The application of pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) forensic analyses to tissue samples from an "Angel of Death" investigation

The application of pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) forensic analyses to tissue samples from an "Angel of Death" investigation

The case report of a serial killer who worked at several hospitals as a respiratory therapist is presented. The suspect was initially labeled a benevolent Angel of Death who ended the suffering of elderly patients through mercy killing. However, his subsequently declared motive for homicide was very...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 50; no. 1; p. 215
Main Authors: Andresen, Brian D, Alcaraz, Armando, Grant, Patrick M
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-01-2005
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Autopsy
Drugs
Euthanasia
Exhumation
Female
Forensic Medicine - methods
Forensic sciences
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
Homicide
Humans
Male
Manslaughter
Middle Aged
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents - pharmacokinetics
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents - poisoning
Pancuronium - pharmacokinetics
Pancuronium - poisoning
Personnel, Hospital
Postmortem Changes
Respiratory Therapy
Therapists
Tissues
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Summary:The case report of a serial killer who worked at several hospitals as a respiratory therapist is presented. The suspect was initially labeled a benevolent Angel of Death who ended the suffering of elderly patients through mercy killing. However, his subsequently declared motive for homicide was very different from other similar cases in medical settings. The application of new analysis techniques for the detection of pancuronium bromide in a series of aged exhumation tissues gave positive results and led to the resultant conviction of the therapist.
ISSN:0022-1198
1556-4029
DOI:10.1520/jfs2003353