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In order to corroborate the medico-legal diagnosis of vital submersion we reviewed the appropriate literature and tested Icard's initial hypothesis, already expressed in 1932, that Strontium might be a good indicator of sea-water drowning. Therefore, we examined all the bodies found either in fresh or in sea-water, and also non-drowned control cases. Strontium concentrations in both cardiac cavities and in a peripheral blood-vessel were determined by flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The statistical evaluation of the results is hereby presented. We come to the conclusion that this determination can be a valuable additional proof for sea-water drowning diagnosis, whilst freshwater drowning would be more difficult to assess. Further investigations are being undertaken.

Stomach, small intestine contents, blood, liver, kidney and urine of a 28-years old man, were analyzed for residues of Endosulfan (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10-hexachloro-1, 5, 5a, 6, 9, 9a-hexahydro-6, 9-methano-2, 4, 3-benzo(e)dioxathiepin 3-oxide). The analysis results showed the presence of high concentrations of the two endosulfan isomers in all samples. Since also alcohol was present in all the tissues analyzed, it was concluded that the victim died of a combined endosulfan-alcohol poisoning. No other drugs were found.

A thin layer chromatographic procedure for the detection of bipyridylium compounds in post-mortem human tissues is described. To verify the suitability of the method, human biological samples originating from two fatal poisoning cases, are analyzed. In the first case, an amount of Gramoxone® (Paraquat) was taken orally. Death occurred after ± 30 hours without any specific treatment. The second case is concerned with an ingestion of Reglone® (Diquat), followed by death after 5 days of intensive care treatment.

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