JIST

Abstract

Ketamine is easily available in hospitals as it is used as anesthetic agent in short duration surgical procedures. The abuse of ketamine has gained popularity in recent years. There is increased use of ketamine as a recreational drug. However, homicidal deaths due to ketamine poisoning are rare and also very few studies are available on this subject. Here we are reporting 2 deaths due to intravenous injections by a paramedic, who used to work in a private hospital, to kill his wife and daughter on suspicion of infidelity. In our case series, ketamine concentration detected in heart blood sample on chemical analysis of case 1 was 0.92 mg/L and in case 2 was 0.98 mg/L, which is the lowest concentration reported in literature in heart blood in which ketamine intoxication was ruled as the cause of death.