Medicolegal implication of an autopsy case of methidathion ingestion.

Abstract

We present an autopsy case involving ingestion of methidathion, an organothiophosphate pesticide. A headspace gas chromatography mass spectrometry system was used for screening of volatile compounds. Subsequent toxicological analysis was performed using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Xylene and ethylbenzene were detected in stomach contents. We also identified methidathion at concentrations of 3.07 and 2240 µg/ml in femoral venous blood and stomach contents, respectively. We concluded that the victim ingested methidathion insecticide, with an estimated dose of at least 9.2 g.