the regulatory requirements and the measures that could be taken to prevent such suicides.

Keywords: drugs; forensic psychiatry; forensic science; mental health care; prison; suicide.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / analysis
  • Acetaminophen / poisoning
  • Adult
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / analysis
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / poisoning
  • Analgesics, Opioid / analysis
  • Analgesics, Opioid / poisoning
  • Buprenorphine / analogs & derivatives
  • Buprenorphine / analysis
  • Buprenorphine / poisoning
  • Drug Overdose*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / analysis
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / poisoning
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prisoners*
  • Suicide*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives
  • Acetaminophen
  • Buprenorphine
  • norbuprenorphine