[hermantheshocker]

This individual died acutely after injecting heroin into the back of her right hand. She was found frozen in rigor mortis while seated on the bed with her head down. Note the significant lividity to her arms and face. There were sclera hemorrhages, due to gravity causing marked lividity, which in the absence of a proper scene investigation could be misinterpreted as being caused by neck compression. Heroin is a Schedule I controlled substance and a synthetic derivative of morphine. It is made by first extracting morphine from opium and then chemically treating the morphine with acetic anhydride, sodium chloride, and hydrochloric acid.


Fig.1 She was found frozen in rigor mortis while seated on the bed with her head down.


Fig.2 Note the significant lividity to her arms and face.

Once it is taken into the body, most frequently by injection, smoking, or inhalation, the heroin is rapidly deacetylated to 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM), a product that is then hydrolyzed at somewhat of a slower rate to morphine. Unlike the heroin, which has little affinity for the opiate receptors in brain tissue, both 6-MAM and morphine are pharmacologically active. Because 6-MAM is a specific product of heroin, if it is found to be present in a biological specimen, it may be concluded that the individual either used or was exposed to heroin at some point prior to death. However, due in part to the short half-life of 6-MAM, morphine is most often the predominant species detected in biological specimens. Therefore, in cases where heroin is suspected to be the lethal agent and morphine is found in the blood, but 6-MAM is not, it may be of benefit to test an alternate specimen type such as urine or vitreous fluid for the presence of this heroin-specific marker as well.


Fig.3 She died acutely after injecting heroin into the back of her right hand.

The primary toxic manifestations of heroin use may last for approximately 4–6 hours and include the same effects most commonly associated with other opioids. Some of the more common effects include, but are not limited to, drowsiness, loss of coordination, decreased blood pressure, decreased pulse and respiration, mental clouding, sedation, and sweating. At sufficiently high levels, the user may slip into a coma and ultimately stop breathing.

Help a Person Who May be Struggling with Addiction

• If you or someone close to you needs help for a substance use disorder, talk to your doctor or call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP or go to SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator.
• Learn about naloxone, a life-saving drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered in time.
• Good Samaritan Laws in your state protect overdose victims and people seeking medical help for an overdose victim from drug possession charges.

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This post is for educational purposes only and is nonprofit. Under Section 107 of the US Copyright Act of 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. OP is not a medical expert. No copyright infringement intended. This post does not encourage or glorify violence/harassment. Images might have been upscaled and enhanced. Text might have been shortened and simplified/reorganized for online view.

[William May]

A sad end. Heroin is a cruel mistress.

[Moloko]

Nice floor. I thought they were swastikas at first, but then I remembered that my eyesight has deteriorated and I'd rather spend money on anything else than glasses.

[peachpie]

Dang I miss heroin sometimes.

[LittleNightmare]

Originally Posted by Moloko ↗

Nice floor. I thought they were swastikas at first, but then I remembered that my eyesight has deteriorated and I'd rather spend money on anything else than glasses.

I had that same floor where I live, and my sister came over and said I had swastikas on my floor

[northernlights]

Thanks Hermann, excellent post as always and also quite relevant with the times as so many are using that shit.

[normdiaz]

Looks like she hadn't finished furnishing that room.

[oudja]

Very uncommon and interresting post. Which country?

I wonder if she died quickly or if this was a painful end. Seems she curled up (of pain?) and then died in that position.

[murofhsirgo]

Personal affects slowly dwindling away. Sad but maybe she checked out before the really fucked up devolution started kicking in

[Hogmann]

Think this is a repost. Swear I've seen it before.