복어독(Tetrodotoxin, TTX)과 관련된 국내 변사사건의 특성에 대한 고찰 및 제언

Abstract

Humans frequently come into contact with buffer fish as food material, in which contain natural toxins. Although toxins from puffer fish can show toxicity within a certain period of time after ingestion, the consumption of a lethal dose of toxins can lead humans to death. In the case of unnatural death, it is difficult to distinguish the accidental, unintentional death by toxin ingestion from intentional death because the changes and the signs of the deceased body due to the consumption of natural toxic substance is not clearly shown. Here we analyzed and discussed the characteristics of unusual deaths associated with puffer fish poisoning in Korea. In this study, we analyzed the incidents of puffer fish poisoning reported in scientific crime analysis system (SCAS) of Korea for 10 years from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. We analyzed the basic information of the deceased who died by puffer fish poisoning and specific poisoning signs. To further investigate the relationship between the unnatural death and puffer fish poisoning, the feature of the area, place where the poisoning happened and puffer fish consumption according to the type of death were examined. The reason for the lack of detection of natural toxins in the accidental poisoning case is related not only to the low incidence rate and lacking distinguishable bodily signs but also to the policy of the toxicant inspection administered by the National Forensic Service. Scientific investigators may request additional toxicology testing related to natural toxins for the Department of Toxicology, also need access for the crime scene with proper understanding of natural toxins.