Expertise toxicologique médico-légale : étude rétrospective des cas analyses en 2023 et 2024

Abstract

Introduction Post-mortem toxicological analyses play a crucial role in determining the causes of death and identifying the substances involved. Objectives Collecting and analyzing findings from intoxication cases to identify trends, substances involved and the implications for forensic medicine. Methods A retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the toxicology department of CHU SETIF, based on information sheets received over a two-year period, from January 1st, 2023, to December 31th, 2024. Results In of a total of 787 autopsy cases introduced to toxicological analysis, the male sex constitutes the majority, with 73.6% of the population. The average age is approximately 40 years, with the majority of cases, 54.9%, observed in the 19 to 50 age group. In 7.88% of cases, at least one substance was detected. Alcohol tested positive in 5.21% (47 out of 542 tested deceased), followed by medications at a rate of 4.83%, HbCO at 39.81% (41 cases), narcotics at 3.18% (25 cases), and pesticides in last place with only two positive cases. Carbamazepine and Pregabalin top the list of consumed substances (23.81% each), followed by Valproic Acid and Benzodiazepines (14.29%). Cannabis (THC) leads the detected drugs in urine screening with 68%, or 17 positive cases out of 25, followed by Ecstasy (20%) and Cocaine (12%). Conclusion Forensic toxicology, combined with autopsy findings, forms a key element of the medico-legal report