Causes and Manners of Death Among Users of Heroin, Methadone, Amphetamine, and Cannabis in Relation to Postmortem Chemical Tests for Illegal Drugs

Abstract

A 12-year medicolegal investigation of deceased illegal drug users (ILDU) in Stockholm, Sweden, classified on the basis of postmortem chemical tests, showed noticeable variations in causes and manners of death as well as in the distribution of suicide methods. This study offers objective information about connection between the postmortem findings of illegal drugs and the causes and manners of death of their users. However, further studies, comparing prevalence of drug use in general population and at the postmortem tests, are needed for more detailed elucidation of this connection.

Keywords:

• causes and manners of death
• suicide methods
• heroin
• methadone
• amphetamine
• cannabis